Live Your Best Lives
Morocco, 18,000 kilometers away
15 days of restless journey
One person went alone
Casablanca from my dream
To the Sahara in the book
From the Strait of Gibraltar in the North Atlantic
To the quiet and peaceful blue and white town
One-third of the world's cats are found here
And the best freshly squeezed juice
Morocco is located in northwest Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and facing the European continent across the sea. Due to its former protection under treaties with France and Spain, its language and culture have been significantly influenced. Because northern Morocco is close to Spain, the first language for residents in the north is Spanish, the second is Arabic, the third is French, and finally English (the probability of speaking English is roughly the same as in China). Southern Morocco borders the Sahara Desert and, influenced by French rule, the first language for residents in the south is French, the second is Arabic, and the third is English.
Warm reminder: If you want to try to communicate in English, you must have good English pronunciation and comprehension skills, because if you can't understand the poor Arabic English, it will really make you take a lot of detours.
1. Morocco has opened a visa-free policy to Chinese citizens since June 1, 2016. As long as you hold a Chinese passport and a round-trip ticket, you can go through the transit checkpoint.
2. Before traveling, please note down the telephone number of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Morocco in case of emergency.
3. European standard sockets are used throughout Morocco, so you need to buy a universal charging adapter online first.
4. There are no banks in Morocco that directly exchange RMB for Dirhams (Dhs), so you need to exchange RMB for Euros or US dollars at a domestic bank first, and then exchange them to Dirhams after arriving at the airport in Morocco. Generally, a two-week local travel itinerary will cost less than 7,000 yuan, so it is not recommended to bring too much cash.
5. Morocco does not support payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat, but some banks support UnionPay cards. We recommend BMCE Bank, a local state-owned bank that allows direct withdrawals. The withdrawal exchange rate is based on the bank's exchange rate on the day, plus a small handling fee. Generally, the exchange rate is 1 RMB = 1.3 Dirhams.
6. Mobile phone maps are extremely important after leaving the country. Here we recommend that you use Google Maps. However, if you use the WiFi rented at the domestic airport when leaving the country, you still cannot use this map (domestic policy restrictions). Therefore, it is recommended that you apply for a phone card after arriving at the local area. The specific application details will be described in detail below.
The best seasons to travel to Morocco are spring and autumn, from mid-March to mid-June, or mid-September to mid-October. Temperatures are consistently around 20-30°C, making them quite pleasant. However, it's important to bring sunscreen and sun protection, as the sun can be intense. A long-sleeved jacket, long pants, and a short-sleeved shirt are recommended. Traveling from mid-June to mid-September can be quite hot, especially in the Sahara Desert. The rainy season, from October to March, is not conducive to travel.
1. The price of a round-trip ticket is roughly around 5,500 yuan. If you book more than two months in advance, the price can be even lower. The one-way journey takes about 24 hours, with one stopover. Therefore, Qatar Airways is the first choice. This wealthy Middle Eastern airline's food delivery model will allow you to quickly recover from the fatigue of the journey. At the same time, the in-flight meals are also equipped with a Manu ordering model, which is simply an excellent service. The recommended drink is Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur with ice cubes, paired with Gulf-style chicken rice, which tastes excellent.
2. Passport (keep a copy with you in case you lose your passport and can't remember the number), travel insurance for overseas travel (don't be reluctant to give it up, it's very necessary)
3. Prepare about 900 euros in cash
4. Bring a universal charging adapter
5. Download Google Maps in advance (although it is not available in China, downloading is still allowed)
6. If you like photography, it is recommended to bring an ultra-wide-angle lens, a 35mm focal length, and a telephoto lens according to your personal preference.
7. Change of clothes (a long-sleeved thin jacket, short-sleeved shirt, and long pants are sufficient in spring and autumn), and a sun hat
