Category: EXTRA

1. Hotel Kazakhstan di Almaty (30,412 tetamu asing)
2. Holiday Inn di Almaty (15,619 pelawat)
3. Hotel Sheraton Astana (14,790 tetamu)
4. Rixos Water World Aktau (lebih 14,500 pelancong asing)
5. Rixos Almaty (12,600 pelawat)
6. Mercure Almaty City Centre (12,200 pelawat)
7. Intercontinental Almaty (11,200)
8. Best Western Plus Atakent Park Hotel (11,200)
9. Rahat Palace Hotel (11,100).
10. Hilton Astana.

* Sumber: The Astana Times, 20 Jan 2025

Dari kawasan utara hingga timur Arab Saudi, Souq Al-Awaleen Riyadh menyatukan pelbagai budaya negara.

Pengunjung disambut dengan sambutan hangat daripada pelakon yang mewakili setiap wilayah, membolehkan mereka menghargai kepelbagaian tradisi Saudi dan pakaian tradisional yang berbeza di setiap kawasan.

Tetamu boleh meneroka budaya bandar pesisir pantai, seperti Jeddah, dan kawasan pergunungan seperti Asir, merasai pengalaman sebenar budaya Saudi.

Mereka boleh memakai ikat kepala bunga dan pakaian tradisional orang selatan, dan mengambil bahagian dalam tarian Ardah dari wilayah Najd tengah, mengayunkan pedang Arab.

Pengalaman mengasyikkan berterusan apabila pelakon melakonkan semula kehidupan seharian, seperti mengajar di dalam bilik darjah. Pelawat boleh duduk di meja sekolah, menggunakan kapur untuk menulis di papan hitam, dan mengikuti kelas bahasa Arab yang membangkitkan kenangan nostalgia bagi ramai orang.

Selain itu, tetamu boleh melangkah ke penjara lama untuk membayangkan kehidupan di sebalik jeriji besi, dan menyemak imbas pilihan mainan nostalgia yang menawarkan perjalanan menyeronokkan di lorong ingatan.

Setiap sudut souq menceritakan kisah yang unik, menawarkan kraf tangan asli, pakaian tradisional dan pelbagai rempah-ratus yang menangkap intipati pelbagai wilayah.

Salah satu tarikan yang menonjol di souq ialah rumah seram yang bertemakan cerita rakyat Saudi, dikenali sebagai Al-Sa’alawa. Pengalaman menyejukkan ini diilhamkan daripada kisah makhluk misteri yang memikat imaginasi ramai.

Khemah Al-Sa’alwa menawarkan pengalaman rumah seram yang mendebarkan yang menyelami pelawat dalam cerita rakyat Saudi. Osama Al-Balawai, seorang pelakon dalam khemah, menggambarkan makhluk Al-Sa’alwa, yang telah menjadi subjek pelbagai tafsiran.

Ada yang melihatnya sebagai hantu, yang lain sebagai figura lelaki, manakala ada yang percaya ia mengambil bentuk wanita cantik. Tidak kira bentuknya, berhati-hati dinasihatkan apabila menghadapi makhluk yang penuh teka-teki ini.

“Sertai kami di khemah Al-Sa’alwa untuk pengalaman yang tidak dapat dilupakan,” kata Al-Balawai kepada Arab News.

“Adakah anda akan muncul dengan selamat, atau adakah anda akan terpikat dengan legenda?

“Kami menggalakkan anda melawat Souq Al-Awaleen untuk mengambil bahagian dalam pengembaraan yang mendebarkan ini. Kami tidak sabar untuk melihat anda di sana!”

Selain pengalaman seram, Arab News menemui Bin Ghaith Textiles, sebuah kedai kain di pasar. Pemilik Hassan dengan penuh semangat berkongsi kecintaannya terhadap tekstil, menonjolkan kepentingan sejarahnya.

“Keghairahan saya adalah tekstil dan sejarah di belakangnya,” katanya.

“Saya mengumpul gentian organik dan meneroka apa yang orang pakai sebelum kemunculan bahan sintetik. Ini memberi saya peluang untuk berhubung dengan sejarah.”

Hassan berkata minatnya terletak pada bahan organik yang digunakan pada masa lalu, seperti linen, kapas, sutera dan bulu, berbeza dengan budaya fesyen pakai buang masa kini.

“Pasar adalah nadi mana-mana bandar,” katanya. “Ia mencerminkan identiti tempat itu, menawarkan pandangan tentang budaya dan sejarahnya.”

