TAIF – At a height of 2,000 meters above sea level and lying on the western edge of Al-Hijaz Highlands, a beautiful Saudi city overlooks the Tihama plains. Surrounded by majestic mountains, this city has dazzled holidaymakers with its beauty and cool climate during summers. Al-Hada area is located in the western part of Saudi Arabia. It is the western gateway to Taif Governorate via Al-Kurr mountain road. The area has a moderate climate and is well-known for its mesmerizing sceneries. Al-Hada is considered the first summer resort for the people of Al-Hijaz and their favorite destination during the summer. It is a green mountainous area linked to Makkah by a dual carriageway road, crossing Kara Mountains, an Arabiya.net report said. This road is one of the most beautiful, important roads, as it connects Taif city with the western and northern regions. It is the confluence of many roads leading to Makkah coming from the Kingdom's south, north, east and west. Al-Hada area has a beautiful climate with cool breezes, attracting visitors and holidaymakers to spend a pleasant time with their families and avail of all the existing tourist amenities, facilities, utilities and services. Holidaymakers grab the opportunity of their presence in Al-Hada Area to go picnicking at the historical summit of Dakkat Halawani, which is the highest point in Al-Hada mountains area. From this place, holidaymakers enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of vast areas of Makkah and even see the fabulous Clock Tower close to the Grand Mosque. During olden days, tourists traveling on the Old Al-Hada Road used to sing their beautiful Hijazi traditional songs about the beauty of Taif and Al-Hada road. Amm Ayidh Al-Madini said: "In the past, when we were traveling from Makkah to Taif via Al-Kurr mountain pass on camels, which were the means of transport during olden times, there were people at Al-Mu'assal region in Al-Hada Area selling pure fresh cold water flowing from the cracks of the mountains. The travelers used to make sure to quench their thirst with this cold water." He further said: "At present, the situation has changed. The road has been widened and thousands of vehicles travel on this road round-the-clock. Now there is the cable car service, which carries tourists and holidaymakers from Al-Kurr escarpment down to Makkah." Al-Madini added that fruit stalls at the top of Al-Hada escarpment have been existent for over 50 years. These stalls sell Taif summer fruits, including figs, peaches, pomegranates, grapes, and prickly pears, among others. Holidaymakers always make sure to purchase several bottles of Taif rose water. Al-Madini said there is a flurry of activity right from the early hours of dawn until just before sunset. Fruit sellers could not sell their products during the night due to the nonexistence of any lighting on the road and for illuminating the goods on sale. With the advancement in life in the Kingdom, these stalls would continue until the early hours of the evening. The stall used lamps to complete their daily sales. However, with the expansion of projects, progress and prosperity the region is witnessing, Al-Kurr tourist road has been provided with lighting. So the stalls work round-the-clock, especially during the summer, Al-Madini said. Member of the National Committee for Exhibitions and Conferences Companies at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce Khalid Al-Ziyadi said: "Al-Hada is a tourist destination for all who travel to Taif due to its attractive, beautiful sceneries and cool and magnificent climate and the many tourist resorts from Al-Kurr Area down to the foothills of the mountains and Wadi Mahram toward Taif. He added: "Al-Kurr Area has the biggest tourist projects in the Middle East – the cable car and tourist village, which have many facilities, like "the flying carpet", water games for adults and children, and the heritage village that narrates stories about the beautiful past." He drew attention to the fact that Al-Hada has many farms that date back to thousands of years.
