Must-visit Archaeological Site: Bahrain Fort

Bahrain is a relatively niche travel destination in the Middle East, especially since there are currently no direct flights from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, or Beijing to Bahrain. Yesterday, during a 7-hour layover, I entered Bahrain and took a ride-share from the airport. It took about 35 minutes to reach Bahrain Fort (قلعة البحرين), with a one-way fare of approximately 6 Bahraini Dinars. At the entrance of the Bahrain Fort site, there is a small Bahrain Fort Museum. This is the only place in the entire site where you can store bags and luggage for free, and it also houses the only free restroom in the area. The Bahrain Fort site itself does not require an entrance fee, but visiting the museum inside costs 2 Bahraini Dinars. Excavation work at Bahrain Fort began in 1954, and the fort was originally constructed as early as 2300 BC by various builders, including the Kassites, Portuguese, and Persians. Since 2005, Bahrain Fort has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is quite expansive, and many areas lack barriers, allowing visitors to get up close to the ruins. Outdoor exploration takes about 2 hours, so be sure to prepare adequately for sun protection. Additionally, since Bahrain's public transportation is not well-developed, with buses running only once per hour on average, I recommend using ride-share services for round trips to save time waiting for buses.