Saudi Arabia’s Wadi Hanifa rebounds as a tourist spot

Jeddah / TNS

The Eid Al-Fitr holiday is not only a great occasion for refreshing one’s faith and social relations, but is also a good length of time for Saudis and expatriates alike to take an extended holiday in which they can spend quality time with family and friends. At this time of year, a major attraction in the capital is the beautiful valley of Wadi Hanifa.
Wadi Hanifa, which runs roughly for a length of 75 kilometers from northwest to southeast and which cuts through the city of Riyadh, was once a waste disposal field and has been transformed into the largest natural open resort in the Kingdom, a major attraction where hundreds of visitors go daily for picnics to celebrate the festivity of Eid Al-Fitr.
Known in the pre-Islamic era as Wadi Al-Irdh, it was renamed Wadi Hanifa after the principal Arab tribe in the area, Banu Hanifa. As time progressed, the construction expansion on the outskirts of the capital city destroyed the environmental balance in the valley, leading to erosion. Moreover, industrial activities were launched in the area, turning it into a dump for garbage and construction waste.
In 1986, the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) decided that the valley would be transformed into a natural reserve and set up a plan to turn the dump into the largest natural resort in the Kingdom in order to attract local and foreign visitors and encourage investments.
The redevelopment plan also involved creating water channels, trails, and spots for visitors to observe the spectacular views the valley has
to offer.
Moreover, the construction of Riyadh’s first large sewage treatment facility channeled 400,000 to 650,000 cubic meters of runoff downstream daily, creating a constantly expanding area of small lakes south of Riyadh and finally a new green corridor of about 100 kilometers was formed.
According to the ADA, the decision taken in 1986 to transform Wadi Hanifa into a natural reserve proved to be a significant milestone as it helped in transforming it into the largest natural resort in the Kingdom attracting a beeline of citizens, expatriates and foreign visitors.
To enjoy the Eid Al-Fitr festivities, a number of families go to the valley for picnics and to enjoy barbecues with their families and friends. Speaking to Arab News, Abdullah Ahmad, who resides in the nearby Wadi Laban area, said: “Hundreds of people come to enjoy the natural beauty, newly created parks and desert at the Wadi Hanifa, Wadi Laban and Wadi Namar on the outskirts of the capital as the valleys have spectacular views, water channels, green corridors, walk ways and picnic spots for visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty that includes orchards and farms as well.”
Waleed Jameel, another visitor to the natural resort said, “It’s a great place for a picnic. I went there with my family for a barbecue and it was the perfect place for it.”
“We went during the night but it was well lit so we had no problems. It’s a valley, but is also a park and a dam, and is surrounded by mountains and a lake. It’s beautiful and quite popular among picnickers. The best part is, it is not even far from the city. So go there with your family and revel in the beauty of nature,” he said.