Travel: Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination? Why not!

Here’s taking a trip to the Arabian kingdom and discovering Saudi beyond stereotypes

Talk about Saudi Arabia to most Indians and one often ends up with the usual stereotypes. You know, the type dating back to Tintin comics – endless sand dunes, camels, sheikhs and oil wells. In my case, most of what I knew about the kingdom was gleaned from conversations with members of my family who had done the Haj.

One of the halls at King Saud Guest Palace, restored few years ago, which is used to host visiting foreign dignitaries(Rezaul H Laskar)

Salwa Palace in At-Turaif district is where a spectacular sound and light show is held (Rezaul H Laskar)

Riyadh is clearly not designed for pedestrians. We asked a Saudi lady how to cross the road. her reply: “Limousine!”

The Masmak Fort in Riyadh was captured by King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal, the founder of Saudi Arabia, in 1902 (Rezaul H Laskar)

The gaily lit up Deera Square is where people chill during the weekends (Rezaul H Laskar)

The busy highway cuts through the main shopping district of Riyadh (Rezaul H Laskar)

Deera Square, known colloquially as “chop chop square” – was the scene of numerous public executions

The Masmak Fort is now a museum that’s open to the public (Rezaul H Laskar)

The Salwa Palace, the original home of the Al-Saud royal family, is now a museum (Rezaul H Laskar)