Tahun ini menandakan kali kedua Hassan di Souq Al-Awaleen, di mana dia menghargai orang ramai yang pelbagai yang tiba untuk menerokai permaidani kaya dengan warisan Saudi.

“Generasi muda sangat ingin tahu tentang apa yang dipakai nenek moyang mereka dan bagaimana tekstil telah berkembang,” katanya.

“Adalah penting untuk mengekalkan pengetahuan dan tradisi ini.”

Pasar, yang menawarkan kemasukan percuma, juga menganjurkan kraf tangan, seni rakyat dan persembahan secara langsung.

Artis tempatan mempunyai platform untuk mempamerkan hasil kerja mereka, dan pelawat boleh mengambil bahagian dalam bengkel yang memfokuskan pada tenunan tradisional Sadu dan tembikar.

Selain persembahan artisanalnya, Souq Al-Awaleen menyajikan rasa masakan asli Saudi di Sufrat Al-Deira. Suasana membangkitkan zaman dahulu, dipertingkatkan dengan demonstrasi masakan dan persembahan kebudayaan lain.

Musim Riyadh tahun ini berlangsung sehingga Mac 2025 dan telah menarik lebih 13 juta peserta, menurut Agensi Akhbar Saudi (SPA).

Teks (diterjemah) & foto AN/4 Jan, 23:57/tajuk oleh Sayidina

RIYADH — Resin art, a crafting technique using the liquid form of the substance to create 3D objects or glossy coatings, has gained widespread popularity. When mixed with a hardener, resin solidifies, forming a glass-like finish.

Elyan Al-Aufi, a citizen from Madinah and a visual arts graduate of Taibah University, has significantly contributed to the medium, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Her pieces reflect Madinah’s culture, incorporating local elements including Madani script, roses, mint and basil.

Travelers to Madinah and the Prophet’s Mosque often purchase her art as souvenirs, including keychains, jewelry, wall clocks, decorative pieces, and prayer beads, the SPA reported.

Resin art is versatile, used to create accessories and jewelry — such as necklaces, rings and earrings — via special molds. It is also key to paintings made with pouring techniques, producing distinctive results.

Resin is popular in household items including tables and trays, often featuring natural elements such as flowers or wood. It also used to preserve memorabilia and natural objects including leaves, photos and other items.

With its glass-like transparency and glossy finish, resin art allows creative use of colors, dyes, and natural elements such as flowers and shells. It produces durable, timeless pieces.

AN

TEHRAN — Since the onset of the Gaza war, more than 90 hotels have shut down, leading to thousands of workers being laid off, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

Israeli media outlets reported on Saturday that the prolonged conflict has caused a significant economic downturn, particularly in the tourism and hoteling sector. Channel 12 revealed alarming data, stating that one in five hotels in the occupied territories has been closed since October 7, 2023.

The closure, amounting to 20% of hotels in occupied Palestine, has been exacerbated by the cancellation of flights by foreign airlines to and from the occupied territories, which has severely impacted various economic sectors.

According to Channel 12, thousands of families dependent on the hospitality sector are now seeking new employment opportunities. A correspondent of the TV network reported a more than 85% reduction in tourism.

Yedioth Ahronoth, a Hebrew-language newspaper, recently reported that while Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Lebanon to restore economic activities in northern territories, 80% of small businesses are at risk of closure there. Furthermore, Channel 12 revealed that unemployment in the north has increased by 20% compared to other regions since the war started.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the tourism sector of the regime has incurred losses of approximately 19.5 billion shekels ($5.25 billion) over the year since the military aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Despite claims from the Israeli regime that the costs of the wars on Gaza and Lebanon have amounted to $60 to $70 billion so far, Israeli economist Jacob Sheinin revealed that the total cost of the war could reach $120 billion, equal to 20% of the regime’s Gross Domestic Product.

IRNA, Nov 16, 2024

Bilangan pelawat asing di bandar pantai barat daya pelancongan di Antalya mencecah 15 juta pada 2024 setakat angka Oktober, menurut wakil sektor.

Hakan Saatcioglu, presiden Persatuan Pengurus Hotel Profesional Turki (POYD), berkata pada mesyuarat bulanannya musim ini telah berjaya untuk bandar peranginan itu, kerana bilangan pelancong melonjak 7% pada asas tahunan.

