The Aja and Salma twin mountain peaks, one of Hail’s most famous landmarks, are named after the epic love story of Aja and Salma.
The mountains are covered with acacia trees, making it the perfect destination for Hail residents and visitors to take walks, capture photos, camp, learn about different plants, enjoy stargazing and telescope viewing, and visit archaeological sites.
In addition to the twin peaks, the area is home to other mountains, as well as valleys, plains and deserts.
The Aja mountain range extends over an area of 100 kilometers to the northeastern side of the region and includes small villages and water sources. The highest peak reaches more than 1,350 meters above sea level.
The mountains are rocky and feature valleys with expansive sand plains. Al-Uqdah is one of the most famous tourist landmarks in the Aja mountain range. Easily accessible, Al-Uqdah is full of farms and valleys, and is known for its fertile ground and livestock herding.
For those looking for a tourism experience that focuses on heritage, Touran village in the depth of the Aja mountains is the perfect destination, featuring relics from the Hatem Al-Ta’I Palace.
The Salma mountains extend more than 60 square kilometers from the northeastern side of Hail city to the southwestern part. The highest peak stands at 1,200 meters above sea level. The historical city of Faid and Darb Zubaidah are the most prominent tourist sites in the area, while water sources, farms and volcanic craters are scattered throughout the range.
ThePlace: Aja and Salma mountains, famous tourist landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Hail city
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ThePlace: Aja and Salma mountains, famous tourist landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Hail city
- The Aja mountain range extends over an area of 100 kilometers to the northeastern side of the region and includes small villages and water sources
Northern Borders rock art reveals ancient life
- Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar
- Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region contains numerous archaeological sites, reflecting a long history of human settlement dating back to early periods, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Among the most notable remains are stone structures scattered northwest of Arar.
Varying in shape, size and design, specialists believe these structures date to the end of the Neolithic period and the beginning of subsequent eras. They are thought to have been used as stone tombs to preserve the remains of the dead.
Evidence ranges from the Neolithic era to Islamic times, forming a chronological record that highlights the diversity of communities that once lived in the region and how they interacted with their natural environment over centuries.
Ajab Al-Otaibi, director general of antiquities at the Heritage Commission, said the stone structures and rock art sites in the Northern Borders region represent an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s national cultural heritage and serve as an important resource for archaeological studies and scientific research.
He highlighted the importance of surveys, documentation and protection efforts to preserve these cultural landmarks as a historical legacy for future generations.
The region is also home to several important rock art sites, such as Shu’ayb Hamer, which features a wide and diverse collection of drawings carved on natural rock surfaces, marking it as a key site that documented early human activity in the area.
The artworks depict scenes of hunting, horsemanship, dancing, daily life and social rituals. They were created using a variety of artistic styles, most notably framed and abstract forms, and produced through different techniques including incizing and pecking, both direct and indirect.
The carvings portray human figures and a range of animals, including camels, horses and gazelles, as well as some wild and predatory species that have long since disappeared.
These images provide insight into the richness of the natural environment in earlier periods and help researchers understand the evolving relationship between humans and their surroundings.
