AlUla - Exhibitor Profile
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A new taste of summer in AlUla With a host of experiences, from outdoor adventures to cultural activities, AlUla has curated an exclusive offering in time for summer The north-west of Saudi Arabia attracted people who came to take advantage of the abundant resources offered by its fertile oases for thousands of years. AlUla was one of them and became a vital crossroads along the incense trade routes running from southern Arabia to Egypt and beyond. With oases dotting the area, it offered a much-needed respite for weary travellers, becoming a popular place to rest, commune and recharge. Today, the enigmatic tombs and detailed facades found here in ruins serve as lasting reminders of a civilisation that once was. Conservation and preservation efforts are still underway at the site yet AlUla is open to visitors, who come to discover the history and heritage of this ancient land. When Saudi Arabia closed its borders in response to the pandemic, domestic tourism flourished in the 3
kingdom with AlUla leading the way, inviting residents to discover its charms. Now as the kingdom prepares to welcome the world once again, AlUla has plenty in store for families and world travellers. With a host of experiences, from outdoor adventures in the vast desert to cultural activities, AlUla has curated an exclusive offering, just in time for summer.
1 Stargazing in AlUla 2 Incense Road, AlUla Old Town 3 Hegra
AlUla is of immense significance to Saudi’s cultural tourism scene 2
Visit Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site The ancient desert city of Hegra became the kingdom’s first to be inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008. It is home to thousands of tombs cut into sandstone mountains, which make for a stunning sight. Join a site tour, which will be conducted daily in summer at appropriate times to avoid the midday heat. Explore the ruins of the ancient kingdom of Dadan The area of Dadan was once just a basin covered in dust and sand. Today, it is a live excavation site and archaeologists are discovering more and more about this little known era in Arabian history every day. A tour can take you around the site to explore the magnificent stone building remnants of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms, followed by Jabal Ikmah’s open-air library of rock inscriptions in ancient languages. Walk around Old Town with a rawi Nothing brings the stories of antiquity to life quite like a tour with a rawi, who is an Arabic storyteller and guide leading tours around the Old Town of AlUla. His valuable insights make exploring the labyrinth of mud-brick buildings, which date back as early as the 12th century right through to the 20th century, even more fascinating. At the Old Town Market, visitors can sample local cuisine and even shop for traditional finds.
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Gaze into the night sky Far from city lights, some of the world’s most enviable dark skies can be found in the remote desert lands of AlUla. Against the backdrop of the dramatic rock formations found in this north-western corner of Saudi Arabia, the landscape lends itself to spectacular stargazing experiences. Hike across AlUla’s canyons AlUla offers adventure seekers an opportunity to embark on a night hike through the mystical canyons of Al Madakheel and Sharaan Nature Reserve with the chance to discover local flora, fauna and rock art under the desert’s starry skies. For an up-close view of the town’s unique topographical landscape, the Hidden Valley night hike is an immersive 90-minute journey through one of AlUla’s most secluded and enchanting canyons. VISIT STAND ME4410, ME4440, ME4408
5/12/21 12:18 AM
