Wadi Al-Disah, a Captivating Illustration of Saudi Arabian Nature

A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Wadi Al-Disah, a Captivating Illustration of Saudi Arabian Nature

A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Wadi al-Disah in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Winter has its splendor in Saudi Arabia, especially in the north, and even in parts of the country that are characterized by moderate weather in the summer, like the south. Many tourists and visitors flock to the country at this time of every year.

This year is no different as the Kingdom succeeded in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Winter is around you” is a Saudi marketing slogan that highlights the importance of this season for the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. Winter becomes more than just a season when one can enjoy a road trip in the desert, mountains, coasts and valleys.

Wadi Al-Disah, one of the most visited locations in Saudi Arabia this year, is a valley that is located in the heart of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nature Reserve and extends into the city of Neom. Wadi Al-Disah boasts some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the Kingdom, with its crystal-clear streams, flowing springs, lush patches of green and towering palm trees. The valley’s Nabataean facade and rock-carved tombs only add to its beauty.

Asharq Al-Awsat met several tourists who came to enjoy Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty from across the globe. Through the lens of their cameras, they documented what they saw and posted the pictures on their social media.

Nataliya, a photographer from Ukraine, said that it was the first time that she visited the valley and that she and her husband couldn’t be more impressed with what they had seen. She added: “This valley is definitely the most beautiful place we have visited in our trip.”

A Brazilian tourist said that she decided to visit Wadi Al-Disah after she saw photos of the valley on Instagram. “I loved it ... Wadi Al-Disah is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen,” she said, adding that she was captivated by its mesmerizing nature and unique landscapes.

Saudi photographer Younis Al-Dohaiman also said that he first discovered the valley while scrolling through Instagram photos of travelers who had visited it during winter.

Tourists can visit Wadi Al-Disah in winter or summer. Temperatures in the area range from 12 degrees Celsius in winter to 31 degrees during the summer, while it rains for eight months a year on average.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund intends to invest in new development projects in Wadi Al-Disah that aim to preserve the environment and wildlife of the valley, while hoping to transform it into a major touristic attraction.



Ancient Egyptian Coffin Given New Life in Britain

Staff at Swansea University welcome back the artifact. Photo: Swansea University
Staff at Swansea University welcome back the artifact. Photo: Swansea University
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Ancient Egyptian Coffin Given New Life in Britain

Staff at Swansea University welcome back the artifact. Photo: Swansea University
Staff at Swansea University welcome back the artifact. Photo: Swansea University

An ancient Egyptian coffin was given a new life after it has been returned to Swansea University's Egypt Center in Wales.

The artifact, believed to date from about 650 BC, is now back at the university after thousands of hours of conservation work at Cardiff University, where it was painstakingly cleaned, reconstructed and consolidated to prevent it from deteriorating further, according to BBC.

The coffin, originally made for a man called Ankhpakhered in the Greek city of Thebes, was transported back under the watchful eye of the center’s curator Dr. Ken Griffin.

Staff described the finished project as “beyond our wildest dreams.”

“The coffin was gifted to us by Aberystwyth University in 1997 but details about its history are sketchy,” Griffin said.

He added: “It actually ended up being used as a storage box at one time, with other Egyptian objects placed in it for safekeeping.”

The university’s Phil Parkes explained that the wooden coffin was covered in textile and then had a thin layer of decorated plaster over the top.

He said: “Much of that textile had become detached over time and was just hanging loose.”

Parkes added that the separate wooden head was detached and there were a couple of large pieces of wood missing, the side of the base had fallen off and it was in a very sorry condition overall.