“Menurut statistik lapangan terbang di rantau ini, jumlah pelawat tertinggi datang dari Rusia, iaitu 3.2 juta, diikuti Jerman dengan 2.7 juta, UK dengan 1.3 juta, dan Poland dengan 1.1 juta,” katanya.

Saatcioglu menambah bahawa jumlah pelancong di Antalya boleh mencapai sasaran 17 juta menjelang akhir tahun ini.

ANADOLU, 16 Okt 2024

Sultani Restaurant and Lounge, located in the As-Salamah district on Sari Road in Jeddah, specializes in traditional Iranian cuisine served in a contemporary setting.

On arrival, diners enter a plant-filled space that evokes the charm of a garden.

Persian-inspired elements further enrich the decor, adding authenticity to the modern design.

The menu showcases the rich flavors of Persian cuisine. Appetizers include zeytoon parvardeh, a mix of green olives, garlic, pomegranate molasses, and walnuts; and sabzi khordan, an assortment of fresh herbs, feta cheese, and radish. Both offer refreshing and savory flavors.

Kashk-o bademjan, made with Persian whey and aubergine, is another sumptuous option, with a comforting, creamy taste.

Sultani’s soup e-jo, a thick barley cream soup, provides warmth and richness, while the chicken soup with potatoes, a traditional Persian comfort food, is rich in flavor.

Moving to the main courses, ghormeh sabzi, a lamb stew made with dried herbs, red beans, and dried lime, delivers tangy and savory richness. Another standout is chicken fesenjan, a tender chicken leg cooked in a pomegranate and walnut sauce, combining sweet and juicy elements in perfect balance.

Seafood lovers can enjoy dishes such as jumbo grilled shrimp and grilled seabass, both marinated in sweet paprika, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

For a larger meal, the royal seafood platter includes seabass fillets and jumbo shrimp, and is ideal for sharing.

The restaurant’s kebabs are a favorite. The kabab kubideh, made with minced lamb kafta, and kabab barg, a marinated beef tenderloin, are both perfectly grilled and full of flavor.

The jujeh kabab, a boneless chicken skewer marinated with yogurt, saffron, and lemon juice, is also a must-try. Try pairing your meal with Persian-style laban or tea, both traditional drinks.

Sultani’s delicious dessert options include fereni, a creamy rice flour pudding flavored with cardamom, rose water, and cinnamon, and faloodeh, a refreshing Persian cold dessert made with lime, rose water, and rice noodles. The ranginak, a date and pistachio pie with cinnamon and butter, is also a sweet ending to a meal.

Whether you are in the mood for a quiet meal or a special celebration, Sultani provides a memorable experience with each dish, making it a must-visit for food lovers in the area.

AN, Nov 9, 2024

Mexika brings a taste of Mexico to the table with a menu balancing classic flavors with vibrant twists, making it an inviting spot for Mexican food lovers in Riyadh.

One standout dish is their burrito, which is not only generous in portion but also packed with tastes that satisfy. The filling is well seasoned and hearty, with fresh ingredients that harmonize.

Other options shine, too. Nachos come topped with sour cream, guacamole and a hint of jalapeno spice, and are available in various sizes costing from SR 8 ($2.13) to SR 19 ($5.06). Or try the quesadillas and empanadas, with choices from chicken to cheese to suit every palate.

For those craving something more substantial, the fajita selections and chicken lemon chimichanga are real highlights.

However, there is one small drawback; some dishes, including the burrito, tend to become soggy rather quickly. A crispier exterior would enhance the texture, maintaining that satisfying crunch.

The menu offers an exciting variety of food, from snackable samosas starting at SR 4 to substantial party boxes ideal for larger gatherings. With everything from light bites to full meals covered, Mexika is a versatile option for any dining occasion and impresses with its portion sizes, flavors and diversity.

For anyone looking to indulge their tastebuds with Mexican cuisine that has a Saudi twist, this place has a lot to offer. Just keep an eye on the texture of that burrito!

AN, Nov 4, 2025

The ancient city of Baalbek, northeast Lebanon, has been declared an unsafe and red zone area due to continuous Israeli airstrikes in recent days. Evacuation orders have already been issued by the Israeli regime and the city is being destroyed. Baalbek is located northeast of the capital Beirut.

IRNA

Saudi producer Farah Al-Ibrahim’s new digital art show “Pearls of emotions” is set to premiere at the Theater of Digital Art in Dubai on Dec. 2.

