Al-Sharqiyah Governorate represents the northeastern facade of the Sultanate of Oman, overlooking the Arabian Sea from the east and includes the inner side of the Eastern Hajar Mountains. It is also connected to the Al-Sharqiya sands from the south and the Al-Dakhiliyah Governorate from the west. It has the largest oases called Al-Hawiyah, which are sand dunes that form a depth For a vibrant painting of a quiet Bedouin life in a pastoral environment that makes a wealth of cattle, camels and horses. North Al Sharqiyah Governorate includes six states: Ibra, Al Mudhaibi, Bidiyah, Al Qabil, Wadi Bani Khalid, Dima, Al Tayyin, and the center of the governorate is the state of Ibra. The Wilayat of Ibra, the center of Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, is considered an agricultural state with a number of crafts and traditional industries flourishing.
castles and forts
Castles and forts are among the most distinguishing features of Oman, and Al-Muntarib Fort is one of the most important forts in the North Sharqiyah Governorate and is located in the wilayat of Bidiyah, but what distinguishes the governorate most is agriculture.
Al Mintarib Castle
Al Mintarib Castle: It is located in the Wilayat of Bidiyah in the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate, where the stronghold of the fort stands in Al-Muntarib overlooking a fertile oasis of palm trees on the outskirts of the Sharqiya sands, which is home to large numbers of nomads who gather in Al-Muntarib and other oasis cities during the period from June to September of each year during Harvest season The area of the fort is 900 m.
Tourist sites
North Al-Sharqiyah Governorate is characterized by the presence of Al-Sharqiyah Sands, as it is one of the most attractive places for visitors, as well as the presence of Wadi Bani Khaled and the popular markets. All this is considered an exciting source of attraction for tourists.
Sharqiya Sands, Wahiba Sands, Ramlat Al Wahibah
Sharqiya Sands: It is one of the most beautiful sandy deserts that attract visitors, and it is a variety of dunes of red to brown colors that extend as far as the eye can see. It is one of the most beautiful camping areas in the Sultanate, and its area expands to about 10,000 square kilometers, and its sands embrace about 200 species. Visitors prefer this area due to the ease of access to it and the availability of services close to it, and the presence of tourist camps that spread the sand to be islands that provide tourism services in the sea of golden sands played an important role in that. The Wilayat of Bidiyah is considered one of the beautiful oases located at the entrance of the Sharqiyah sands, and it is a starting point for exploring the depths of the sands and entering a world full of excitement and vitality, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and a change in the daily routine programs. There are many oases in these sands, including, but not limited to, the Al-Rakah Oasis, which is surrounded by sandy hills on three sides and forms a wonderful view in addition to the Shahak Oasis. The same is the case with Al-Hawiyah Oasis, which is the largest of the oases and contains many trees and is surrounded by sand dunes in a wonderful scene.
This oasis is a vivid example of this unique blending, as it is embraced by golden sands to form a green peninsula in a unique scene that distinguishes it from other oases in the Sultanate, and the steep slope of the sands in the southern part of this oasis is one of the privileged sites for sandboarding. Among the oases is also the Oasis of Al-Aidan, which is due to the reason for its name due to the presence of trees with their lush shades and the presence of a water well in this site, and access to it requires the help of a guide. Many tourist activities and events are held in these sands, including the sand boarding challenge in four-wheel drive vehicles, in addition to horse and camel races.
Wadi Bani Khalid
Wadi Bani Khalid: The valley is 203 km away from Muscat via the Bidbid-Sour road in the North Sharqiyah Governorate, from which a side road branches off leading to the Wilayat of Bani Khalid and then ascends through the Eastern Hajar Mountains to reach the village of Adiya in the depth of the mountains, and from here one can enjoy the stunning views of the fertile valley with its extended trees With its abundant waters that form waterfalls in some areas that end in pools of water, then the road continues its path, crossing the course of the valley, all the way to the town of Maql, where its cave is. Here, the rushing water falls abundantly, issuing a loud rumble, and that water circulates in a pool, but it soon disappears from view to gather – again – in what resembles the lakes that the people invested in the construction of three falaj.
Popular markets
Popular markets: Thursday Market in Sinaw District: It is held every Thursday in Sinaw in the North Sharqiyah Governorate, and it witnesses intense movement due to its proximity to Bedouin communities, who come to it to supply their needs and sell their livestock and handicrafts. This market starts from six in the morning until one in the evening.
historical location
MIHILYA fossil
MIHILYA fossil: It is a burial site located in the North Sharqiyah Governorate, specifically in the village of Locala, which is also called (Al-Mudhaibi). These tombs were affected by the road construction project, so a project was undertaken to save the reserve, as the work included 108 tombs, where two types of tombs were discovered: one for adults and the other for children.
These burials date back to the late Iron Age, and the finds included pottery of different sizes and decorations. Several types of beads, iron arrowheads, rings, copper rings, and broken iron spears were also discovered.