8. You can use booking.com to book the hotel, but there is still time to book once you get there.
DAY1: Various places --- transfer airport
DAY2: Transit Airport---Casablanca Airport (Mohammed V Airport)
DAY3: Casablanca-Marrakech
DAY4: Marrakech
DAY5: Marrakech-Ouarzazate
DAY6: Ouarzazate - Sahara Desert
DAY7: Sahara Desert - Fez
DAY8: Fez
DAY9: Fez-Chefchaouen
DAY10: Chefchaouen
DAY11: Chefchaouen----Tangier----Asilah
DAY12: Asilah-Rabat
DAY13: Rabat
DAY14: Rabat ---- Casablanca Airport ---- Transit Airport
DAY15: Transfer at the airport - go home
A visit to Casablanca is a must-see for the world-famous Hassan II Mosque. King Hassan II reigned for over 30 years, known for his noble character, diligence, and love for his people. He brought peace and prosperity to the country, earning him immense respect among his people. Believing this to be the guidance of God, the king decided to build a grand mosque in Morocco, the westernmost point of the Muslim world, in gratitude and named it after him. The reason for the mosque's location on the sea is said to be due to a dream in which the king received a message from Allah: "The throne of God shall be built on water."
transportation:
From Casablanca Airport, you can take a direct train to Casa Port Train Station (approximately 45 minutes). Then, at the MorocTele store, you can get a SIM card. The card costs 20 dirhams to apply, and 5GB of data is 50 dirhams to top up, valid for 30 days. The top-up process is complicated and in Arabic, so it's recommended to complete it with the assistance of a MorocTele representative. (The signal will be displayed after a successful top-up, as shown in the image below.) From the train station, the Hassan II Mosque is an 18-minute walk away. From there, you can use Google Maps to navigate along the coastal road, gradually approaching the massive mosque. Watching the sunset over the mosque from the seaside is an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable experience. Trains from Casablanca to Marrakech depart from Casa Voyage Station, with departures every two hours from 4:50 AM to 8:50 PM. Tickets are 95 dirhams. Frequent trains depart from Casa Port Station daily, allowing you to transfer to Casa Voyage Station.
Arriving in Marrakech will make you feel like you've finally arrived in a major city. Taking time to explore the Old Town is the most enjoyable and relaxing way to travel, and of course, you shouldn't miss out on exploring the heritage of the Four Imperial Cities. Also nearby is Djemaa el Fna, the region's largest souq, where vendors display a wide variety of handicrafts, textiles, and daily necessities. Bargaining for 2/3 or 3/4 of the original price is no exaggeration. Djemaa el Fna, also known as the "Sleep Square," comes alive at night. Here, freshly squeezed juice from five oranges costs just 4 dirhams, making it a must-see. The Majorelle Gardens, home to a collection of the world's most precious and luxurious flowers, is carefully curated by professional florists. Those interested in flowers should definitely visit. Admission is around 100 dirhams.
transportation:
Taking a taxi in Marrakech is a good option and relatively cheap, but remember to use the meter, otherwise the driver will charge an exorbitant price. You can also use Google to navigate bus routes.
In Marrakech, we need to sign up for a desert tour, because there are only two ways to enter the Sahara: joining a group and driving by yourself. Desert tours generally have two specifications, a 3-day 2-night route and a 4-day 3-night route. The popular classic route recommends a 3-day 2-night route, passing through Ouarzazate, Had Canyon, and arriving in the Sahara Desert for one night. The itinerary is moderate in intensity, and you can enjoy both the sunset and sunrise in the desert.
From just a few kilometers away, you can instantly spot the reddish hills, a stark contrast to the yellow sand. That's the Sahara Desert, the world's largest mobile desert. Local guides, accompanied by their own camels, lead guests on a 90-minute ride along the 30-kilometer border with Elgeria to the camp. The camel ride was as pleasant as imagined, but after 30 minutes, my inner thighs started to complain. After a hearty meal in the desert tent, night quietly fell. The most captivating sight along the border was the starry desert sky. I still vividly remember the awe-inspiring feeling I felt from that star-filled sky.
transportation:
Camel ride into the desert, and off-road vehicle ride out of the desert (included in the full tour price)
Traveling all the way from the Sahara, crossing the beautiful and fertile Atlas Mountains, we arrived in Fez, an ancient city and Muslim religious and cultural center in northern Morocco, the oldest of the four ancient kingdoms of Morocco. Fez is most famous for its ancient leather dyeing workshops and the old town of Fez. The leather dyeing workshop we visited was rebuilt after World War II and is one of the most primitive dyeing workshops currently using raw materials. The white dyeing tanks contain ecological fermentation agents (horse urine, pigeon urine, and pigeon droppings). After fully fermenting, the leather is moved to the colored dyeing tanks on the right for bleaching and dyeing in different colors, and finally dried on the terrace on the right. The entire process uses the most primitive and harmless dyes. Finding the leather dyeing workshop was a tortuous journey. The old town's complex alleys made it extremely difficult to navigate, so we relied largely on the magical Google Maps. It's important to avoid asking for directions or being led by others, as this can lead to being ripped off by tolls. Because the leather dyeing workshop's viewing stand is located on a balcony, we paid a 15-dirham entrance fee.