Presented by her production company Artellosa, Al-Ibrahim told Arab News she hopes this show, which explores the rich history of pearl diving in the Gulf, resonates with viewers and offers them a new perspective on the region and its culture.

“I feel it’s in my DNA to talk about pearls and our relationship to the sea. But knowing this culture and keeping it in our hearts is not enough. We need to preserve it and reflect it to international audiences,” she said.

The desire to engage a diverse audience is a key driving force behind the experience, as “Pearls of Emotion” features a unique musical score that fuses traditional Gulf melodies with contemporary sounds in order to appeal to visitors from around the globe, as well as younger generations seeking a fresh take on the exploration of Gulf heritage.

“A lot of people think our civilization started when oil money entered the region. This is not correct, we have the need and duty to change that perspective and reflect the beauty and richness of our culture,” Al-Ibrahim explained.

“Pearls of emotions” tells the story of a bride who says goodbye to her husband days after their marriage as he embarks on a pearl diving journey, explained Al-Ibrahim.

“The show has seven parts, each one talks about a certain emotion such as love, resilience, strength, pride and so on,” she added.

The show offers a 360° immersive journey back in time at TODA, a 1,800-square-metre immersive art space located in Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

Al-Ibrahim relied on AI to generate the imagery for this art exhibition. She described the process as a challenge as AI databases are not fully versed with data from the Arab world.

By talking to her family, who have a long history in the trade, Al-Ibrahim was able to collect information on what ships, sailors and diving experiences looked and felt like so she could feed it to AI programs and generate a depiction of these stories.

“It’s very important to have these stories documented, even if it’s AI,” she said.

AN

PARIS, Oct 24 — France should charge visitors a small fee to see the Notre-Dame cathedral to help the country keep its world-famous churches and cathedrals in shape, the culture minister said.

Rachida Dati told newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published late on Wednesday that by charging only 5 euros per visitor Notre-Dame could raise 75 million euros ($81 million) a year.

In France, where secularism is part of the national identity, the state is in charge of maintaining the country’s religious sites, including 15,000 classified as historic monuments, which are usually free of charge.

Notre-Dame has been undergoing reconstruction after a fire severely damaged its roof and spire. President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to rebuild Notre-Dame within five years, drawing massive private-sector financial support.

“As a good Christian, you are supposed to contribute and give some money to the church. But that’s supposed to be from your heart, not from charging the money,” said Soraya Arango, a tourist from Mexico who visited the cathedral.

French tourist Jean-Marie Delprat said he welcomed Dati’s initiative.

“One has to understand that it is necessary to do maintenance work, and not only here. There are other churches,” Delprat said.

Dati, a former Paris district mayor, also said tourists from outside the European Union should pay more to visit non-religious landmarks.

“Is it normal that a French visitor pays the same entrance fee to the Louvre as a Brazilian or Chinese visitor?” Dati said, adding: “I want visitors from outside the EU to pay more for their entrance ticket and for this supplement to go toward financing the renovation of our national heritage.”

The minister said many of the country’s famous buildings attracting millions of tourists per year were in a degraded state and that new funding sources were needed to address mounting preservation challenges, especially in the capital.

She said the ministry was working on implementing a new pricing policy, which is likely to require coordination with various public and private entities, from January 2026.

“A country that gives up on carrying out major cultural projects gives up on being a great nation,” Dati said.

REUTERS

ROME — Venice is going to broaden its tourist entry fee system in 2025, almost doubling the number of days visitors will have to pay to see the lagoon city, and hiking the price for last-minute arrivals, officials said on Thursday.

In a world first, the Italian destination introduced a 5- euro charge in April for daytrippers arriving on particularly congested days, hoping the levy would help thin the crowds.

The initial scheme, which was watched closely by other global tourist hotspots, covered 29 days over a four month period. This will be lifted to 54 days next year, over the same April-July window.

The charge will stay at 5 euros ($5.40) for those booking ahead of time, but will rise to 10 euros for anyone reserving within four days of their planned trip. As before, people with hotel and guest house reservations will be exempt.

“Venice has gone from being the city most exposed to and criticised for the phenomenon of overtourism, to being the city that is reacting to this phenomenon the earliest and most proactively on the global stage,” said Simone Venturini, the city councillor responsible for tourism and social cohesion.

He told a news conference the system was still in an experimental phase. He said places popular with tourists, including Japan’s historic city Kyoto and the Spanish island Formentera, had been in touch to ask about the scheme.

Critics have said the payment system failed to slow the flow of tourists, but Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said it was too soon to judge, with precise data only available this year.

