By Xinhua writer Wang Qiang
MUSCAT, March 30 (Xinhua) -- It is always a pleasure to walk along Muscat's beach on a sunny morning. The golden light pours over the city's corniche, illuminating the rugged mountains and the strikingly blue Arabian Sea.
Having traveled extensively across the Middle East, I find that Oman always stands out as something extraordinary -- an understated gem I'm eager to share.
The sultanate has cultivated a quiet resilience, striking a delicate balance between deeply rooted traditions and a forward-looking vision.
My first encounter with Oman came during my time stationed in Qatar, marking the beginning of a journey of discovery. With each visit, I've come to appreciate how this country defies simple categorization and reveals new facets of its identity.
Muscat, the capital, seamlessly blends the old with the new. Here sea turtles glide through crystalline waters just meters from the bustling Mutrah Souq, one of the region's oldest markets. The air, rich with the scent of frankincense and spices, serves as a sensory bridge connecting modern Oman to its past as a maritime trading powerhouse.
The city's charm lies not in grand monuments but in its unique contradictions: sleek highways weaving through honey-hued fortresses, and fishermen hauling their catch alongside luxury yachts in marinas that blend effortlessly into the natural harbor.
This delicate equilibrium -- between progress and preservation -- reflects Oman's broader philosophy, a deliberate approach to development that prioritizes cultural heritage over rapid urbanization.
To fully grasp Oman's narrative, one must venture beyond the capital. A 1,000-km journey south to Salalah unveils a landscape that undergoes almost mythical transformations.
During the Khareef monsoon season, arid plains burst into valleys of emerald green, a sight so surreal that Chinese expatriates have dubbed the region the "Middle Eastern Jiuzhaigou," after China's famed valley known for its breathtaking waterfalls.
Yet Salalah's significance goes beyond its seasonal spectacle. It is the historic heart of Dhofar, a land once renowned for its frankincense, a resin so precious that it shaped ancient trade networks stretching to China. Centuries ago, Arab and Chinese merchants braved treacherous seas, exchanging silk, spices and ideas, laying the groundwork for a cultural dialogue that persists today.
A testament to this enduring connection emerged in 2023 with a monument in Salalah honoring Zheng He, the Ming Dynasty Chinese explorer whose voyages epitomized peaceful exchange. The sculpture's fluid lines, evoking both ocean waves and ship prows, symbolize a shared history built on curiosity rather than conquest.
This nod to the past is very much forward-looking. As Oman accelerates its Vision 2040 strategy -- an ambitious plan to transition from oil dependency toward sustainable industries like renewable energy and eco-tourism -- such partnerships take on new relevance.
China, now Oman's largest oil importer, has expanded its role through Belt and Road Initiative collaborations in solar energy and port infrastructure, demonstrating that ancient trade routes can adapt to modern ambitions.
This synergy between heritage and innovation is also evident in Oman's northernmost region. The Musandam Peninsula, often called the "Norway of Arabia," is a labyrinth of inlets where dolphins leap alongside traditional dhows, a scene that shatters the desert stereotype of the Gulf.
Local governor Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed al Busaidi spoke passionately about positioning Musandam as an eco-tourism haven, targeting travelers weary of overcrowded destinations.
"We're not chasing mass tourism," he said, "but meaningful experiences rooted in nature and authenticity."
This vision resonates throughout the country, from the coral-filled waters of the Daymaniyat Islands in the Gulf of Oman to the vast sand dunes of the Empty Quarter, where Bedouin guides share their deep knowledge of the desert's natural rhythms.
Oman's approach to progress is neither timid nor flashy. Investments in ports, logistics hubs and green hydrogen projects unfold alongside meticulous heritage conservation.
As the sun sets below Muscat's skyline, painting the Al Hajar Mountains in gradients of rose and copper, Oman's landscapes mirror its national ethos.
Its story is not proclaimed loudly, but whispered in the rustling of date palms, the laughter of children in souq alleyways, and the rhythmic creak of dhows sailing toward horizons. ■
