Travelers exploring the beauty of Saudi Arabia - a country the size of Western Europe

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Deserts can be some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and in KSA they come in many different shapes and forms. You can find rocky deserts where rocky mountains dominate, sandy (so-called "real" deserts) ones such as the Rub' al-Khali home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world and some of the most difficult/isolated/untouched nature in the world. As well as mountainous, volcanic/lava field, stone and fertile deserts (grasslands), and steppe-like deserts etc.

Also the sky in a desert during night is unmatched anywhere else.

A few illustrations of the different kind of deserts that can be found in KSA:

Sand dune meets mountains:

الوجه الاخر by A.Aziz Hajjaj عبدالعزيز بن حجاج, on Flickr

Valley in steppe-like desert:

Zyaan by Mohammed Albuhaisi, on Flickr

Mountainous rocky desert:

Saudi Arabia - Tabuk , by © Saud AL-Jethli, Photo, on Flickr

The View 2 . by oldwolf., on Flickr

Lakes in the desert:

Qassim by Awadh Al Hamzani Photography, on Flickr

kasser by Dr. A. Alturaigy د.عبدالله الطريقي, on Flickr

Alkasser Lake Zulfi Saudi Arabia by Dr. A. Alturaigy د.عبدالله الطريقي, on Flickr

Steppe meets desert:

Dune by Alkassim, on Flickr

Rocky/mountanious deserts:

Looking At the Sun . by oldwolf., on Flickr

Hail City by D7im Al D7im, on Flickr

I Need Ferrari for this Road . by oldwolf., on Flickr

"Real" sandy desert (Rub' al-Khali)

Those sand dunes are several 100 meters tall.

Fertile deserts:

Riyadh Desert Saudi KSA Spring by Life-Style, on Flickr

وادي البردي-ينبع 2 by asim mawwad -عاصم معوض, on Flickr

Lines to Reflection by Abdulmajeed Al Juhani, on Flickr

This below is part of the huge ancient Mada'in Saleh (World UNESCO Heritage Site) archeological complex that the indigenous to Hijaz and Northern Arabia/Southern Levant ancient Nabateans built. The same guys built numerous other World UNESCO Heritage Sites in places such as Jordan (Petra), Syria (Bosra) and Israel in Negev (Avdat)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabataeans

"Jane Taylor, a writer, describes them as "one of the most gifted peoples of the ancient world".[2]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mada'in_Saleh

View . by oldwolf., on Flickr

Also there are many landscapes in KSA that are almost exactly the same as those found in Southern Africa. Safari-like landscapes. I have posted some of of such photos a long time here but I will try to post some new ones.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Some people might wonder how a typical traditional desert village might look like or rather looked like in KSA. After all many people associate KSA with desert much like any Muslim/Middle Eastern country although KSA and the region offers so much more.

A good example to show here is Ushaiger which is a typical example of an ancient Najdi village. It has been restored to its former glory and is cared for by the government, locals and private investors. Unfortunately one cannot say the same thing about every of the 1000's upon 1000's of other similar village pearls in Najd or KSA as a whole.

Quite a few of them are in a very bad state and they should be renovated. This is due to the rapid urbanization and many of the villages have simply been left to decay basically.
It's sad if you ask me but there is hardly any taste left in this modern world with the architecture all looking the same without a soul or artistic elegance.
I much, much prefer our own ancient architectures found in the Arab world (the first of its kind in the world) from Morocco to Oman than modern Western architecture in the form of skyscrapers, concrete, glass and more concrete and glass.

The video below shows the extent of the village and the renovation work from a bird's-eye view.

This village is like any other village in this part of Najd however the big difference here is that the few remaining locals, investors and the government decided to renovate it. It would be excellent if small as big heritage sites could be renovated everywhere in the Arab world and the MENA region. If this would not have occurred this particular village would be left to decay.

