Sharjah Ruler opens heritage sites in the emirate's deep wadis

Boutique hotels, a restored fort and a market selling honey and fruit will be new attractions in the mountain villages near Khor Fakkan

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The Ruler of Sharjah opened a new traditional market, park and mountain heritage site in an effort to boost tourism to the emirate.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi opened Shees Park, a 11,362-square metre park with a 25-metre high artificial waterfall on Thursday.

He also visited the Shees Rest House project, which is under development. When it opens, the rest house and market off Khor Fakkan road will have 60 shops selling honey, fruits, vegetables, and carpets, as well as a nursery and food trucks.

Sheikh Dr Sultan also inaugurated Najd Al Maqsar village, a community in Wadi Washi near Khor Fakkan known for its 300-year-old fortress.

Its 13 houses, each of which are at least a century old, are being restored and the fortress is also being considered for restoration. When complete, the area will have heritage hotels, a mosque and barbecue areas.

The restoration of the area is part of wider efforts to preserve the environment and revive archaeological and historical sites in Sharjah, said Dr Sheikh Sultan.

On Thursday, he also launched an environmental initiative to plant trees along the Sharjah - Khorfakkan Road. He planted fig trees, myrtle and frankincense, and said a mountain would be renamed after the trees planted on it.