transportation:
There are no regular buses or trains from the Sahara Desert to Fez, so you'll have to share a taxi with others. The journey takes about seven hours, making it quite a distance. Within Fez, taxis are recommended for the best value. From Fez to other cities (Chefchaouen, Rabat, etc.), you can take a state-run bus, purchasing tickets at the CTM bus station.
In the small, remote town of Chefchaouen, the blue Tekhelel paint was originally applied by local Jews to the walls of their homes to ward off evil spirits. Other rumors say it was a prayer for peace, while others claim it repels mosquitoes. As a result, every household quickly followed suit. First, they painted their own walls and windowsills, then rooftops and stairways, and then public alleyways and squares. Over time, the entire town was transformed into the blue world it is today.
transportation:
The town of Chefchaouen is very small and can basically be walked around. Most of the accommodation areas are on the mountain and cannot be reached directly by taxi.
Recommended shooting spots:
There is a high mountain lighthouse opposite the town of Chefchaouen, which is a 20-minute walk to the top. It is an excellent location to take pictures of the whole town of Chefchaouen.
Tangier is Morocco's northernmost coastal city, where the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet. The Strait of Gibraltar, once a textbook sight, now lies at your feet. Cape Spartel, perched at the northernmost tip of the Strait of Gibraltar, serves as a guide for Spanish cargo ships sailing from the North Atlantic to the Mediterranean. From here, quietly gaze out into the distance, and you can even vaguely see the European continent.
transportation:
The only way to get from Tangier to Ras Spartel is by taxi. The lighthouse is about a 30-minute walk from Ras Spartel, but you can also take a taxi. Tangier has a train system, so you can travel from Tangier to Asilah by train, not just the CTM.
The seaside town of Asilah has a slow-paced atmosphere, a unique mural culture and a small harbor where fishing boats live. Life here can be truly leisurely, pleasant and comfortable. Asilah is a very suitable place for couples to watch the sunset together, with the sound of the tide, the gentle sunset, the bright starry sky and the quiet night.
transportation:
Asilah is a great place to walk. You can usually explore it in half a day along the coastal road. There is a direct train from Asilah to Rabat (see photo).
As the capital of Morocco, Rabat boasts the highest levels of public security and sanitation, creating a sense of complete safety throughout the city. As the nation's political and cultural center, Kasbah of the Oudayas, the ruins of Cherrá, Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V are all must-see attractions. Even the King of Morocco prays at the Mausoleum every Friday. Mohammed V built this tomb for the father of the former King Hassan II. The tomb houses the tombs of Hassan II and his brother, Prince Abdallah, on either side of the chamber. A gallery houses portraits of successive Alaouite monarchs and relics of the fifth king. Facing the tomb are the remains of Hassan Tower and the Great Mosque of Hassan, the symbol of Rabat. The Great Mosque of Hassan, once the largest mosque in North Africa, was reportedly destroyed by the devastating 1775 earthquake centered in Lisbon. The remaining 312 stone columns offer a glimpse into its former grandeur. Hassan Tower is well-preserved, with diverse carvings embodying traditional Moroccan art. [Rabat Beach] is the best place to photograph the sunset and the surging tide. The embankment built along the coast extends all the way to the sea, and it is also a gathering place for sea fishing enthusiasts.
transportation:
It is best to walk or take a taxi in the city. There are many trains to Casablanca, so don't worry, the journey takes about 1 hour.
Recommended shooting spots:
Rabat Corniche
You can go to any place in Morocco as long as you want, China-TravelNote can make it possible.
1. Do not take photos of local Muslims without permission
2. Don’t trust anyone who says they can show you the way for free, especially if they tell you that the road is closed.
3. Locals will raise prices just because you are Chinese. Don’t be upset and feel free to bargain without any etiquette conflicts.
4. Africans have the habit of taking advantage of others, so girls should avoid wearing overly revealing clothes and try to protect themselves.
5. Try to avoid going out alone at night.
6. All prices negotiated verbally must be confirmed before traveling, as locals often raise prices temporarily.
