Taiz Travel Guide, Yemen

Taiz, Yemen - Overview:

Taiz is situated in the Yemen Highlands. It is the capital city of Taiz Governorate, namely Yemen. The city is located at a height of 1500 meters above the sea level. It is located at the foot of Saber Mountain, which is 3000 meters above the sea level. This beautiful city lies very close to the Red Sea and houses around 470,000 permanent inhabitants. It is an economically and culturally developed city. It is also one of the most popular and beautiful cities since the ancient times and is very different from other conventional cities in each and every respect.

Taiz has a moderate climate. Winters are very dry and cold and summers comfortably hot. The average temperature in Taiz makes it one of the most beautiful and pleasant in the country. It remains about 32 degrees Celsius in the month of October. Monsoon rains are distributed evenly and are short in nature.

The city’s name first appeared in 1173 A.D, when Saladin’s brother Tulane Shah arrived in Yemen. The city of Taiz was refortified by Saladin’s younger brother Taktakeen, the Aubid. In 1288 A.D., Almaddhafar, the 2nd Rasulid king, established Taiz as the second capital of Rasulid dynasty following Zabid.

In the 14th century A.D., Ibn Battuttah visited Taiz and described the city to be amongst the most beautiful and largest cities of Yemen. He was greatly influenced and moved by the natural beauty of the city more so because of its position at the foothill of another beautiful mountain.

Over the years, various dynasties have ruled over Taiz. Until the late forties, it was a walled city. In 1948 it was made Yemen’s 2nd capital by Imam Ahmed and finally allowed for expansion beyond the limits of the fortified walls. Development of the city started after it was made the second capital of the country. Today, Taiz has a very large industrial base. The industry of the city revolves around cotton coffee, cheese and jewelry.

Due to the large investment made by the Hayeel Sayed group, the city of Taiz is today the largest industrial headquarter in the country. It is also the center of imports and exports.  In spite of this, it has maintained its historical charm.