​

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Ushaiger <3 (2/3) by мoh'Ď и♡, on Flickr

Jalajil & Ushayqir Trip: October 2, 2009 by luis©patag, on Flickr


Ushaiger Village by Leslie Fiestan, on Flickr

25 meter tall watchtower. Very typical of Najd. Almost every village had/has it.






Jalajil & Ushayqir Trip: October 2, 2009 by luis©patag, on Flickr

American tourists.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

People are sometimes astonished or at least very surprised that there is snowfall in much of KSA during winter.

Here are some examples of this rather normal occurrence (in some parts of KSA at least - mostly the North):

Snowfall back in November 2014 near Al-Zulfi in the nearby desert. Some 260 km northwest of Riyadh.

Looks surreal.

Desert, greenery and snow. A nice and unique combination not often seen!

Snow in Northern Hijaz (Tabuk area). An yearly occurrence during winter.

Saudi Arabia Snow by ABO_TMEEM, on Flickr

This above could easily have been taken somewhere in Arizona/New Mexico/Nevada during winter. But no, that's northern Hijaz during winter.

Yes, KSA is a country of many hidden pearls. An unknown kingdom indeed. I guess that this is part of the charm for people unfamiliar with KSA and most foreigners in general. However the problem is that many people have no idea about what KSA has to offer and if I showed outsiders this thread to them I can almost guarantee that 99,99% of them would be very pleasantly surprised and many of them would afterwards like to visit if politics/laws were kept as a separate topic of discussion and had no impact on their travel.

 

[nahtanbob]

Well, Google should help you with that.

thanks for the labels ...

Deserts can be some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and in KSA they come in many different shapes and forms. You can find rocky deserts where rocky mountains dominate, sandy (so-called "real" deserts) ones such as the Rub' al-Khali home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world and some of the most difficult/isolated/untouched nature in the world. As well as mountainous, volcanic/lava field, stone and fertile deserts (grasslands), and steppe-like deserts etc.

Also the sky in a desert during night is unmatched anywhere else.


Also there are many landscapes in KSA that are almost exactly the same as those found in Southern Africa. Safari-like landscapes. I have posted some of of such photos a long time here but I will try to post some new ones.

Southwest USA (Arizona, Nevada) have striking similar landscapes

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

thanks for the labels ...



Southwest USA (Arizona, Nevada) have striking similar landscapes

Contrary to popular belief not all Americans are ignorant when it comes to geography or the world for that matter. You would be surprised how many ignorant Saudi Arabians there are in terms of the treasures of their own country. This is due to the size of KSA and due to the fact that transportation, in many areas, is difficult and the geographic distances are huge. Obviously mostly talking about the youth here who care more about Fortnite and what not than some epic volcano in Northern Hijaz.
I know. Been there. As have many parts of Mexico. The latitude is similar so not a huge surprise. The difference is that KSA has plenty of areas that put Grand Canyon to shame (as can be seen) but those are completely unknown areas. That is if we are talking about desert/steppe/canyon landscapes.

Anyway I love the nature in a desert. The night sky. The clean air. The freedom. The huge landmasses. The wild nature. The contrast between day and night. The landscapes. When you are in such a landscape you understand why Arabs put so much emphasis on poetry. It really makes you think.

Don't get me wrong, I love mountains as well, plenty of that in KSA, coastline (as well), beaches, islands, agricultural areas, flat land etc. In general I just love nature and the more I sit in a city for very long periods the more I crave for nature.

Hence picnicking and going out in the nature and hanging out smoking shisha, making a fire, doing some food, play some cards etc. is a popular thing in KSA or at least used to be. Youth nowadays prefer sitting inside in front of their computer like anywhere else.