He added that Venice did not want to shoo people away, but rather encourage visitors to rethink their dates.

“We are not against it (tourism). We just believe it can somehow be spread out,” he said, warning that the city would hand out fines in 2025 for people without a pass – something it had threatened to do in 2024, but did not.

In all, 485,062 people paid for a day pass this year, raising 2.25 million euros. This covered just some of the costs of the system, Brugnaro said, and was not aimed at raking in cash for the city coffers.

REUTERS, Oct 24, 2024

TYRE, Lebanon — Thunderous booms followed by black columns of smoke in the sky, ancient ruins with no tourists, and a seashore without fishermen or beach-goers.

War has turned Lebanon’s idyllic port city of Tyre into a ghost town.

Tyre had been considered safe for much of the year in which Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel had been exchanging fire. But Israeli airstrikes this week led to fears that nowhere in Lebanon would be safe.

Near one of the three residential blocks reduced to rubble on Wednesday, a family loaded belongings into a car parked amid broken glass and debris.

Eight mattresses were stacked on the car roof, secured with rope.

The raids had torn the facades off surrounding structures, exposing bathroom pipes and entire kitchens to the outdoors.

Personal belongings were scattered everywhere – shoes, photographs, toys and clothes.

Tyre’s picturesque beaches were empty. Just last month, conservationists were helping endangered sea turtles lay eggs along the coastline but since then, Israel’s military warned against maritime activities, saying they could be targeted.

Khalil Ali, a 59-year-old fisherman, sits on a jetty and throws a fishing line hopelessly into the sea.

“We are very worried,” he said. “The situation might be like Gaza, and that Israel issues more evacuation orders that will force me to leave my hometown. It was not like this in 2006, this is very difficult. They did not destroy this much.”

More than 2,500 people have been killed by Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, and over 1.2 million have been forced from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.

Tyre mayor Hassan Dabouq told Reuters only a quarter of the city’s residents remained, and many feared the destruction that had been wrought on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza was coming for them, too.

“It’s the same people, the same war, the same mentality, and the same (Israeli) officials, with the same support from the Americans and Europeans.

The elements are the same, so why would it be any different in Lebanon?” Dabouq said.

At Tyre’s port, dozens of vessels were docked on Wednesday morning. This area would normally be bustling with activity as fishermen brought in their catch to sell to merchants but now is eerily quiet. A few fishermen were present, not to fish, but to check on their boats.

Shops and restaurants were closed, and the fridges that once held fresh fish were empty and turned off.

VICIOUS WAR

Only those with nowhere else to go and those who felt a sense of duty to stay remained. One Tyre resident said she would rather stay in her hometown than die as a refugee.

Wael Mroueh, a 49-year-old nephrologist and director of the Jabal Amel Hospital, chose to stay. His hospital is one of only three still serving southern Lebanon.

Having lived through numerous wars, Mroueh remembers a childhood of bombings, explosions and destruction.

Determined not to subject his three children and loved ones to the same horrors, he made the decision to send them to safety further north while he remained behind.

“I fear I might never see them again because of this vicious war being waged against us,” he told Reuters at his hospital, covering his face as he broke down in tears.

Mattresses and personal belongings lay in hospital corridors. To convince some of his staff to stay on, Mroueh had allowed them to live there with their families.

Like the city itself, only a quarter of the hospital’s doctors had stayed. Just over one-third of the nurses did too.

Dressed in his white scrubs, Mroueh toured the ICU and the kidney dialysis unit to check on about 30 patients injured in the war, many of whom had serious injuries and were unconscious.

He sends patients who are stable enough for transfer to Beirut every day but as the conflict drags on, he is bracing himself – and preparing the hospital – for the worst.

He said there are troubling patterns in Israel’s actions in Lebanon that were similar to Gaza, particularly concerning the targeting of aid workers, medics, and hospitals.

Lebanon says 13 of its hospitals and more than 100 other health facilities have been put out of service by Israel’s strikes. The World Health Organization says more than 100 medics and rescue workers have been killed in the last year in Lebanon.

Mroueh sees those Israeli strikes as an attempt to strike at morale – but says it has not worn down his sense of responsibility.

“If everyone leaves, there will be no one left,” he said. “This is part of our resistance.”

REUTERS, Oct 24, 2024

Tashkent mungkin tidak terkenal dengan seni bina dan budayanya seperti Paris, Rom atau Barcelona, ​​malah ibu kota Uzbekistan itu adalah permata yang dipandang rendah bagi pelancong.

