Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo. (Supplied)
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Updated 19 October 2024
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Diriyah showcases Saudi heritage at Chinese UNESCO site

  • Kingdom promotes tourism, hospitality to Chinese visitors

RIYADH: Diriyah Company is showcasing Saudi heritage and culture to a global audience — from a Chinese UNESCO World Heritage Site — through its stand at the Visit Saudi pavilion at the Saudi Travel Expo, which is taking place in Tiantan Park in Beijing.

The initiative is part of a promotional campaign in China, which was inaugurated by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb on Thursday.

The minister wrote on his X account: “Visiting the #SaudiTravelFestival in Tiantan, I highlighted this great opportunity to showcase our authentic Saudi values of hospitality and introduce the Kingdom’s diverse tourism destinations to Chinese tourists.”

In another post, Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi and Chinese cultures are connected by shared values like family, tradition, and hospitality. These similarities are at the heart of our relationship. As we continue to build bridges, we welcome friends from China and the world to experience our authentic Arab heritage.”

The Diriyah pavilion provides visitors with distinctive interactive experiences, showcasing the true hospitality of Saudi Arabia by offering traditional Saudi coffee and dates, in addition to inviting attendees to wear traditional clothing while capturing photographs featuring a backdrop of Diriyah.

Visitors can also participate in artistic activities using clay, and explore the art of Arabic calligraphy, all set against a backdrop that embodies authentic Saudi heritage, enhanced by the melodies of the oud musical instrument.

The Saudi Travel Expo continues until Oct. 26 and aims to enhance the perception and awareness of Saudi Arabia’s tourist and historic destinations, as well as its rich culture.

The event serves to highlight the cultural diversity and historic depth of the Kingdom.

It also spotlights engaging offers for visitors, including travel packages that allow them to explore the Kingdom and visit its most significant historic attractions, including Diriyah, as well as experience other delights.

On the sidelines of the festival, Al-Khateeb held meetings with Peter Zheng, CEO of Maoyan Entertainment; Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com; Rikin Wu, CEO of DidaTravel; and Zhao Qi, chairman of Jin Jiang Group.

The parties discussed and explored opportunities for cooperation and growth in the tourism sector.


Northern Borders rock art reveals ancient life

Updated 6 sec ago
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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.