For instance I doubt that many of nowadays youth have ever ridden a horse out in the wild. Such experiences are what the youth of today in most of the world are missing. The connection wit the nature. Something essential for Arabs historically. Be it farming (agriculture originated in our lands), pasturing (same case), nomadism (moving from place to a new place depending on the season and what the land offers) etc. That pact with nature. It's mostly gone. Which in turn gave rise to our artistic civilization. Now most people of the world are sitting in their houses/flats trapped and looking at concrete most of the time. Or using technology 24/7. That is "civilization" while the village dweller let alone, God forbid, the Bedouin is looked at as some backward alien although he has far more knowledge about nature and could survive out in the wild while a city dweller would die within 24 hours. Of either boredom or incompetence. All that materialistic nonsense as well. Never gave me any happiness although I never lacked or likely will lack anything in this regard. Just made me even more hopeless about the situation of mankind. So many slaves working chasing that paycheck and the materialistic items it enables them to potentially buy. Sad stuff. Excuse my blabbering just got me thinking.

 

[nahtanbob]

Contrary to popular belief not all Americans are ignorant when it comes to geography or the world for that matter. You would be surprised how many ignorant Saudi Arabians there are in terms of the treasures of their own country. This is due to the size of KSA and due to the fact that transportation, in many areas, is difficult and the geographic distances are huge. Obviously mostly talking about the youth here who care more about Fortnite and what not than some epic volcano in Northern Hijaz.

20-30% of the population is quite knowledgeable. they might not know saudi geography but they know bunch of things.
Half the population is quite ignorant

 

[Thorough Pro]

Stunning beauty and mostly hidden side of KSA

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

There are no permanent rivers in KSA (other than small mountain rivers) but there are 1000's of wadis (non-permanent rivers and river beds that spring to life when it rains) and they can look quite spectacularly if put to life.

Example:







Some of the longest rivers (in the past) where once located in KSA and they are described in old scriptures such as the Bible and the Torah.

Just like in the past where the Wadi al-Rummah regularly had water flow from the Red Sea to the Gulf!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_al-Rummah

Not many millennia ago KSA was home to some of the largest lakes and longest rivers in the world.



During floods to this very day wadis (non-permanent rivers some of them 1000 km long) are getting flooded and flowing for a few days/weeks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wadis_of_Saudi_Arabia

The four historical Eden rivers!



3 of them crossing through Arabia!

https://godshotspot.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/eden-garden-rivers/

Wadi Al-Rummah during the huge floods back in 2008!

It will be 10 years in 1-2 months time. Usually it occurs every 10 years once!





https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0069665

https://www.andrewlawler.com/in-search-of-green-arabia/

https://www.researchgate.net/post/A..._largest_river_any_official_names_for_the_two

Cooling a planet with Revegetation, with special attention to the Arabian Peninsula, and a method to significantly increase water resources of the area.

http://www.ecoseeds.com/juicy.gossip.fourteen.html

Ancient 6,000 year old, Empty Quarter lake bed, seen from 30.6 miles, Google Earth image. Looking from the UAE across KSA into the Sultanate of Oman.

Ancient 6,000 year old, Empty Quarter lake bed, seen from 24,000 feet, Google Earth image.

Wadi Hanifa development, Saudi Arabia

Aim: To restore and develop Wadi Hanifa, a valley of over 100 km which runs from the south to the north of Riyadh, and is located on the west side of the city. The project sought to redevelop the area as an environmental, recreational and tourism resource.

Location: The city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 5 million people.

Duration: The programme commenced in 2001 and is ongoing.

Funding: The programme is funded by the Saudi Government.

Lead agency: Arriyadh Development Authority.

Key focus: To improve the land scape and restore the natural beauty of Wadi Hanifa, thus enhancing the environmental quality of the area, improving accessibility, and providing a huge public recreational space.

Before

After
Key components for physical activity

The primary aim of the project was for the restoration of the natural environment, however a secondary outcome was the creation of a recreational area which supports physical activity for the whole community.

Evaluation: No evaluation has been undertaken.

Key factors contributing to the success of the project: The central location and huge expanse of the Wadi Hanifa means that the whole population of Riyadh can benefit from this improved public space.

Challenges

• The scale of the project - spanning over 100 km of distance.
• Required a very large financial investment.
• The Intensive planning and co-ordination processes.

http://www.emro.who.int/health-educ...es/wadi-hanifah-development-saudi-arabia.html

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Stunning beauty and mostly hidden side of KSA

Very welcome.