Dengan populasi lebih daripada tiga juta, Tashkent ialah bandar terbesar di Asia Tengah, yang dahulunya merupakan sebahagian daripada Kesatuan Soviet.

Tashkent — yang bermaksud “bandar batu” — secara sejarah penting sebagai salah satu daripada beberapa hab perdagangan (bersama-sama dengan bandar jirannya Bukhara dan Samarkand) di Jalan Sutera yang merentang dari Eropah ke China.

Pada abad ke-8, bandar ini berada di bawah pemerintahan Arab Muslim, dan seni bina Islam, disemat dengan jubin biru yang menakjubkan yang sepadan dengan langit di atas Tashkent, kekal sebagai ciri yang ketara.

Di bawah pemerintahan Soviet, Tashkent menyaksikan peningkatan dalam gaya moden bangunan berat dan brutalis yang digemari oleh USSR — lihat, sebagai contoh, bahagian luar Hotel Uzbekistan yang mengagumkan, seperti grid, ditubuhkan pada tahun 1974. Antara tahun 1960-an dan 1990-an, struktur sedemikian adalah sebahagian daripada rancangan untuk membina semula bandar itu selepas gempa bumi pada tahun 1966.

Salah satu bangunan terhebat di Tashkent ialah Teater Alisher Navoiy yang terletak di tengah-tengah, sebuah gedung opera elegan yang dibuka pada tahun 1930-an, memainkan melodi abadi maestro klasik Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev dan Verdi.

Ia dinamakan sempena penyair dan wira negara yang digelar “bapa kesusasteraan Uzbekistan,” yang dilahirkan di Afghanistan zaman moden pada tahun 1400-an. Direka oleh arkitek Soviet Alexey Shchusev, rumah opera 1,500 tempat duduk itu memancarkan unsur gaya Eropah dan Oriental. Enam lobinya dinamakan sempena bandar Uzbekistan iaitu Bukhara, Khorezm, Samarkand, Fergana, Termez dan Tashkent.

Sejumlah muzium – yang dikhaskan untuk sejarah, seni, geologi dan peperangan – wujud di ibu negara; salah satu yang terbaik ialah Muzium Seni Gunaan yang sangat berhias, yang memberi penghormatan kepada kraf tangan halus pengrajin tradisional Uzbekistan, dan mempamerkan sulaman, tembikar, lukisan kecil, barang kemas dan persenjataan. Bangunan itu sendiri adalah karya seni juga, mempamerkan siling kayu terperinci yang dibuat dengan motif bunga dan geometri.

Terdapat lebih daripada 2,000 masjid di Uzbekistan dan salah satu yang tertua ialah Madrasah Kukeldash, yang diasaskan pada tahun 1500-an. Tapak yang tenang, yang telah dipulihkan dan digunakan untuk pelbagai tujuan selama ini, pada asalnya dibina untuk menganjurkan pelajaran dalam pengajian Islam dan Al-Quran (pelajaran yang masih berlaku hari ini). Ia juga menempatkan studio kaligrafi intim. Fasad utama menampilkan tulisan suci Arab dan corak gerbang, dihiasi dengan mozek yang kebanyakannya berwarna biru.

Berdekatan adalah Bazar Chorsu yang meriah dan besar, tempat penduduk tempatan pergi membeli-belah untuk mendapatkan makanan, rempah ratus, pinggan mangkuk dan pernak-pernik. Buah delima berwarna delima sangat popular, dan juga mempunyai ciri sebagai motif pada pakaian, lakonan, dengan cara sebagai simbol negara. Bazar ini terletak di bawah kubah berhias biru, yang direka pada tahun 1980.

Jika anda sedang mencari lokasi yang lebih damai, maka Studio Seramik Rakhimovs ialah tempat yang sesuai. Syurga kreativiti ini, boleh diakses melalui temu janji sahaja, bertujuan untuk mengekalkan warisan seni seramik. Penuh dengan kepingan tembikar yang dihias, ruang yang dikendalikan oleh keluarga menceritakan kisah empat generasi tuan seramik, bermula dengan salah seorang ahli seramik abad ke-20 terkemuka Tashkent dan pemulih mozek Mukhitdin Rakhimov sehingga cucunya, Alisher Akbarovich Rakhimov, yang telah meninggalkan seni tembikar kepada anaknya, Shokhrukh.

