History

The history of Hail dates back to prehistoric times passing through the pre-Islamic age and the Islamic era. It was one of the most secure sites in the Arabian Peninsula and neither Al Hîra Kings in Iraq nor the Ghassanid kings of the Levant could over take Hail until the Kingdom’s unification in 1351H (1932).

Hail is a multi cultured province; it joins the Assyrian and Babylonian cultures as indicated in the Talmudic and Safavid inscribed on rocks and stones. These rocks and stones are considered to be important tourism attractions.

Hail has always been associated with the famous legendary character -Hatim Altaay- who is known for his extreme generosity. Hail is also associated with the historic Hajj routes, used by pilgrims and trade caravans. Hail Province is home to many poets and literates, and was visited by many famous European explorers throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries, although the access to Hail was very difficult in those days.

Hail Town as shot from A'arif Castle

Geographic Location

Hail is located in the center of the northern part of Saudi Arabia. It is located between the 25 and 29 degrees latitude and 38 and 42 degrees longitude. The Province is surrounded by five administrative provinces and they are: Jouf, Northern Boarders, Tabouk, Maddinah, and Qaseem.

Hail Province is known for its strategic location since it connects the north to the north east and passengers from all over the Kingdom pass by Hail on their way to Makkah. It covers an area of approximately 11,823 square km. This is approximately 6% of the total area of the Kingdom. The Province consists of 4 major administrative centers, including three cities and Hail which is the center of the province. The Province has 66 administrative centers.

Hail Province view from top taken during a trip to
the Northern borders

Climate

Hail's climate is continental. Day temperatures are very warm and can reach an average of 30-34 degrees Celsius during the summer but cool down after sunset to more mild temperatures. Winter temperatures on the other hand, are very cool and decrease to 5-15 degrees Celsius during winter and may even fall to below zero temperatures. Rain falls during winter and spring. Winds drift with an average speed of 10 km/hour. Spring is the best season for visiting Hail, when the climate is mild and rainy.

Topography

Hail Province is known for its diverse topography as it consists of valleys, mountains, and sand and rock formations. Hail’s main topography features can be classified into: Al-Hmmad area which is known for its calcareous hills and deep valleys, Nfoud desert that covers an area of 40 thousand square kilometers, and makes up approximately 1/3 of the area, Sand formations which cover vast areas such as A`roug Almadhoor. It is located to the west of the Dahna desert, which is one of the most important grazing areas in the region and the best place for camping in the summer, and finally, Rock formations which are located to the west of Hail and cover about 1/3 of the Province. It is one of the most famous tourism sites in Hail and contain the most prominent mountains such as the mountain of Salma, Ajja, Heden, Ruman, Louf, Khashab, A`qab and other prominent mountains.

A view of Hail rocks and sands from the plane captured
in one of my flight to Qurayat

Population

Hail had a population of 260.000 people in 1394H, and increased to reach 421.100 people in 1413H and 520.000 people in 1420H, which is about 2.5% of the Kingdom’s population. More than 43% of the population lives in Hail city, where the rest are distributed around other centers and administrative areas. The population density is about 4.4 person/square kilometer, with a growing average of 2.8%. There is a great immigration movement in the Province, where large numbers of its residents moved to other provinces in the Kingdom. In 1419H 18% of Hail Province residents moved to live in other provinces, but visit Hail during school holidays and social events.

Prayer Times

Prayer time in Hail province is 4-20 minutes earlier than Makkah prayer time. You can check Hail’s prayer time in Um AlQurra calendar.

Please abide by the conservative dress code followed by men and women in public places.

Culture and Heritage

Hail Province is the land of generosity and hospitality and the land of culture and heritage, where ever you go in Hail you can find what you are looking for. Hail contains different historic monuments of different ages and eras; these monuments include a great urban heritage represented in the unique traditional houses and palaces with attractive designs.

Hail is also rich in traditional handicrafts and industries. Traditional souks and shops reflect the customs, believes, and traditions of Hail society that are based on the Islamic rules and regulations.

