THE DAW OF A NEW AGE
Tatler Hong Kong|March 2023
The millennia-old site of AlUla will be turned into a new cultural valley, featuring permanent art installations that blend Saudi Arabia's stunning landscape, human history and global art visions
Zabrina Lo
THE DAW OF A NEW AGE

As the plane begins its descent, the view outside the window is of a vast desert: there are reddish mountains on the horizon standing tall like an indestructible fortress, and some ancient structures which we would later learn were tombs carved out of a colossal rock, marked at the entrance with curses intended to ward off grave robbers. The flight may have been headed to the oasis city of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia. 1,000km from the capital Riyadh, but nobody would have thought twice if they’d been told they were landing on Mars.

Members of the press and selected artists flocked to the remote desert in November 2022 to get a glimpse of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)’s grand scheme. The organisation plans to turn the area, known for its rich natural heritage and archaeological sites, into a modern cultural destination. For decades, oil has been Saudi Arabia’s main source of wealth; the AlUla project, established by royal decree in July 2017, is seen as proof of the country’s recent ambition to cultivate tourism and leisure as another economic pillar as outlined in Vision 2030, a transformative economic and social reform blueprint for opening up the kingdom to the world.

There has been a broad range of initiatives set up across archaeology, tourism, culture, education and the arts to protect and develop AlUla. Among them are furthering the development of Hegra—Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site where ancient tombs date back to 106CE—as a tourist destination; renewing hospitality facilities in Old Town, a village of more than 900 mudbrick homes built in the 12th century or earlier; and reintroducing indigenous flora and fauna, including the extinct ibex, to the area.

This story is from the March 2023 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2023 edition of Tatler Hong Kong.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TATLER HONG KONGView All
THE LAST WORD
Tatler Hong Kong

THE LAST WORD

Every issue, we ask our cover star a round of quickfire questions that give us a little more insight into their personalities. This month: Gulf Kanawut lays it bare

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
WOMEN AT THE WICKET
Tatler Hong Kong

WOMEN AT THE WICKET

Asia's women's cricket teams from outside the Indian subcontinent have been rapidly rising up through the ranks, creating opportunities, breaking barriers and changing the game as they go

time-read
10+ mins  |
July 2024
TIME TURNER
Tatler Hong Kong

TIME TURNER

A 2024 Turner Prize nominee, British Filipino artist Pio Abad talks to Tatler about carrying on family legacy, unearthing historical connections and why the Philippines is always at the core of his work

time-read
7 mins  |
July 2024
ROYAL RICHES
Tatler Hong Kong

ROYAL RICHES

Ahead of the opening of Prince and the Peacock, Black Sheep Restaurants' latest establishment, Tatler joins the hospitality group on a culinary pilgrimage to India

time-read
8 mins  |
July 2024
MAKING HER POINT
Tatler Hong Kong

MAKING HER POINT

Foil fencer Daphne Chan is happy to see the rising interest in her sport since Cheung Ka-long's historic win, and is headed to the Games with impressive wins behind her. But she's not allowing the pressure to get to her, and is most excited about who she might meet in Paris

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
IN IT TO WIN IT
Tatler Hong Kong

IN IT TO WIN IT

Hong Kong freestyle swimmer Ian Ho, whose Instagram handle @Amphlb_ian playfully alludes to his aquatic prowess, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and won silver in the men's 50 metres freestyle at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. This month, he will represent Hong Kong at the Paris Olympics. He talks to Tatler about making Hong Kong proud, life as a student and professional athlete-and why relaxing is the way forward

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Tatler Hong Kong

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Two-time Olympic swimmer Camille Cheng thought Tokyo 2020 would be her last Games, but competing in Paris was too big a draw for the French Chinese athlete

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES
Tatler Hong Kong

INTRIGUE AND INTRICACIES

Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni takes us through his elaborately designed poster for the Olympics and Paralympics in his home city this month

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Crafting a New Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

Crafting a New Legacy

Nicholas Lieou, creative director of high jewellery at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, is reimagining jewellery, as the brand celebrates its 95th anniversary

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
A Lasting Legacy
Tatler Hong Kong

A Lasting Legacy

Tatler explores Cartier's latest Watches and Wonders novelties with the maison's image, style and heritage director, who explains how the luxury house continues to create designs that are relevant today, yet rooted in legacy

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024