Dan tarikan Tashkent bukan semua di permukaannya. Pastikan anda melawat Metro Tashkent, yang, pada tahun 1977, menjadi sistem kereta bawah tanah pertama di Asia Tengah. 29 stesennya menyerupai galeri seni, penuh dengan lajur yang canggih, kubah bercorak, jubin berwarna-warni dan mural dengan kisah kebanggaan negara untuk diceritakan.

Mungkin stesen yang paling terkenal dalam sistem ini ialah Kosmonavtlar (Angkasawan), dengan dalaman biru-putih yang diilhamkan oleh ‘perlumbaan angkasa,’ yang berlaku antara tahun 1950-an dan 1970-an. Dinding stesen mempamerkan pingat besar yang menggambarkan angkasawan terkemuka Kesatuan Soviet, Yuri Gagarin dan Valentina Tereshkova, masing-masing lelaki dan wanita pertama pergi ke angkasa.

Tashkent ialah lokasi yang sesuai untuk pencinta seni bina yang ingin menemui sesuatu yang tidak tipikal. Ia mempunyai landskap bangunan lama dan moden yang menarik secara visual, menunjukkan warisan budaya yang pelbagai di bandar ini, yang patut dipelihara dan diberi perhatian.

AN, 17 Okt 2024

DUBAI — First off, a trip to South Korea is expensive. There’s no two ways about it. A return trip from Dubai costs in excess of $2,300 unless you opt to spending two days travelling in each direction. I chose the former.

There’s a perception that if you love Japan, you’ll also love South Korea. In fact, I found that South Korea was nothing like Japan. But why should it be? The Japanese dynasty ended a long time ago. Korea feels more humble, less in-your-face.

Seoul — the capital city — is large, clean, and very Western. The Metro system is busy and frequent, but unlike the public transport networks in the West, it feels safe. People are conscious of each other’s personal space and with a population of just over 10 million they need to be. But there’s no obvious fear of crime, everyone seems to have their heads buried in their phones. (For tourists, that might be because they’re checking their Korean translation app, an absolute necessity.)

To get the real vibe of this sprawling city — which is not dissimilar to Manhattan in New York — it’s worth walking the skyscraper-lined streets.

There are coffee shops pretty much everywhere you look. And in the malls, food courts are filled with baked goods, noodles and all varieties of meat. And while the fare is OK, none of it feels especially Asian, and judging by comments made by chefs this writer knows, Korea is not a place for foodies.

There’s a wide assortment of tours on offer — including a full day at the Demilitarized Zone on the North Korean border, which costs around $100 but is worth the effort and investment just to see across to the North with the guard posts in the distance and the 100-meter-high mast carrying the North Korean flag. You can also walk along a very claustrophobic tunnel dug by the North Koreans into the south.

Back in Seoul, the Starfield Library boasts a vast collection of 50,000 books in shelves that scale two floors – a must for those seeking an Instagrammable moment. There’s also a kitsch tribute to the novelty pop hit “Gangnam Style” — if indeed that is your style.

Seoul’s Anguk area is worth spending some time in; the art galleries and cafés have a youthful buzz and the Artist Bakery offered some beautifully mellow coffee and a huge selection of moreish salted butter bread treats.

There’s much to see in South Korea outside of Seoul, of course. And a three-hour trip on the bullet train takes you to the small(ish) city of Busan in the south east of the peninsular, where things feel much less Westernized. It’s a city crammed with markets and malls, selling anything and everything.

Find a hotel overlooking the water — there’s a lot of it and the fish market offers the chance to eat pretty much anything that is found in there. Be warned though, this place might look like a budget meal awaits you, but you can easily spend in excess of $40 for some octopus and something called “spoon worm” sashimi — the latter resembling a very particular internal organ.

Gamcheon Cultural Village — an assembly of narrow lanes and small pastel-colored houses on the side of a hill — provides stunning views down the valley towards the sea; another place for Insta-moments. And the Songdo cable car is worth a ride for the equally spectacular photo-ops.

Busan also provides plenty of opportunity to sample authentic and delicious Korean street food, just don’t be put off by the aesthetics of some of the outlets.

My final stop was Jeju Island — an hour away by plane — where I spent a few days ambling about, taking in the beautiful coastline with its jagged volcanic rocks. From the many bus tours on offer, the east and south were the highlights. The Yeha Bus Tour is particularly good, with stops including Stone Park, an ancient village, and the 600-step climb up Seongsan Sunrise Peak for some stunning panoramic views of the volcanic crater and surrounding area (followed by the slow hobble back down).