In Hail you can enjoy traditional literature such as poetry, stories, narratives, and legendry; traditional acting arts such as the traditional dances. You can also enjoy different sports and activities such as horse riding, horse and camel racing competitions, and hunting using falcons and saluki dogs. Hail is rich with traditional clothes and jewelry, it is also rich in its traditional dishes that are famous not only in the Kingdom but in the neighboring countries as well.

Camel shepherd along Hail road

An old tower built beside the boulder

Vehicles displayed along the road enroute to a town in Hail

Nature and Environment

Hail is rich with its beautiful natural sites represented in the mountains, deserts, and the botanical and zoological life, although animals are rare in many areas. There are some caves, craters, and beautiful plateaus with great scenery and soft breeze.

Sports and Adventures

Hail is famous for its diverse sports and activities related to the beautiful nature of this area, such as hiking in Ajja Mountains. Hail is also famous for hunting in different hunting seasons. Those who prefer dune driving (Tat’Ees) can enjoy Nfoud sands.

In Hail you can practice horse riding that people of Hail are famous for, and gun firing provided that you use special shotguns licensed by the related authorities in the Kingdom. Football is also very popular in Hail as it is the number one sport in the Kingdom.

Enjoying an Arabian horse ride in Hail. A rare experience for an expat...

A ladder made of steel that serves as a short cut going to

the other side of the mountain...

Tours and Trips

You can reach Hail Province by air using Hail Provincial Airport that is connected to all main airports in the Kingdom, or by land using three main roads:

1 . Riyadh-Qaseem

2 . Ulla

3 . Maddinah

4 . There are other roads leading to Rafah, Northern Borders, and the Eastern Province

(Reference : Saudi Tourism except all images which are owned by the author)

I travelled to Hail province a number of times during my stay in the kingdom. Mostly, I traveled through the Riyadh - Qasseem highway, and I am proud to say that I am very much familiar with this route.

Here are the historical and heritage sites that I visited while in Hail :

A’arif Port

A'arif Fort is located in Hail City, one of the province located in the Northern part of Saudi Arabia, and around 650 Km. from Riyadh. Driving to this city took us 6 hours passing to the province of Buraydah and Unayzah city. In case you opted for an air trip..it will be around an hour trip only from Riyadh.

The historic fort of A'arif is said to be built at the end of 11th century Hejra and the beginning of 12th century Hejra. The fort was first built with mud and clay, rectangular in shape and around 40m x 11m in size. It was built to protect and also as a defense for the city.

The first construction of the fortress was made during the reign of the Al-Ali family at the end of the 11th Hijra century (17th century AD) and the additions and annexes were made to it during the rule of the Al-Rasheed family. During the Saudi rule, the fortress was used for the sighting of the Ramadan moon and for firing of the Iftar gun.

Built on a mountain peak, the fortress could be seen from anywhere in Hail

Taking pictures of the fort is only allowed after securing approval from the caretaker.

Uraif Castle View

Uraif Castle view from the gate

Uraif Castle stairs

Al Qishlah Palace

Al Qashla building architectural style represents one of the most attractive areas of urban heritage. Al Qishlah were built in 1362H during the reign of King Abdul Aziz to be used as a military barrack. Al Qishlah is a two storey building which is built by combinations of clay, stone, and wood according to architectural style known in Najd area. The palace has two large gates at the east and south sides. There is a total of 142 rooms in the building which faces the internal yard. At the center, there is a mosque with uncovered praying area and basement.

Al Qishla palace as shot from the palace yard

Ground floor view from the second floor

Palace visitor rest area

A view of the palace wall and the old car

Palace rooms

Old card displayed at the palace grounds

Farasan Island Beach below the bridge linking the two largest island

BACKGROUND AND OTHER INFORMATION

The Farasan Bank is a coral shoal 100km wide that stretches 800km down Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. It lies 40km from Jizan and takes about 90 minutes to get there by ferry.

The islands were created more than 8000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. Conditions here are perfect for the growth of coral, which has spread through the area, creating a rich and beautiful ecosystem.

