Marrakesh is the capital of the Marrakesh-Tensift-El Haouz region in Morocco. The building of Marrakesh began in 1070 by the Almoravid leader, Abu Bakr Ibn Umar. It is now the fourth largest city in Morocco. Marrakesh has quite a diverse population with over 10% of its population being an international community of mainly Europeans.
Marrakesh has two cities that stand side by side the old fortified city (medina) and the modern city. It boasts the biggest traditional market in Morroco and the largest and busiest square in Africa. Visitors to Marrakesh should not miss visiting this large square, known as Djemma El Fna. The square is situated in the heart of the old city and here you will find storytellers, musicians and dancers. Many shows take place in the square during the day, but you will be expected to pay some Dirhams for the opportunity to watch them. You will see snake charmers, men with monkeys and many other sights. There is a large array of stalls where you can buy a large variety of items.
Koutoubia Mosque is situated near the Djemma El Fna. The mosques minaret is said to be to Marrakesh as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris so it is definitely worth a visit. The Saadian Tombs have been amazingly preserved as they were only discovered in the early 20th century. Here you will find an example of how the tombs were in their glory days and you will be able to see stunning examples of Moroccan tiles and other decorations. You will also find the tombs of some Jews and Christians and it is interesting to note the different ways that these were demarcated and the different direction that these tombs face.
The El Badi Palace has been destroyed, however there are some underground passageways that visitors are able to explore and it boasts a fantastic view from the terrace. The El Bahia Palace belonged to a nobleman in 19th century Morocco. It is beautifully and ornately decorated. You can organize a guided tour to take you around the building and grounds of this palace. Set in an old palace, the Musee Dar si Said houses many artifacts from Morocco's history. If you are looking for a break from the bustle of the city, the Majorelle Gardens are an excellent choice. They contain plants from around the world as well as the Museum of Islamic Art.
There are a number of options for accommodation in Marrakesh. There are also three main areas where you can find accommodation so you need to decide your budget and where you would like to be. The Medina contains mostly cheap hotels, youth hostels, backpacker hostels and ryads. Ryads are old grand houses that have been converted to hotels and inns. Gueliz contains many mid-range priced hotels that often offer breakfast and showers in the rooms. The areas surrounding the city are where you will find the large tourist hotels. They may be far out of the city itself, but they will offer all of the amenities that will make your stay more comfortable.
Spirits Of The Red City
Melaka is the oldest capital city in the state of Malaysia and it is the center of Malaccan history as well. There are many preserved landmarks that represent the essence of Malaccan history right from the occupation of Dutch, Portuguese, British and Japanese. Today, Melaka has been established as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and shouldn't be missed when visiting Malaysia.
Most of the interesting travel spots in Melaka are concentrated in the center of the city. The famous Jonker Walk or Jalan Hang Jebat is known for its extensive antique pieces and great food options. New cafes and specialty stores nicely dotted the area which only added charm to this amazing lane. Peranakan architecture is very apparent in Jonker Walk.
Melaka tourism is largely dependent on its cultural heritage hence they preserve it as much as they can. Here, you can find many remarkable museums especially in Bandar Hilir area. A Famosa Fort and St. Paul Hill can also be found in this area. These remnants dated as far as 500 years ago and very captivating to see.
Melaka Sultanate Palace museum is situated at the foot of St. Paul's Hill. Although this is not the original palace, it is now home to Malacca Cultural artifacts. Climbing up the hill of St. Paul, you will find ruins of St. Paul's Church, another heritage structure of Melaka.
A'Famosa Fort is among the oldest existing European architectural remains in Asia. It was once an enormous and powerful structure and only the tiny gate survived overtime. It was built by Portuguese commander Afonso de Albuquerque who believed that Melaka would become a port linking Portugal and China.
Stadthuys on the other hand, is the big red building that stood next to the stairway of St. Paul's church. It was the official residence of the Dutch Governor and has been an important landmark in Melaka, Malaysia. Today, it is home to two museums, the Historic Museum and the Ethnography Museum where travelers can find large collection of traditional bridal costumes and Malacca's relics. At the back is yet another museum, the Literature Museum.
Northeast of Malacca town, travelers can find the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China. Bukit China's tombs dated back to Ming Dynasty and are well kept by Melaka community.
One of the oldest landmarks in Malacca, is the Kampung Keling Mosque. It was built by Indian Muslim traders in 18th century and it features the unique architectural influence of Sumatra while the Cheng Hoon Teng temple is believed to be the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia. It is a Buddhist temple richly decorated with mythological figures and breathtaking wood carvings and furnishings.
Melaka also offers sandy beaches off shores, the two main islands to visit are Pulau Besar which is a beach haven and Pulau Upeh, a nature lover's paradise. Pulau Upeh is also home to the rare Hawksbill turtle. These islands can be accessed by taking a ferry from Jeti Anjung Batu in Umbai.
There are many fascinating tourist spots here in Melaka, Malaysia aside from the above mentioned. Melaka is a compact town filled with many tourist attractions which delight tourist all over the world. Going around town is made simple with Bas Panorama Melaka which operates all throughout Melaka, giving tourists the convenience of getting to one place and another.
Truly, a Melaka travel is like a walk back in time with its rich and preserved culture you will not find anywhere else in the world. It is truly amazing how the Melaka community cared for their heritage and managed to cater to its multicultural history.
Both Gaizka Pujana & Nowal Khan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dental Cover Letter Examples The peace of mind comes from the fact that you will have purchased a policy that will cover you for regular check-ups as well as any procedures