Visit Saudi Arabia to admire world heritage sites and experience a unique cultural charm
🌟 This is one of the richest countries in the world, full of oil and princes, practically as wealthy as a nation. Since opening its visa policy in 2019, it further relaxed restrictions in 2022, allowing Chinese citizens to apply for e-visas with multiple entries per year and stays of up to 90 days, making travel super convenient.
Riyadh: A blend of modernity and tradition
The capital Riyadh is a city full of charm. Here stands the 99-story "Bottle Opener" — Kingdom Centre Tower. From the sky bridge at the top, you can overlook the bustling cityscape😍. There is also the UNESCO-recognized Diriyah Historic Centre, where Najdi-style architecture showcases unique Arabian flair. The "Edge of the World" northwest of Riyadh is even more breathtaking, standing in the desert as if at the world's end.
Al-Ula: Ancient legends in the desert
Located in northwest Saudi Arabia, Al-Ula is a must-visit place to experience ancient Saudi civilization and desert scenery. The Madain Salih site is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, with over 130 tombs resembling a large open-air museum. Elephant Rock, shaped like an elephant, is one of the iconic landmarks of the Al-Ula valley. There is also the world’s largest mirrored building — the Mirror Music Hall, which reflects the magnificent surrounding valley dunes by day and the desert starry sky by night, stunningly beautiful.
Jeddah: The "Maldives" by the Red Sea
Jeddah is a coastal city in Saudi Arabia with seaside charm rivaling the Maldives. The western coast near the Red Sea is an excellent spot to watch the Red Sea sunset and witness the spectacular King Fahd Fountain, one of the world’s largest fountains. The floating mosque along the Red Sea features a pure white structure with blue-green domes, extremely romantic. The historic Balad district is also a must-see, with buildings mostly constructed from Red Sea coral stone dating from the 16th to early 20th centuries, with brightly painted doors and windows full of cultural flavor.
Besides the beautiful scenery, Saudi Arabian cuisine is also very distinctive😄. Shawarma, wrapped in thin flatbread with marinated meat, fresh vegetables, and special sauces, is crispy outside and tender inside; Kabsa, the national dish, is a spiced rice dish served with lamb, chicken, or fish, rich and delicious; and snacks like Falafel and Hummus are also excellent.
In short, Saudi Arabia is a country full of mystery, with modern romance, historical civilization, desert wilderness, and uniquely stunning natural wonders — beautiful and full of treasures. If you want to experience ultimate solitude and romance, you must visit Saudi Arabia🎉.
Kingdom Tower: Located in the center of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, it is a landmark building and the largest and most important financial and economic center in Riyadh. It was once the tallest building in the Middle East and still holds the position of the second tallest in the region. The tower houses numerous offices, a five-star hotel, and 44 luxury suites. From the top of this skyscraper, you can take in the entire view of Riyadh.
(2) Old Saudi Palace: Located 16 kilometers northwest of Riyadh in the Hanifa Valley. This was the ancient capital of the former Saudi Kingdom and the birthplace of the Saudi family. The ancient city once had many mosques and was the base for Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab to spread Wahhabism. Currently, the old palace is the best-preserved site, built from mud, stone, dry grass, dry date palm leaves, and trunks, mostly two- or three-story mud buildings, many parts of which have collapsed.
(3) Masmak Fortress: Located in the southern suburbs of Riyadh, 23 kilometers from Riyadh Airport, built in 1865. In Arabic, its name means "tall and thick building," which perfectly suits this sturdy fortress. Its walls are very thick, about 18 inches, with huge 18-meter-high watchtowers at each corner, emphasizing its resistance and stability.
(4) Taif: The summer capital of Saudi Arabia, featuring luxurious residences and villas. Taif preserves many ancient relics, including castles from the Ottoman Empire, military fortresses built during the Arabian Peninsula wars, the Abdullah Al-Abbas Mosque dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, and King Faisal’s summer palace, Subra Palace.
(5) Rub' al Khali Desert: Meaning "Empty Quarter," named for covering about a quarter of the Arabian Peninsula, it is one of the largest deserts in the world.
(6) The Holy City of Mecca: Located in the middle section of the Sarawat Mountains in western Saudi Arabia, in the valley of the dried Ibrahim River. Saudi Arabia is on the Arabian Peninsula in southwest Asia, and Mecca, the first holy city of Islam, is situated in this valley.
(7) The Stone Valley (Madain Salih) Archaeological Site: Formerly known as Hegra, it is the largest preserved site of the Nabatean civilization south of Petra in Jordan.
(8) At-Turaif District of Diriyah Site: The first capital of the Saudi dynasty, located in central Arabian Peninsula northwest of Riyadh, founded in the 15th century.
(9) King Fahd Fountain in Jeddah: The tallest fountain in the world. Built between 1980 and 1983 and operational since 1985, it is unique as it is not located in a palace or square but built in the sea.
(10) Floating Mosque: Located on the Corniche in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city, right on the Red Sea shore. Supported by several thick concrete pillars, the mosque appears to stand on water from a distance, hence the name Floating Mosque. Its simple and elegant exterior, combined with the calm pool in front, creates a beautiful reflection in the water, making it even more enchanting.