Abha
Saudi’s City in the Sky Text by Syed Shabbir Siraj Photos by Adel Batterjee
A day spent exploring old mud-brick villages, breathing refreshing mountain air, absorbing rich cultural heritage, and taking cable-car rides in Abha are just some of the experiences that make this capital city of the Asir province one of Saudi Arabia’s must-visit places; especially in summertime when the Abha Festival is in full bloom.
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Located 2.2km above sea level, Abha enjoys a mild climate throughout the year while rain drenches its fertile soil, contributing to the scenic beauty of the area. Not just a haven for culture, Abha’s infrastructure development over the last 20 years has allowed it to progress by leaps and bounds in agriculture and tourism; the latter seeing a boom in recent years. An airport allows for direct flights from the major cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran while a highway links the city to most of the other major cities in the country. Hotel accommodations include five-star hotels, regular motels and comfy villas and apartments available for rent. The highest peak in Saudi Arabia, Jabal AlSooda (Black Mountain) at 3.3 km high, is the highlight of any visit to Abha as its vistas provide a breathtaking view of the city below. The origin of its name is a mystery, but locals believe the name originates from the dark Araar trees that grow all over it and the dark clouds that loom above it. In and around the city, four cable-car networks also provide a bird’s eye view of the landscape and can be found in Al-Sooda, Al-Habla, New Abha, and Lake Saad; a picturesque lake, surrounded by rolling hills on both sides.
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The Asir National Park, set up in 1976 and comprising of 450,000 hectares of land and sea, has been instrumental in promoting the enchanting the beauty of Abha and the rest of the province as a whole. The misty mountains that harbor dense, pristine forests and the variety of flora and fauna within them, are now protected from deforestation. Bird watching, hiking and mountain climbing are just some of the activities that can be indulged in at the park. An excursion to the old villages that dot the outskirts of Abha, where homes made of mud and stones dating back as far as 300 years, is a treat for history buffs. The unique architecture of these homes is a big pull for tourists and learning about their construction from the local guide makes for a fascinating history lesson. Farther away from these “mud villages,” a watering hole for various species of birds exists at the Wadi Mahalah which is about 10km outside the city. Apart from all the great attractions, it is the people of Abha that really shine because of their poetic and artistic nature. A conversation with the friendly locals is interesting albeit flowery no matter what one talks about; from the sunrise and the hills to the food and even clothing, everything is brought to life through poignant words.
a big hat resembling the Mexican sombrero. Usually a dagger dangles from a belt wrapped around the man’s waist. The women in Abha wear a black dress with intricate embroidery known as the Abha thobe. A similar hat worn by men is utitlized in summer. Jewelry is an essential part of any woman’s getup and it is the same in Abha except that the amount of jewelry worn is also an indicator of the woman’s social status. A wealthy woman will wear lots of jewelry and thus consequently dowries in this region are higher than anywhere else. Lastly, a burgu veils the face of the women here; signifying modesty. Abha was referred to as the land of spices and fragrances by the ancient Egyptians and over time it has become more than that; it is a land populated by humble people and unforgettable sights.
كيلومترعنسطحالبحروتتمتع٢.٢تقعأبهاعلىارتفاع بطقسمعتدلطوالالعامولذلكتعرفبكونهاأشهر فيململكة وتشتهرأيض ًابوجودأعلىقمة ا.فيململكة املصايف ا ) ( جبل السودة
Even though the thobe is the preferred piece of clothing, the traditional garb for Abha residents is still in favor. Commonly consisting of three separate pieces,men’s attire includes a long sarong-like wrap around (Footah), a vest, and a simple turban or even DESTINATION JEDDAH 35