Discover - Culture & Travel (Saudi Arabia)

 

SAUDI ARABIA - WAITING TO BE EXPLORED

Visit Riyadh, Capital Saudi Arabia - Masmak Fortress. Credit: globtreks.com

Virtually unknown, Saudi Arabia launched its tourist visas for the first time in September 2019.

Carve a new experience, travel the places that haven’t seen many visitors. Travel through time, discover otherworldly landscapes and Archaeological Wonders.

Opening up to tourism, touting massive new futuristic hotels and developments (phase one completion 2023), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a country on the Arabian Peninsula, which hides many secrets, including vast deserts that shroud ancient cities.

A KINGDOM WITH A RICH HISTORY AND CULTURE

The capital Riyadh, the country’s wealthy heart

One of the city’s most prominent landmarks is the Masmak Fortress, which means strong. It was built using clay and mud-brick and is now a museum. Further, a worthy exploration is the capital's traditional marketplace, Deerah Souq, with promises of splendid delights.

Visit Riyadh - Deerah Soug (traditional market). Credit: globtreks.com

North West

AlUla, The Crow Jewel (Public Debut, November 2020)

Once a thriving international trade hub, the archeological site of Hegra (also known as Mada'in Saleh) has been left practically undisturbed for almost 2,000 years. (Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images). Credit: Smithsonian magazine

Previously, foreign tourists had to obtain special permission from the government to visit, which fewer than 1,000 did each year (Royal Commission for AlUla). Credit: Smithsonian magazine

Hegra’s largest tomb, measuring about 72 feet tall, is the monolithic Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, sometimes called Qasr al-Farid. (Royal Commission for AlUla). Credit: Smithsonian magazine

Mada’in Saleh, known as HEGRA - Saudi's silent desert city

Al Madinah Region in the Hejaz, ‘houses’ Mada’in Saleh, Saudi Arabia’s silent desert city - Saudi Arabia's answer to Petra. The world’s largest living museum and practically undisturbed for almost 2,000 years.

Like Petra, without the crowds, one of Saudi Arabia’s major historical landmarks Mada’in Saleh, known as HEGRA to the Nabataeans, is stunningly well preserved. The Nabateans built the city, and it is the second-largest Nabatean city, right after Jordanian Petra. It played a crucial role in their mysterious empire.

Built-in the 1st century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., Mada'in Saleh features around 131 monumental-sized tombs carved into the rock face with elaborately ornamented façades to explore. Hegras’ integrity is remarkable, bearing witness to Assyrian. Egyptian, Phoenician and Hellenistic influences. 

Old Town

Al_Ula_old_town, Saudi_Arabia. Credit: en.wikipedia.org

Read more. Smithsonian magazine

     “HEGRA, AN ANCIENT CITY IN SAUDI ARABIA UNTOUCHED FOR MILLENNIA, MAKES ITS PUBLIC DEBUT

The archaeological site, now open to tourists, offers clues about the mysterious empire that built it and its more famous sister city of Petra in Jordan

In the scrub-speckled desert north of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, rocky outcrops and giant boulders the size of buildings, beautifully carved and with classical-style pediments and columns, poke out of the sands like divinely scattered seeds. As the sun sets, the dusty colors flare, revealing pockmarks and stains caused by rain, which has shaped these stones for millennia.”

While Hegra is being promoted to tourists for the first time, the story that still seems to get lost is that of the ancient empire responsible for its existence. (Royal Commission for AlUla). Credit: Smithsonian magazine

“This is a direct citation” BY LAUREN KEITH SMITHSONIANMAG.COM, Nov. 23, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/hegra-ancient-city-saudi-arabia-untouched-for-millennia-makes-its-public-debut-180976361

South-West

Asir, Saudi Arabia - Richard Wilding. Credit: richardwilding.com

The Asir Mountains are fascinating to explore and can reach almost 3,000 metres high. The mountains are rugged, steep, at places covered in forest, and comprises numerous plateaus and valleys. Take the cable car from Al Souda's village to get to Mt. Jabal Sawda, the highest peak. The landscape with its dotted basalt rock columns is a legacy of the battles that raged here a century ago. The Wadi Habala canyon is where an astounding panorama unfolds, namely that of the misty mountain peaks reaching downwards towards the Red Sea.

East

Al-Hofuf and Al-Qarah Mountain

The city of Al-Hofuf lies in the East of Saudia Rabiae, renowned for the world’s largest productions of dates. That’s why you should explore one of the oases, which are lush green worlds of streams and gardens. There are many old palaces and traditional souqs in the old part of the city where you can try out your haggling skills.

A truly spectacular attraction is the enormous underground complex in Al-Qarah Mountain, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. 

The Red Sea - Jeddah. Credit: abouther.com

On the Red Sea coast lies the country’s second-largest city, Jeddah. The city’s a mixture of all cultures, cuisines and people. The spices and herbs market is exciting. So, is the old town in Ballad, where traditional houses lie hidden among the cobbled streets. Of course, there are also many options for exploring the Red Sea's beauty, especially its coral reefs.

Note

Impressive, Saudi Arabia is the largest country without a permanent river!

A useful piece of advice, entering the country is impossible if your passport has an Israeli stamp.

The locals rarely see strangers, so being careful when communicating with them is an excellent way to go.

Uncover incredible riches – preserved tombs, sandstone outcrops, historic dwellings and monuments that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history. 

I hope our quick, little excursion around Saudi Arabia has inspired you to plan your own journey to unlock its history, heritage sites and natural wonders.

When we can travel again, an excellent choice for the travel diary, I recommend traveling and exploring the incredible and unique sights Saudi Arabia has to offer.

A unique experience you won’t forget ****