Some more random photos.

Eastern Province









Road in Tabuk province. Volcanic rocks and red sand.

Al-Masjid al-Haram


Madinah:



Hijaz again and the South









Local hats (traditional) worn by women in Southern Hijaz and parts of the South:



Old Khyber from air:





Riyadh:



More greenery will occur as millions of tree will be planted in the capital and one of the largest parks (city parks) in the world are planned.

Hijaz:





Abha and surroundings:

 

[Bengal71]

Is any tourist visa available to Saudi Arabia? Last time I went for hajj but that was hajj visa and could not see anything.

The green areas are very beautiful, which region are they located in?

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

Mostly Hijaz and the South but not only

Saudi KSA ASER by Ammar Alsouso, on Flickr

Untitled by Gebrel Alasiri, on Flickr

Al-Faifa montains:



Haql in northwestern Hijaz next to Jordan, Egypt and not far from Eilat in Israel:



Abha area


Baljurashi - Al-Bahah region (Hijaz):



Coffee tree plants (the coffee tree originates from Arabia and Ethiopia) in Jazan, Southern KSA:



Local olives from Northern KSA (Al-Jouf region) which is home to the largest olive farm in the world and recognized as such by Guinness World Records Book.



Typical landscape of parts of Northern KSA. Steppe like, flat and often agricultural. Syrian Steppe.


Red Sea:

Is any tourist visa available to Saudi Arabia? Last time I went for hajj but that was hajj visa and could not see anything.

Nowadays there is a tourism visa. Before religious pilgrims could only visit Makkah and Madinah. Hardly seeing anything of the country. Less than 0,1%. Much easier to visit today and tourism infrastructure projects (many very promising and huge) are being built all across the country and locals are getting educated in terms of the hospitality sector. However yet not enough to welcome hordes of tourists. KSA is in the top 15 of most visited countries in the world already but mostly due to religious pilgrimage, business and labor. Less so to explore what a huge country like KSA has to offer which is a lot. In other words less so in terms of actual traditional tourism. Will change for the better now although this is just the beginning.

 

[Bengal71]

Nowadays there is a tourism visa. Before religious pilgrims could only visit Makkah and Madinah. Hardly seeing anything of the country. Less than 0,1%. Much easier to visit and tourism infrastructure projects (many very promising and huge) are being built all across the country and locals are getting educated in terms of the hospitality sector. KSA is in the top 15 of most visited countries in the world but mostly due to pilgrimage, business and labor. Less so to explore what a huge country like KSA has to offer which is a lot. Will change for the better now although this is just the beginning.

I don't have much interest in the man made structures. But the photos of the green mountainous areas, the lake in the middle of the desert and and the natural beaches with mountains behind them attract me.

 

[ArabianEmpires&Caliphates]

I don't have much interest in the man made structures. But the photos of the green mountainous areas, the lake in the middle of the desert and and the natural beaches with mountains behind them attract me.

So you are not much of a heritage guy? Well, KSA has plenty of ancient heritage sites. Some of the largest numbers of ancient heritage sites in the region and world in fact and much of it is left untouched due to the mostly arid climate and it being closed off from the world. We even have one of the oldest church ruins in the world. Google Jubail Church. 1700 years old.

Nature is great. In KSA you have plenty of mountains, desert, steppe, stunning coastline, almost 2000 islands, mostly tropical, large agricultural areas, rocky mountains, volcanic areas (most volcanos and volcanic areas in the region), ancient heritage, newer cities, old villages, modern cities, US-like areas with new residential areas, huge shopping areas, malls etc. Very traditional areas (mountain villages) in the South etc. Wadis, lakes, stunning beaches (best in the region alongside Yemen and Oman) etc.

Huge geographical areas. Freedom. You can visit the Rub al-Khali and not encounter people for months and years. Same with other areas of the country. That is something that only few countries in the world can offer. Not to mention great climate most of the year and plenty of sunshine! Just avoid the 3 summer months unless you visit the mountainous areas and unless you can handle heat.

