Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh Notes Under the blazing sun of the Hanifa Valley, Riyadh rises like a pearl in the desert, weaving millennia-old traditions with modern ambitions into the fabric of the city. Every corner of this Saudi capital tells a story of the dialogue between the ancient and the new. The mud-brick buildings of the old city are a testament to time. In the ochre streets of Diriyah, the brick patterns from the 18th century hide the origin story of the Saudi dynasty. When night falls, the courtyards lit by lamps resemble scenes from One Thousand and One Nights[__LINK_ICON]. Not far away, the Masmak Fortress’s thick walls glow golden in the sunset. Pushing open a wooden door feels like touching the pulse of the kingdom’s birth. The aroma of spices fills the air at the Souk Al-Zal market, where the scents of saffron and frankincense mingle with the lively bargaining between vendors and customers, creating the most vibrant street rhythm. Turn around and you fall into a modern skyline. The Kingdom Centre’s sky bridge hangs 97 floors above ground, offering a magical moment at sunset to overlook the city as it shifts from golden hues to neon colors[__LINK_ICON]. The King Fahd Fountain shoots water skyward, and the nighttime light show draws dazzling arcs across the night sky. The newly built Boulevard district is full of futuristic vibes, where traditional domes and glass curtain walls echo each other in the view from the sky garden café. Taste is a shortcut to understanding the city. At Najd Village, the hand-grabbed rice mixed with saffron aroma and camel meat dishes bring unique flavors. Paired with a cup of rich Arabic coffee, it’s an authentic local taste. Afternoon tea on the terrace of the Ritz-Carlton features honey cakes and camel milk, perfectly embodying the city’s character—refined innovation built on a traditional foundation. The city’s rhythm is found in the details: the metro has women-only cars, attractions gradually open after Friday noon, and the five daily Quran recitations mark the unchanging time scale. Amid the interplay of conservatism and openness, Riyadh is writing a future chapter on the desert with its “Vision 2030” as its pen.