Riyadh

The Saudi capital, where the mud-brick ruins of Diriyah stand beside skyscrapers, and the "Edge of the World" cliffs are a drive away.

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, on the Najd plateau in the center of the Arabian Peninsula. With a population of about 7 million, it is a rapidly expanding modern city. The city is a study in old and new: in the south, the old Deira district has Masmak Fortress, the Governance Palace and Souq Al Zal; in the Murabba district, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center houses the National Museum and Murabba Palace; in the north, Olaya and KAFD are skyscraper districts with the Kingdom Centre Tower and Al Faisaliah Tower; about 20 km to the northwest, Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi dynasty, has the At-Turaif district as a World Heritage Site, and the Bujairi Terrace across the wadi is a favorite evening spot. Outside the city, you can visit the "Edge of the World" cliffs about 90 km northwest for sunset, Six Flags Qiddiya to the southwest, and desert camping at Thumama to the north. Climate: November–March is best, with daytime temperatures of 20–28°C; May–September daytime temperatures often exceed 45°C. From October to March, Riyadh Season stages large-scale shows and events at venues such as Boulevard World. Getting there: King Khalid International Airport has flights connecting to China and Middle Eastern hubs; the Riyadh Metro is now open, and visitors mostly combine it with Uber and Careem rides. Chinese citizens can apply for an e-visa. Dress conservatively; alcohol is prohibited; do not eat or drink in public places during the day in Ramadan. We suggest 3–4 days.

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