Saudi Arabia seeks deeper multilateral cooperation for shared development, says foreign minister at BRICS summit    SAMA announces launch of new e-commerce payments interface    Alkhorayef emphasizes Saudi keenness on leveraging Russia's industrial expertise    Commercial registrations for holiday homes and chalets jump 42% in 2Q 2025    HADAF signs deal to support Saudis in hospitality and culinary arts fields    Saudi Arabia participates in UNCITRAL annual session in Vienna    HONOR returns to Esports World Cup as Official Smartphone Partner for 2025 The renewed commitment will see HONOR elevate mobile esports competition with cutting-edge AI technologies and industry-leading hardware    Trump calls Musk's new political party 'ridiculous'    Israel launches strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen    Central Nairobi sealed off ahead of Kenyan protests    81 dead and dozens missing in Texas floods as more rain looms    Saudi Arabia reaffirms dedication to achieving equitable and sustainable digital development    Saudi, British FMs discuss regional developments in phone call    Riot Games responds to match-fixing allegations in VALORANT    BLAST responds to BESTIA Visa controversy ahead of CS2 Austin major    Christophe Galtier named NEOM SC head coach ahead of historic Saudi Pro League debut    Michael Madsen, actor of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs' fame, dead at 67    BTS are back: K-pop band confirm new album and tour    Michelin Guide launches in Saudi Arabia with phased rollout in 2025    'How fragile we are': Roskilde Festival tragedy remembered 25 years on    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



The Bujairi Quarter
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 12 - 06 - 2015

Today, a transformation is underway, which with the April opening of the Today, a transformation is underway, which with the April opening of the Bujairi Quarter has passed a major checkpoint on the road to completion. — Courtesy photo

Miles Lawrence

On the northwestern outskirts of Riyadh sits Diriyah, a site steeped in history. This is where, in 1744, Imam Muhammad Bin Saud founded the first Saudi State, after forming an alliance with Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdulwahab.

Today, a transformation is underway, which with the April opening of the Bujairi Quarter has passed a major checkpoint on the road to completion.

The Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA), the government body responsible for the Historical Addiriyah Development Program, has created a relaxing atmosphere in Bujairi: with restaurants, cafes, spacious parks and an art venue — Bujairi is a great place to enjoy a meal or a family picnic.

A gateway to historic Diriyah

The Bujairi Quarter of Diriyah sits about 12 miles northwest of central Riyadh. You'll have to drive to reach it, but the whole area is fully pedestrianized – a welcome change if you live in the city.

In the central plaza and meandering alleyways, clean-cut stone architecture mingles with traditional mud-brick construction.

The aim of the development project, according to the project guidebook, was to turn the Bujairi Quarter “into a gateway to Historic Addiriyah, through establishing various cultural institutions and public spaces.”
Restaurants and cafes

Tucked into the alleyways are a number of restaurants and cafes. There are traditional eateries where you can sample Arabian cuisine, as well as coffee shops, a juice bar, an ice cream parlor, and a dessert shop

Just down the road is the charming Dim Light Coffee. From humble beginnings, this café/restaurant has grown with the development project to become a hugely popular hangout with locals and tourists alike. You'll find plenty of atmospheric outdoor seating for singles, but as a family you'll have to sit indoors and upstairs. For an outdoor family dining experience, try Najd Village in the central plaza.

The facilities in Bujairi are good – you'll find an ATM service, indoor and outdoor parking with space for 250 cars, clean public restrooms, and clean public spaces – there are trash collectors and beige-and-burgundy-uniformed security staff on hand to help.

There's also an information center, open daily from 4 to 10 p.m. They were able to supply some information about the development project, but did not have a pocket-sized map of the Bujairi Quarter, which would've come in handy.

Diriyah also has a religious and educational history. It was the founding-place of the first Saudi State — no doubt the reason why the government has been keen to support its restoration and re-development. After forming an alliance with Mohammad Bin Saud in 1744, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdulwahab preached from a mosque here in Diriyah and supported the growth of the ruler.

The newly-built Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdulwahab Foundation is “an academic institution concerned with the Sheikh's scholarly and intellectual heritage, his school of thought and faith, and the da'wah (mission) studies,” according to the project guide.

On the rooftop of this building are some of Bujairi's finest vistas. Walk up the ramped pathways to a system of roof gardens, where you can relax and take in the view.

Bujairi shines at night

To get the best of Bujairi, go after sundown.

Abdulmalek Alsaleh, program manager for the Historical Addiriyah Development Program, told Al Arabiya News that they wanted “to design the lighting without affecting people when they are walking – we want the lighting to enhance even the palm trees.” The result is stunning. Uplit date palms appear suspended throughout the valley. Public spaces are softly illuminated. Across the wadi (valley), the Turaif ruins look down, lit up and boldly contrasting with the night sky.

Spreading outwards from the central plaza, you'll find the stepping terraces and water gardens of the Addiriyah Park. Sitting on the banks of the Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah's climate is slightly cooler than that of Riyadh city, with date palms flourishing amongst the abundant plant life.
The Arriyadh Park faces the hilltop ruins of Atturaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and open-air museum scheduled to open in 2017.

There is also an expansive park next to the main roundabout, with a children's playground and a series of winding pathways. In the evenings you'll find families spread out over elaborate picnics. They bring everything – pots, pans, and stoves; blankets, cushions, and props for reclining.
Traditional sword-dancing

Every Thursday in Bujairi there is a traditional Saudi ardha (sword-dancing) performance. The hour-long show begins at 9 p.m., and takes place across the wadi beneath the Turaif ruins.

It is recommended to arrive slightly early for the show, to see the more than 50 dancers adorning themselves with traditional garments, weapons, and instruments. You'll see and hear them praying beneath the historic fortress, muezzins dueling from their minarets across the valley.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman even performed the ardha at the opening ceremony on April 9, and Prince Charles joined in when he visited Saudi Arabia last year. — Al Arabiya News


Clic here to read the story from its source.