Hudedah in Yemen (also spelled Al Hudaydah and Hodeidah) is one of the largest cities in the country. The heart of the Al Hudaydah Governorate, it is also home to many interesting tourist spots.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
The city is located on the coastal plain of Tihamah at the Red Sea border. The country’s bus services are extensive. They can take you to the city from almost any point. There are also taxis, minibuses and car rental services you can avail of.
What to See There
The city has several tourist attractions. The most popular are the beaches along the western coast. These are used for swimming and fishing.
The area is also known for its many valleys, not the least of which are the Wadi Zabid and Wadi Surdud valleys. Several mountains can be seen in the area. The Rass Mountains attains a height of over 6,000 ft above sea level. Bura Mountain is slightly higher at 2,400 m.
History
The succeeding years would see it exceed Mocha as Yemen’s most prominent city. In 1854, Malay writer Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir came to the city. He noted that chewing khat was commonplace.
During World War I, the place was occupied by the Germans. This was utilized when the Arab Revolt to relay information and release propaganda. The area was occupied by the Saudis during the Yemeni-Saudi War. In 1961, a fire caused heavy damage to the city. During the 1970s and 80s, the area was used by the Soviets to house their naval base.
Cost
Car rentals in the city require a US$200 deposit payable. Drivers must be at least 21 years old. Motorbike rentals are virtually nonexistent. Bus fares cost YR3 per km. Other buses may cost YR1400 for six hours or YR1100 for a 5 hour ride. Minibuses are cheaper.
Other Info
Visitors to the place should not fail to visit Zahid. It is a historical site with over 100 ancient mosques. It also used to be the site for an old prestigious university.
Hudedah in Yemen is still one of Yemen’s most vital ports. Its main exports are hides, dates, cotton and coffee.
