Hulhumalé

城市概覽

Malé is home to over 250,000 people, on island only 1.87 km (1.16 mi) long and 1.5 km (0.93 mi) wide. By some measures, it is the world's densest city. The new island of Hulhumalé, built (as the name says) between Malé and Hulhulé (the airport island), has been reclaimed from the sea to provide some much-needed extra space. The neighbouring islands Hulhumalé (artificial) and Villimalé are served by frequent and very cheap public ferries and provide much quieter get-aways from the capital city. To see the "real" Maldives (i.e. the ones familiar from postcards) you have to get further away, of course.

Orientation

Malé's main street Boduthakurufaanu Magu, home to banks and most government buildings, runs across the coastline of the island. Roughly in the middle is the square of Jumhooree Maidhaan (Republic Square), a handy reference point since it has a giant flagpole visible from far away. From the flagpole extends a series of ten jetties running eastward, with jetty #1 (the Presidential Jetty) right in front of the square and jetties #9 and #10, used by the airport ferry, at the northeastern tip of the island.

如何抵達

1 Velana International Airport (MLE IATA) (on the neighboring island of Hulhulé). The airport has a bank, money changers, ATM, food court, luggage storage located just outside the arrivals area, and a nursing room. Free wi-fi (2h) is available. For more information visit the friendly information kiosk at arrivals. Note that you will not be allowed into the airport's air-conditioned departures area until flight check-in opens, usually 2-3h before your flight. (updated Mar 2019) Most visitors to the Maldives are met by travel agent representatives right outside customs, who then whisk them away to their resorts by speedboat or seaplane. If your destination is the city itself, turn left and head for the public ferry dock. Ferries (MVR15, 10 min) leave the airport every 15min from 06:00 to 20:30, and every 30min until 00:00; in the opposite direction they run from 05:30 to 23:00. Another option is to take a taxi or bus. There are fixed rates for taxis ranging from MVR70-90 based on distance (i.e. Malé, Hulhumalé Phase I, or Hulhumalé Phase II).

當地交通

Malé is small enough to walk around in an hour, and almost all sights are concentrated on the north shore, within a 15-min walk from the airport ferry. Public transportation in Malé City is available in taxis, which charge a fixed rate of Rf 30, Rf 70 Malé to the airport, Rf 80 Hulhumalé phase 1 to the airport, Rf 85 Hulhumalé phase 2 to the airport, Rf 85 between Malé and Hulhumalé phase 1, Rf 100 between Malé and Hulhumalé phase 2, Rf 40 between Hulhumalé phase 1 and phase 2, Rf 5 extra between 00:00 and 06:00. No charge for trunk usage. Taxis can be booked via Avas Ride and MTCC Malé Taxi Line mobile app. MTCC Greater Malé Bus operates metro bus service between Malé, Hulhumalé and within Hulhumalé and Malé, shuttle bus service between Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé, Hulhulé, which charges Rf 10 to main routes, Rf 5 within Hulhumalé, Rf 7 within Malé, Rf 15 between Hulhumalé phase 2, Malé and Hulhulé. You could pay directly with contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex, or a touchlink card which can be purchased for Rf 20. MTCC bus tickets can also be bought via Raajje Transport Link (RTL) website and mobile app. Metro buses are not able to hold luggage. Expect the buses to be crowded during rainy weather, and take the timings as a rough estimate, since traffic density weighs down heavily on them. MTCC ferries run between Malé and Hulhumalé from Henveiru ferry terminal (same building as the airport ferry) every 1h (MVR10, 20min), departing 07:30-23:30 from Malé and 07:00-23:00 from Hulhumalé.

必看景點

1 Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy). Built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, intricately carved with Arabic writings and ornamental patterns. 2 Kalhu Vakaru Miskiy (northwest corner of Sultan Park). One of the most historic mosques in the city. 3 Republic Square (Jumhooree Maidhaan), Boduthakururufaanu Magu (Malé's centrepoint, on the north coast). This little park, marked by a flagpole with a giant Maldivian flag, was the area where the events of 7 February 2012 led to the resignation of the president. It's also the focal point of every political demonstration in the capital, and hence has a heavy security presence buttressed by the police HQ in the Shaheed Hussain Adam Building next door. If you're feeling lost, there is an extremely helpful tourist map here, marked with most of the major locations in Malé. (updated Sep 2017) 4 Islamic Centre (Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam) (Orchid Magu, just south of Jumhooree Maidhaan (Republic Square)). Malé's best-known architectural landmark. The complex contains the largest mosque in the Maldives, topped with a golden dome and capable of accommodating 5,000 people. Visitors are welcome inside outside prayer hours. 5 Ministry of Defence HQ (Bandaara Koshi, Bandeyrige), Ameer Ahmed Magu (off Republic Square, opp Islamic Center). Emphatically, not a tourist attraction, the sinister, windowless white bulk of the renamed National Security Service (the Maldivian secret police), topped with guard towers every few meters and strict admonitions not to photograph it, is an unmissable sight in central Malé and a reminder of the iron fist that has the country in a stranglehold. 6 Sultan Park and National Museum. Sa-Th 09:00-17:00. The sole surviving building of what was once the Sultan's palace is now the Maldivian National Museum, housing a scruffy, haphazard collection of royal regalia and old photographs, including three moon rocks and a faded Maldivian flag that went to the moon. At least there

體驗活動

There is a small artificial beach on the east coast, about a ten-minute stroll from the airport ferry. It's not much compared to other beaches on the Maldives, especially as most locals bathe fully clothed, but there is some excellent surfing if you're experienced enough, including the southeast corner of Malé near the Sinamalé Bridge. Whale Submarine, H. Abadhahfehi Magu, ☏ +960 333 3939. You may not see whales, but this 30- to 40-minute submarine trip will expose you to the ocean life just off the coast of Malé. Sit on the left-hand side of the submarine for the best views and don't drink too much water before you leave-- there's no toilet on board! Operate every day except Monday and Friday. The payment has to be made in US dollars and the website states they accept cards . (updated Nov 2018) Cruise-maldives.com, ☏ +960 755 0772, [email protected]. Departing from Malé or Hulhumalé you can book in advance day tour and activities such as snorkelling & sandbank cruises, a full day trip to luxury resorts, sunset dolphins cruises, fishing cruises, etc. You can also book a private safari boat and cruise among the Maldives for a few days, book water sport activities and reserve budget private transfer to the resorts.

購物

Local Market (on the Northern waterfront, a block away from t