Asir region:

 

[Bengal71]

So you are not much of a heritage guy? Well, KSA has plenty of ancient heritage sites. Some of the largest numbers of ancient heritage sites in the region and world in fact and much of it is left untouched due to the mostly arid climate and it being closed off from the world. We even have one of the oldest church ruins in the world. Google Jubail Church. 1700 years old.

Nature is great. In KSA you have plenty of mountains, desert, steppe, stunning coastline, almost 2000 islands, mostly tropical, large agricultural areas, rocky mountains, volcanic areas (most volcanos and volcanic areas in the region), ancient heritage, newer cities, old villages, modern cities, US-like areas with new residential areas, huge shopping areas, malls etc. Very traditional areas (mountain villages) in the South etc. Wadis, lakes, stunning beaches (best in the region alongside Yemen and Oman) etc.

Huge geographical areas. Freedom. You can visit the Rub al-Khali and not encounter people for months and years. Same with other areas of the country. That is something that only few countries in the world can offer. Not to mention great climate most of the year and plenty of sunshine! Just avoid the 3 summer months unless you visit the mountainous areas and unless you can handle heat.

Asir region:

No man I like heritage a lot. The photos of older parts of your cities you posted makes me feel like want to go there now. Those older buildings with their balconies made out of timber are just gorgeous. Also the village photos with the village streets with stone pavement are just awesome.

What I meant was modern tourist cities like Phuket, Hong Kong like places where there are too many modern futuristic looking buildings and man made tourist attractions just put me off.

When I was in Madinah, I stayed in a hotel right next to the Masjid Nababi. I didn't like those parts of the city TBH because of too many modern hotels and buildings but we were taken on a guided tour on the other parts of the city where you can get the vibe of older times. Also went to see mount uhud, I didn't want to come back. Inshallah I want to go back, this time not really for Hajj but probably for tourism. I just need to find a long holiday.

I went hajj in 2014 around September and I had no issues with the heat, is that your hotter times or cooler times?

 

[Bengal71]

So you are not much of a heritage guy? Well, KSA has plenty of ancient heritage sites. Some of the largest numbers of ancient heritage sites in the region and world in fact and much of it is left untouched due to the mostly arid climate and it being closed off from the world. We even have one of the oldest church ruins in the world. Google Jubail Church. 1700 years old.

Nature is great. In KSA you have plenty of mountains, desert, steppe, stunning coastline, almost 2000 islands, mostly tropical, large agricultural areas, rocky mountains, volcanic areas (most volcanos and volcanic areas in the region), ancient heritage, newer cities, old villages, modern cities, US-like areas with new residential areas, huge shopping areas, malls etc. Very traditional areas (mountain villages) in the South etc. Wadis, lakes, stunning beaches (best in the region alongside Yemen and Oman) etc.

Huge geographical areas. Freedom. You can visit the Rub al-Khali and not encounter people for months and years. Same with other areas of the country. That is something that only few countries in the world can offer. Not to mention great climate most of the year and plenty of sunshine! Just avoid the 3 summer months unless you visit the mountainous areas and unless you can handle heat.

Asir region:

No man I like heritage a lot. The photos of older parts of your cities you posted makes me feel like want to go there now. Those older buildings with their balconies made out of timber are just gorgeous. Also the village photos with the village streets with stine pavement are just awesome.

What I meant was modern tourist cities like Phuket, Hong Kong like places where there are too many modern futuristic looking buildings and man made tourist attractions just put me off.

When I was in Madinah, I stayed in a hotel right next to the Masjid Nababi. I didn't like those parts of the city TBH because of too many modern hotels and buildings but we were taken on a guided tour on the other parts of the city where you can get the vibe of older times. Also went to see mount uhud, I didn't want to come back. Inshallah I want to go back, this time not really for Hajj but probably for tourism. I just need to find a long holiday.

I went hajj in 2014 around September and I had no issues with the heat, is that your hotter times or cooler times?