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French President Visits AlUla's Historical Landmarks

The tour took the visitors to several other ancient historical sites and landmarks in AlUla - SPA
The tour took the visitors to several other ancient historical sites and landmarks in AlUla - SPA
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French President Visits AlUla's Historical Landmarks

The tour took the visitors to several other ancient historical sites and landmarks in AlUla - SPA
The tour took the visitors to several other ancient historical sites and landmarks in AlUla - SPA

French President Emmanuel Macron began his visit to AlUla Governorate on Wednesday by exploring the historic "Al-Hijr" region, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Accompanied by a delegation including Madinah Region Governor Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi, and other Saudi and French officials, Macron explored significant archaeological sites like Qasr al-Farid, known for its distinctive rock formation with ancient tombs, columns adorned with engravings, and decorative stone elements, all pointing to its historical significance.
They also visited the "Qasr al-Bint" archaeological site, known for its unique construction from the pre-Islamic era in AlUla's historic Al-Hijr region, and "Al-Diwan", a historical landmark in the northeastern part of Al-Hijr that resembles an open-air theater set amidst Al-Hijr's natural landscape, and features a narrow path carved into a rock formation named "Al-Diwan", SPA reported.

Surrounded by columns and stonewalls adorned with intricate architectural designs, "Al-Diwan" provides insight into the architectural styles of ancient civilizations.
The tour took the visitors to several other ancient historical sites and landmarks in AlUla, which attract tourists from all over the world. These sites are meticulously preserved by RCU, the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Tourism Authority, and other concerned bodies; they represent a heritage that reflects the essence of AlUla and the civilizations that have inhabited the region over time.

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Royal Commission for AlUla, China’s Dunhuang Academy Partner to Enhance Heritage Conservation, Cultural Exchange

RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
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Royal Commission for AlUla, China’s Dunhuang Academy Partner to Enhance Heritage Conservation, Cultural Exchange

RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. - SPA

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Dunhuang Academy​ have signed a strategic partnership to expand cultural, touristic, and heritage collaborations between Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China.
According to an RCU press release issued on Wednesday, the partnership represents a pivotal milestone in Saudi-Chinese relations, bringing together Dunhuang Academy's eight decades of expertise in heritage research and cultural conservation with RCU's commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of AlUla.
The Dunhuang Academy is responsible for the management of the Magao Grottoes, a complex of 735 Buddhist caves in Gansu Province classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The Mogao Grottoes are renowned for their exquisite murals and sculptures, representing a fusion of cultural influences along the ancient Silk Road.
"The new agreement unites RCU and Dunhuang Academy as custodians of unique heritage, history, and tradition," said the release.
Dunhuang Academy’s legacy of safeguarding the Magao Grottoes has consistently earned praise from international institutions such as UNESCO, the World Bank, as well as the Chinese government, SPA reported.
RCU and Dunhuang Academy will work closely to develop a comprehensive program of conservation that will extend to historic sites and artefacts in western China and AlUla. They will also collaborate on hosting academic exhibitions and initiating exchange programs between staff and scholars from both institutions.
RCU VP of Strategic Partnerships Silvia Barbone said: “China and Saudi Arabia share a long and storied legacy that has united people and places across vast distances and through millennia. Today, our efforts within the global heritage space are empowered by successful collaborations with leading institutions and landmark destinations.”
The partnership follows the Saudi Travel Expo launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority, in which AlUla featured prominently. The exhibit was held in Beijing’s Tian Tan Garden, showcasing AlUla’s natural and cultural heritage.