点评:This was my first time back to Israel in quite a while, and the first time back for my wife and I as a couple. Naturally, we visited the Western Wall a few times throughout our trip.
The Western Wall is the thought to be the holiest site in Judaism, to which thousands of Jews travel to pray, hope, mourn, or celebrate life's greatest milestones (while we were there, we even watched two separate couples propose!). It is a fascinating experience watching Jews of all types converge to this one spot to connect with their heritage. Highly recommended for all people, no matter your faith.
Many reviews before me have sung the praises of the Western Wall experience, so I will focus on some practical tips for travelers that we picked up on our trip:
1) You will have to go through security to enter the Western Wall Plaza (similar to standard airport security checkpoint). On busy days, the security checkpoint at the main entrance from the old city can get pretty backed up, but the bus entrance has TWO available checkpoints and usually moves a lot faster (you can access the bus entrance from the same steps descending from the old city).
2) This is a holy site and visitors are expected to dress modestly. There are scarves for women and head coverings for men available to borrow if needed.
3) The men's bathrooms are currently under construction, but there are a row of abundant temporary bathrooms by the main exit for those who need.
4) Beware that it gets EXTREMELY crowded during Jewish holidays (even the minor ones). Seeing so many people practice their faith openly is a wonderful sight to see, but plan extra travel time and prepare for large crowds.
5) Beware that unless you take the bus (1 or 3 line), there is a 10-15 minute walk to get to the western wall (from Jaffa gate, where the light rail and most taxis let you off).
翻译:这是我时隔许久再次回到以色列,也是我和妻子第一次以夫妻身份重返故地。自然而然,我们在旅途中多次造访了西墙。
西墙被认为是犹太教最神圣的场所,成千上万的犹太人来到这里祈祷、寄托希望、哀悼或庆祝人生中的重要时刻(我们在那里甚至亲眼目睹了两对情侣求婚!)。看着形形色色的犹太人汇聚于此,与他们的文化传承建立联系,真是一种令人着迷的体验。强烈推荐给所有人,无论信仰如何。
之前已经有很多评论盛赞了西墙之旅,所以我将重点分享一些我们在旅途中总结的实用旅行贴士:
1)进入西墙广场需要通过安检(类似于机场安检)。繁忙的日子里,老城主入口的安检处可能会非常拥挤,但巴士入口有两个安检点,通常通行速度更快(您可以从老城入口的台阶进入巴士入口)。
2)这里是圣地,游客应着装得体。如有需要,可提供女士围巾和男士头巾借用。
3)男洗手间目前正在施工,但主出口附近有一排充足的临时洗手间供有需要的游客使用。
4)请注意,犹太节日期间(即使是较小的节日)这里会非常拥挤。看到这么多人公开地进行宗教活动是一件美好的事情,但请预留额外的出行时间并做好人潮拥挤的准备。
5)请注意,除非您乘坐巴士(1路或3路),否则从雅法门(轻轨和大多数出租车的下车点)步行到西墙需要10-15分钟。