South Korea is certainly a destination worth visiting, but with a necessary proviso: Make sure you have plenty of disposable income so you can create memories that don’t break the bank.

AN, Peter Harrison

DUBAI — Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber was photographed leaving the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles this weekend, wearing what appeared to be a keffiyeh.

The 30-year-old was photographed with the keffiyeh wrapped around his head while driving his car, sparking a debate online about whether he was inadvertently commenting on the ongoing war in Gaza.

The pop star has been mostly silent on social media regarding the ongoing conflict, after briefly sharing and deleting a post in support of Israel following the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Across the world, the chequered head scarf has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, as Israel continues to bombard Gaza, and now Lebanon.

AN – Oct 8, 2024

GUANGZHOU — Chinese researchers have discovered a new cyprinid fish species, Opsariichthys rubriventris, in Huizhou City in south China’s Guangdong Province.

In a paper published in the international journal Diversity, Opsariichthys rubriventris is described as a unique species endemic to Guangdong, residing in the upper reaches of rivers in the Pearl River basin.

The species can be distinguished from its relatives by several characteristics, including 13 to 14 predorsal scales, a lower jaw that projects slightly beyond the upper jaw, and cheeks featuring two mainly longitudinal rows of tubercles. Additionally, adult males exhibit reddish-orange coloration on their lower jaw, belly, pectoral fin and the anterior margin of their anal fin.

Zhou Jiajun, a co-author of the paper, noted that the discovery is significant for understanding the evolution of the Opsariichthys genus and for the protection of fish diversity in the Pearl River streams.

According to Zhou, the species has a narrow distribution range and small population size. With its vibrant colors and high ornamental value, it has become sought after in the ornamental fish trade. However, some habitats have become difficult to locate due to overfishing, highlighting the need for increased attention and protection.

XINHUA

Dari padang bola hingga ke perayaan kebudayaan, berikut adalah enam bintang bola sepak antarabangsa yang telah memakai pakaian tradisional Saudi.

NEYMAR DAN MALCOM

Ikon Brazil Neymar dan rakan senegaranya Malcom muncul dalam sambutan Hari Kebangsaan Saudi 2024 Al-Hilal dengan memakai thobe (jubah) dan sepanduk diletakkan di bahu mereka.

RUBEN NEVES

Bintang Al-Hilal asal Portugal, Ruben Neves, menikmati perayaan Hari Kebangsaan kelab tahun ini dalam pakaian thobe putih dan sarung tradisional merah-putih.

KARIM BENZEMA

Penyerang Perancis ini berkongsi gambar dirinya memakai thobe hitam pada Hari Penubuhan Saudi awal tahun ini. Di atas thobe, dia memakai aksesori unik seperti abah-abah.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Tahun lalu, pemain bola sepak Portugis ini membintangi kempen video untuk Hari Kebangsaan Saudi, yang menampilkan tarian tradisional, pedang dan pakaian.

SADIO MANE

Pemain bola sepak Senegal ini tampil bersama Ronaldo dalam kempen video itu. Dia memakai pakaian yang serupa dengan Ronaldo, memilih bisht kuning air dengan sulaman emas dan bukannya hitam.

LIONEL MESSI

Legenda bola sepak Argentina ini dinamakan sebagai duta bagi jenama pakaian mewah Arab Saudi Sayyar tahun ini. Dalam kempen itu, Messi dirakam dengan memakai pakaian tradisional yang lengkap — thobe putih segar dan sarung merah-putih.

AN, Sep 22, 2024

Bandar purba Kashgar, yang terletak di barat daya Xinjiang, berfungsi sebagai hab pengangkutan penting menghubungkan China dengan Asia Tengah dan Asia Selatan pada zaman dahulu.

Pertemuan budaya etnik yang pelbagai di rantau ini telah menimbulkan kekayaan khazanah sejarah dan budaya.

Hari ini, Kashgar telah memanfaatkan kelebihan budaya dan geografinya, berubah menjadi destinasi pelancongan unik yang menggabungkan sejarah dan kemodenan.

Dalam lapan bulan pertama 2024, Kashgar menerima lebih 19.5 juta pelancong domestik, peningkatan 29.46 peratus tahun ke tahun, dan menjana pendapatan pelancongan hampir 15.35 bilion yuan (kira-kira 2.18 bilion dolar AS), meningkat 38.83 peratus.

XINHUA