Entering the National Museum of Saudi Arabia

The moment I stepped into the National Museum of Saudi Arabia, it felt as if I had entered a time tunnel—6th century BC, when the Dilmun civilization on the Arabian Peninsula was connecting the Mesopotamian region through the spice trade, while in the East, China was entering the intellectual explosion of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. These two great civilizations, thousands of miles apart, under the same starry sky, each interpreted humanity’s understanding of the world in their own way. Sand and Soil: A Dialogue Between Two Civilizations In the "Ancient Kingdoms of the Arabian Peninsula" exhibition hall, the primitive inscriptions on the Al-Ula stone carvings take your breath away. These strong, sharp engravings form a fascinating echo with the bronze inscriptions on Chinese Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes from the same period—both representing early human efforts to fix language onto a medium. The difference is that the peninsula’s ancestors recorded trade and faith on rocks, while the Central Plains ancestors inscribed power and lineage on bronze ritual vessels. The most stunning experience comes from the "Spice Road" exhibition area. The frankincense resin glistens under the lights, and I could almost imagine the caravans transporting this "desert gold" to distant lands. At the same time in China, the Silk Road was spreading silk and lacquerware westward. These two trade goods reflect different survival wisdom: desert peoples exchanged spices for essential supplies, while the agrarian civilization of China expanded its influence through exquisite handicrafts. Recommended Photo Spots 1. Spice Road Caravan Projection (1st Floor, Exhibition Hall 2): A combination of light-and-shadow moving caravan projections and physical models, perfect for silhouette photography. When the projected caravan passes over you, press the shutter to capture the mysterious feeling of time and space overlapping. 2. Al-Ula Stone Carving Wall (2nd Floor, Exhibition Hall 4): A massive stone wall covered with ancient inscriptions, with cool-toned lighting creating a solemn atmosphere. It’s recommended to wear a solid-colored long dress and stand sideways so the light and shadow outline your silhouette, engaging in a dialogue with millennia-old texts. 3. Pilgrimage Route Immersive Space (2nd Floor, Exhibition Hall 6): A 360-degree circular screen shows a continuous flow of pilgrims. Shooting video here is more impressive than photos, especially when the image of the Kaaba in Mecca blends with the sincere expressions of visitors in reality. 4. Traditional Geometric Pattern Dome (Central Hall): Golden patterns bloom against a blue background; shooting from a low angle captures the essence of Islamic art. 5. Desert Starry Sky Interactive Area (1st Floor, Rear Hall): Beneath your feet are flowing sand dune projections, and above you twinkles a starry sky. Squatting down to touch the "sand" triggers ripple-like light halos, perfect for creating dreamy-style photos. Standing in the central hall of the museum, gazing at the geometric light patterns cast by the golden dome, I suddenly understood the meaning of this comparison—not to judge superiority, but to see how human civilizations have blossomed differently in various environments. The ancestors of Saudi Arabia developed a mobile commercial civilization in the harsh desert, while the Chinese built a stable agrarian order on vast lands. One excels at crossing geographical boundaries, the other at constructing continuity through time. The photos frozen on our phones are not just souvenirs, but witnesses to a dialogue of civilizations—seeing beauty in differences, understanding ourselves through comparison. Perhaps this is the deepest insight travel can offer.