Visit Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia's UNESCO-Listed Oasis
The world’s largest oasis, Al-Ahsa, is the first UNESCO-listed city in the Gulf. Culture Trip explores the oasis, from its origins as one of the first human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula to its current role as a route for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.
What is Al-Ahsa?
In classical Arabic, Ahsa is the sound of water running underground. The name suits the oasis perfectly – Al-Ahsa has been one of the richest areas of groundwater sources in the region and the reason behind its rich greenery. The oasis is one of the largest in the world, and is one of the most verdant places in the country with over 3 million palm trees and plenty of hot and cold springs, all amid a sea of sand.
The oasis’s name is also used by the governorate in which it is located – the Al-Ahsa Governorate – which is the largest in the country’s Eastern Province. All urban areas of the province are located inside the oasis and the governorate’s biggest city, Hofuf, is also often simply called Al-Ahsa as well.
Al-Ahsa Oasis is the fifth Saudi site to join UNESCO’s World Heritage list following Madain Saleh (in 2008), Tarif neighborhood in Diriyah (in 2010), Historic Jeddah (in 2014), and the rock art in Al-Hail (in 2015).
Why is the oasis so important?
Al-Ahsa has served as a major port and trade hub because of its location, and was once known as the Gateway to the Arabian Peninsula. The oasis is located about 60 km (37.3 miles) inland from the Arabian/Persian Gulf which makes it the most accessible area in the region to Indian sub-continent by sea. It’s also not too far from some of the other major cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Saudi’s capital, is a little over 360km (223.7 miles) away and Dammam is just 150 km (93.2 miles) away).
It was and still is a land port that connects the Kingdom to other Gulf states including the UAE, Qatar and Oman. In early Islamic days, it was the point of entry for pilgrim caravans from those countries crossing towards Mecca (which is located on the Western side of the country) for pilgrimage.
The oasis that predates Islam
Al-Ahsa’s role as a route for Muslim pilgrims heading from the East and South-East increased its significance in recent centuries, but the oasis has been of historic importance for years predating Islam.
Because of the abundance of freshwater supply and a climate that allowed for agriculture, Al-Ahsa was one of the first populated areas in the region – it is now categorised as one of the oldest human settlements in the Arabian Peninsula. Archaeological evidence shows that the oasis has strong links with ancient civilisations in the Levant, Egypt and Mesopotamia, as well as being a strong channel for the movement of trades and caravans.
Evidence shows that the first human presence in Al-Ahsa dates back to the fifth millennium BC, and that the civilisations that populated the oasis focused on advanced agricultural activities. Sophisticated irrigation systems and canals have been discovered that show how water was carried from its source to the farmlands.
Today, despite growing into an advanced and extremely important region of Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahsa has kept a hold of its rich historical past and traditions. Al-Ahsa has become a popular tourist spot in the country because of its archaeological remains of civilisations past, its greenery, and its distinct culture that has passed from generation to generation for centuries.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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