Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a tourist destination with its modern infrastructure and exciting tourists’ sights. Read on…
travelogue
When you think of Saudi Arabia, you think of spirituality. Saudi Arabia has a distinguished place in the Islamic world as it houses the Khana Kaaba and all the distinctive Holy places. People usually travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and Hajj. However, the country has a lot more to offer in terms of history and culture; in fact Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a tourist destination with its modern infrastructure and exciting tourists’ sights ranging from ancient desert landscapes, rich tapestry of cultural heritage and modern marvels.
The Kingdom considers developing the tourism and entertainment sectors a crucial part of its Vision 2030 initiative, as it diversifies its economy away from oil revenues. Until 2020, it was not even possible to visit Saudi Arabia as a tourist – you had to be a religious pilgrim or businessperson. But now with an open policy of Saudi Government, people from all over the world are encouraged to visit this amazing country.
Recently, I had an opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia with a group of journalists – on an invitation from Saudi Tourism Authority. Since it was my first ever visit to Saudi Arabia, I was pretty excited and anxious to see the country; I have been hearing and reading about throughout my life. Our trip was scheduled for five days and those were the most enjoyable days of my life. I felt as if I was transported into another world where peace and tranquillity reign. During our stay, we visited some prominent cities of Saudi Arabia including Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif. Here’s the brief account of each city. Read on…
When our plane landed at Madinah International Airport, I was thrilled to discover a country that stands tall among all the Muslims states. At the airport, we were greeted by a very courteous staff of Hamza Camel Tours, who arranged our trip on behalf of Saudi Tourism Authority. Since it was Friday, I was fortunate enough to offer my Friday prayers at Quba Mosque which holds the distinction of being the first mosque ever built in Islamic history. The mosque, with its serene ambiance and beautiful architecture, provides a peaceful retreat for prayer and contemplation.
Then, we had lunch at a Lebanese restaurant and really enjoyed the authentic Lebanese cuisine. There is something about Madinah – the city radiates peace and calmness. The fresh air and serene environment makes one fall in love with the city.
We had our Maghrib prayer at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. This mosque, initially built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stands as a shining example of Islamic architecture and history. Pilgrims and tourists alike can bask in the spiritual atmosphere. The same night we reached Jeddah by the bullet train. The station was designed like a tiny airport. The train itself was fast, clean, and comfortable, making travel between cities like Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah a breeze. Upon reaching my hotel room, I immediately went to sleep as I was exhausted after a hectic but a wonderful day spent in Madinah.
After a heavy breakfast, we were all sat in a bus (that was specially arranged for us by Hamza Camel Tours to take us to different places) to explore Jeddah. A bustling city on the coast of the Red Sea, Jeddah is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. Jeddah is the perfect blend of old and modern. From the magnificent Old Jeddah, Al Balad district to the new five star luxuries, Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, Jeddah has the best of both worlds.
Our first stop was must-go place of the city i.e. Jeddah Corniche. Lined with palm trees, it stretches about 30 kilometres with an uninterrupted walking path. Jeddah Corniche is a stunning waterfront promenade. Walking along the Jeddah Corniche, you see amazing views of the Red Sea and the city.
There are also restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy tasty food and drinks while enjoying the views. For lunch, our gracious hosts took us to the colourful and frenetic fish market situated in the west of the Corniche. The Central Fish Market in Jeddah offers a wide variety of seafood, including various types of fish, shrimp, lobster, and squid, among others. We had our lunch at a small café and relished fresh fish and prawns to our heart’s content. Now, a cosmopolitan city, it is interesting to note that Jeddah was founded as a small fishing village around 2500 years ago.
After our lunch, we headed to Al Balad (old Jeddah) which UNESCO has recently added the historical Al Balad district to the list of World Heritage sites. Tourists can witness beautiful narrow streets, and old buildings with traditional architecture, including beautifully carved wooden balconies called ‘Rawashaan’. At Al Balad, you get the feeling of travelling back in time by strolling through the narrow alleyways and soaking in the magnificently coloured ‘Mashrabiat’ and ‘Rawashaan’. The day ended with a beautiful view of Jeddah fountain followed by a lavish dinner at an Italian restaurant.
From Jeddah we came to Makkah, the holiest city in the world, where we performed Umrah. Makkah offers travellers a unique blend of spiritual serenity and historical richness. It was surreal. It was hard to believe I was at such a sacred place. It was like a gift of Allah and I felt blessed to perform Umrah. Since it was my first ever Umrah, I was a bit nervous but it turned out to be a smooth sailing.
The city of Makkah is a perfect blend of rich, centuries-old culture and traditions along with modern architecture. You can find old souks as well as skyscrapers. After performing Umrah, we had early dinner in an Indian restaurant and from there we visited Kandamah Mountain. The view was breathtaking, offering visitors an awe-inspiring panorama of the surrounding area, including the bustling cityscape of Makkah and the iconic landmarks that define its spiritual heritage. We enjoyed fresh air while having ‘kahva’ and ‘khajoor’. The peaceful environment allowed us to relax and gazed out over the city that holds profound spiritual significance for millions around the world. It was the best day of our trip as we had the opportunity to perform Umrah too.
Our next destination was Taif. Exploring Taif was a wonderful experience. Taif offers a temperate climate within the picturesque Sarawat Mountains. Known as the ‘City of Roses’, Taif is famous for its historical significance and its mastery in the art of rose and honey production. We visited Al Qurashi Rose Factory, located in Al Hada, Taif. Al-Qurashi Rose Factory is a renowned producer of high-quality rose products, including rose water and rose oil. Using traditional distillation techniques, the factory preserves the natural fragrance and essence of the Taif rose, which is globally celebrated for its intense aroma. The factory also features a café and a retail shop where guests can purchase authentic rose-based products.
When in Taif, it was mandatory to go to the city’s Al-Balad souk (market). This 50-year-old market is distinguished by its varied wares of handicrafts, food, leather products, perfumes and traditional and modern clothes. Its turning streets are filled with conventional crafts, spices, and textiles. We had two hours to shop, so I hurriedly picked few prayer mats, tasbeehs, local dates and some souvenirs as gifts for my family and friends back home.
It’s heartening to see women driving on the roads, working in hotels and restaurants, roaming around freely without any hesitation or male escort. Saudi Arabia used to be a conservative country with strict laws and restrictions on women but not anymore - thanks to the vision of Saudi ruler who has employed liberal policies to change the country into a modest one. In an incredibly short period, Saudi Arabia has undergone transformational social reforms. Women can now change their personal data, such as their family name, name of children, and their marital status, without a guardian’s permission. Beginning in June 2021, Saudi Arabia allowed single, divorced, or widowed women to live independently without permission from their male guardians.
Women are also being appointed in senior roles in the government and the private sector as part of a massive campaign to empower women. The religious police have been abolished and Hijab has become a personal choice. As a tourist, you are not expected to wear the same attire as locals, or to cover up to the same extent, but it’s highly recommended that you dress modestly.
Our last and 5th day in Saudi Arabia was marked by constant travelling – from Taif we headed to Jeddah (again). Upon reaching Jeddah, by bus, we had a relaxing time at The Yemeni Village (restaurant) where we relished Yemeni delicacies. Then we had a stopover at Red Sea Mall which houses an array of fashion brands, luxury items, and various dining and entertainment options. From there we went straight to Jeddah airport to catch our flight to Karachi via Riyadh. I left Saudi Arabia with happy memories with the intention of coming back to explore more untapped destinations of this wonderful country.
Erum Noor Muzaffar is the editor of You! Magazine. She can be reached at iram29@hotmail.com
