Inner Hadramawt

Shibam

The city of Shibam is located at the middle of Hadramawt valley at its narrowest part and at roads junction only 19kilometers away from Sayun.
It had served as a main center for the valley for a period of time and was the main market place. At times, it used to be dubbed as "Dimnah" and at times Shibam Alsafra. The houses of Shibam are the highest in Hadramawt, comprising of seven to eight floors and built with local mud bricks mixed with hay and ornamented with locally produced gypsum.
The city looks like a lofty citadel on a hilltop of a 30 meter height. Historically it was the second capital of Hadramawt after Shabwa. Of its attractions "Shibam fortress" which served as the reign head – quarters and is famous for its mosque which was built by Caliph Haroon Alrasheed, while its wall dates back to the sixteenth century AD.
The city has been announces an international patrimony by UNESCO and was dubbed by a European adventurer " Desert Mnhatten".

Sayun

It was a capital of the Kathiri Sultanate until 1967 and currently is the admin – istrative capital in Wadi Hadramawt and lies approximately at 365kilo – meters away from Mukalla.During the 16th century AD, it was the capital of Sultan Bin Tuwairiq.

Sayun Great mosque

Its Great mosque dates back to the 17th century AD.

The Palce of AlKathiri Sultanate

The palace dates back to the 19th century AD,built of local hay and mud bricks, reflecting a mixture of Arab Islamic and East Asian Architecture and now server as a museum . The city is walled by palm trees and is famous for its handicrafts.

City of Tarim

Tarim lies at the left bank of the valley of Hadramawt at a distant of 35 kilometers to the east of Sayun . It is a historic city and was famous for being the citadel of the Kings of the prestigious Kindah King. After Islam , it served as a didactic center mostly religious and at a time contained 365 mosques. At an earlier stage , the Kathirides adopted it as their capital .
Many of its inhabitants left to western India and formed commercial houses in Singappore and Indonesia since 1220 AD. The hebit here was for the expatriate following arrival is to build a mosque thanking god for his safe return and then build himself a house reflecting the size of his earnt wealth .Hence comes the rise in construction and the East Asian flair.