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Tabuk Rail Road Bridge. Photo by Ashashyou.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Tabuk

Tabuk is a city located in northwestern Saudi Arabia and is the capital city of the Tabuk Region. 

Located close to the Jordanian-Saudi Arabian border, Tabuk which had a population of 667,000 people as at 2021 houses the largest air force base in the country.

The Expedition to Tabuk in 630 CE, during the period of Prophet Muhammad made Tabuk famous and it has since remained the gateway to North Arabia region.  

Tabuk is rich in antiquities and archaeological sites such as petroglyphs, inscriptions, forts and palaces among other antiquities and archaeological sites.

The top 10 fascinating facts about Tabuk include the following.

1. Wadi Dam Is Home to Thamudic, Greek and Nabataean Inscriptions

Nabataean Inscriptions. Photo by Kendall K. Down.

 At Wadi Dam and the region west of Tabuk, hundreds of localities with rock art and inscriptions dating to different chronological periods and ranging from Paleolithic to the Islamic period were recorded.

The human and animal figures which are in scripted on the different places in Tabuk, after studies have revealed rich stylistic variability. Thamudic, Greek and Nabataean inscriptions have been found in tens of sites in the area

2. Tabuk Is Home to The Tabuk Castle Which Is an Archaeological Landmark

Tabuk Castle. Photo by Heritage Commission.

The Tabuk Castle also knowns as the A峁�-岣ツ乥 al-Aykah in Arabic: 兀賻氐賿賭丨賻賭丕亘 丕賱賿兀賻賷賿賭賰賻賭丞, or the “Companions of the Wood” who are named in the Quran dates back to about 3500 BC.

The last restoration of the castle was in 1652 CE even though it had been restored many times before that.

Tabuk Castle is thought to be one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the region and one of the best-preserved castles located in the center of the city.

The Tabuk Castle which is open to visitors, is considered an archaeological landmark. Travelers can find out more about the history of the region from the two mosques and a museum inside the castle.

3. Madyan And the Well of Moses Are Located in Tabuk Region

Artist Impression of Moses. Photo by Unknown author.

The region of Madyan also known as the land where Moses lived in exile for 10 years, before becoming a Prophet and which is mentioned in both the Bible and Quran is located in Tabuk

The region hosts the remains of ancient cities that are open for visitors to explore and many archeological sites are also found there.

The Well of Moses which creates a surprising sight in the middle of the desert consists of 12 springs in the valley of Maqna in Tabuk.

After crossing the Red Sea from Egypt, it is recorded that Moses drank from these same springs.

4. Tabuk Is Home to The Hasma Desert; An Open Air Museum

Hasma desert is an open-air museum where strange rock formations disrupt the otherwise tranquil landscape in the Tabuk region.

A variety of unique looking rocks, some as tall as 30 meters i.e. the rock formation Umm Sarhij, were created over the centuries due wind erosion in the desert.

Tourists can undertake various tours and camel safaris discovering ancient artifacts in the open-air museum in Tabuk. The desert dunes in Tabuk offer visitors a chance for 4脳4 driving through the impressive landscape.  

5.  Tourists Can Tour Sandstone Sculptures of Al Disah Valley in Tabuk Region

Grand Canyon. Photo by Sheeba Samuel.

Due to its striking canyon peaks and reddish sandstone sculptures, the Al Disah Valley in Tabuk Region is often compared to The Grand Canyon.

The Al Disah Valley which is guarded by tall rocks is however much less of a tourist attraction than the Grand Canyon.  The valley which hides ancient tombs and old writings and drawings is approximately 25 kilometers long.

Travelers can explore the valley on their own or with an organized tour from the city and travel to its location some 143 kilometers south of Tabuk.

6. Due to The Converging Cultures Tabuk Offers A delicious Cuisine

The food in Tabuk is delicious as its diverse and it ranges from seafood dishes to various types of Rice and typical Levant flavors.

In Tabuk there are many places where flavors meet and mix, reflecting the complex cultural identity of Saudi Arabia for visitors to enjoy. Magluba is often cooked when families gather around the table.  

Magluba is a dish made with cooked rice and vegetables such as cauliflowers, lamb or veal and are slow cooked, assembled together then turned upside down for serving and is a typical Tabuki meal.

7.Visitors Can Tour the Souq In Tabuk Old Town

One of the places which is full of life and eye-catching, artistic handmade items is the colorful market, souq or bazaar in Tabuk old town.

The market, souq or bazaar in which you can find anything you could possibly imagine, from jewelry to household items, street food and various antiques is dotted with various shops.

The traditional geometric patterned carpets and the goat-hair covers, for which Souq Twaheen is famous for can be noticed while walking through the market.  

8. The Coastal City of Haql In Tabuk Region Is Home to Beautiful Beaches

The bluest gems located near the coastal city of Haql are some of the many gems which the Tabuk region hides.

The Haql beaches which offer coral reefs also offer turquoise waters and an impressive marine ecosystem as well

Camping on the white sandy beaches is still allowed in the region which allows for an unspoiled getaway to the beaches.

9. Tourists Can Tour the Tabuk Tourist Sites Museum

Tourists can tour the Tourists Sites Museum if they are interested in learning more about the history and the lives of people living in Tabuk.

Insight into old artifacts and how they were used, traditions and habits that shaped the community of the area can be learned and experienced in the museum.

10. Jabal al Lawz Mountain in Tabuk Is Thought to Be the Biblical Ancient Mount Sinai

One of the most famous mountains in the Jewish and Christian religious scriptures is Mount Sinai.

It is at Mount Sinai where the Israelites during their exodus camped for a while and Moses who was leading the Israelites went up the mountain to receive the 10 commandments from God who wrote them on stone tablets.

Jabal al Lawz Mountain which is the highest in the region is thought to be the biblical ancient Mount Sinai.

Although there is no evidence as some historians also trace Mount Sinai to Egypt, several hiking tours are organized which offer spectacular sights on the mountain.