The Wilayat of Bahla in the Governorate Al Dakhiliyah is one of the largest wilayats with many villages extending from the centre of the wilayat to its outskirts. These villages are characterised by their natural beauty and heritage and are attracting tourists from Oman and abroad. Wadi Al A’la Village or ‘Upper Valley’ is one of these tourist villages in the wilayat. It is about 30 km from the centre of the wilayat. It is located at the foot of the Al Koor Mountain on its eastern side and has a population of more than 3,000 people, and is called by the residents as ‘Wadi of Majesty and Beauty.’
Wadi Al A’la village derives its name from the valleys flowing from the top of the Al Koor Mountain, which meets at the entrance to the village.
At the entrance to the village or the so-called ‘Al Sabah,’ there are solid stones that were still used as chairs where the villagers sit to advise and exchange views among themselves. ‘Al Sabah’ is a heritage place which has the features of old time.
There are lot attractions for tourists in the village, including Kasfa and Umm Al Falaj, which is rich with water from the valley.
As the tourists enter the village, they can see green oases spreading through palm groves, farms, old mosque, old neighbourhood, the suburbs tower, the house of the morning and the big house till the mountains surrounding the village.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud al Hinai, Shaikh of Bani Hanah, said that Wadi Al A’la Village, under the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, has enjoyed all services including health, education and roads.
There are two schools, one for girls named Wadi Al A’la School and another one for boys, named Imam Mohammad bin Ismail Al Hadheri School for Basic Education, in addition to the pavement of the main road linking the village to the centre of the wilayat, as well as introduction of electricity since late eighties.
He added in an interview with the Oman News Agency that the villagers are currently building a new mosque for the village with a public council (Majlis) designed according to the Islamic model and modern architecture with all provided services.
He added that the large projects being implemented in the village include a mountain road linking the village Jabal Al Koor and from there to the village with Sint village in Al Koor Mountain, from there to Wadi Al Ain village in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah.
This road will contribute in revitalisating tourism in these regions and mountain villages. It will also increase social communication and shorten the distance and time of travel.
Wadi Al A’la village is famous for its fertile soil and agricultural products. It is famous for many crops, such as wheat, corn, garlic, onions and some types of vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, as well as some kinds of fruits, such as mango and orange. The village is growing wheat annually and the surplus is sold in the wilayat’s market. — ONA
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