The archipelago includes two large islands connected by a bridge, Farasan Kebir and Segid.

5,000 people live on the largest island, Farasan in Farasan Kebir and Segid. The only other island with a permanent population is Qummah.

Continuously manned coastguard stations are on the main island as well as Zifaf and Rumain. Kutambil Island northwest of Shuqaiq is a volcanic island situated 5 km offshore. The 100m peak of volcanic clinker dominates the island. The south and southeast parts of the island are flat and sandy. Rich coral reefs lie offshore.

The Farasan Islands are largely low, flat-topped lumps of coral that are barely a few meters above the water. The beaches are made of dead coral, and can vary from smooth white beaches to quite rough sand. On the smaller islands, there are virtually no beaches at all.

Bird life is plentiful and at different times includes Spoonbill, Western Reef Egret, Striated Heron, Osprey Sooty Falcons, Pink-Backed Pelican, Red-Billed Tropik Bird, White-Eyed Gull, Saunders Little Tern, Crab Plover and Flamingos.

To find the ethereal, other-world beauty of the Farasan Islands, it is necessary to put your head underwater where a world of colorful coral reefs, flying rays, dolphins, dugong, sea turtles and whale sharks opens below you. This some of the most awesome underwater diving in the world.

The Farasan Islands are an unpretentious wonderland. Nature in its simple best. Farasan Hotel is the only hotel on the island and accommodation is limited, so it's necessary to book. The hotel can arrange land tours, overnight guided sea trips, fishing, snorkeling and deep sea diving for the accredited diver.

(Reference ; Saudi Tourism Website)

Traveling To Farasan Island

I recommend visiting Farasan island with your car. As soon as you arrive in Farasan, there are no rent a car or public transportation except for private cars offering personal services for touring the island or traveling to the town center.

Two ships are engaged in the service. One leaves Jizan Port at 7.00AM and the next at 3.00PM. Almost at the same time two ships leave the shore of Farasan to Jizan

The ticket of Ship is free of Cost. This ship carries 35-40 cars and The flukas are also used on this route which accommodate more than 60 people. With the arrival of a new ship in 2006, the travel time between Jizan and Farasan was improved from 3 hours to 1.5 hours.

The Saudi Government Replaced the old ships with 2 new temporary faster and larger ferryboats, the journey takes about 90 to 120 minutes and 2 trips daily each way

Ship Schedule

Farasan-Jizan 7:00 am Farasan-Jizan 3:00 pm
Jizan-Farasan 7:00 am Farasan-Jizan 3:00 pm

Although the ship leaves Jizan port at 7:00 am, It is a must that the traveler be at the port no later than 5 am in order to reserve a ticket. There's a parking space with limited capacity in the port in case you decided to travel without your car. If you decided to bring the car, which is highly recommended, you must be at the port earlier than 5 am since there are lots of cars falling in line as early as 1 am carrying goods to be sold and delivered to Farasan. In most cases, including cars loaded with construction materials since all the basic needs including fuels are all coming from Jizan.

On weekends, it is quite hard to get a ticket, so you have to fall in line much earlier than 5 am. In case you failed to get a pass from the Customs, you can avoid frustrations by renting fluka (small boats)

The flukas are also used on this route.This flukas carry up to 12 passengers. The ticket price is SR50 per person each way . The fluka take 1hour on this route, there is no fixed schedule for this kind of transportation, it can be hired at any time as long as you pay the cost of the minimum number of the passengers which is 6 or SR 300

As soon as you arrived in Farasan, you have to proceed immediately to the customs office in the town center to reserve your return ticket to Jizan, that is, if you would like to return in the afternoon or the following morning.

Camping out along the seashore or under the bridge is the best way to experience Farasan. Saudi coast guard patrols the sea shores to provide safety to the visitors. While camping, you can enjoy fishing, if you're lucky enough, you might have a glimpse of gazelles passing by along the coast line.

STC installed transmission lines providing internet, land line and GSM line services in the island.

During my visit, I was surprised to find a lot of expatriates fishing along the coastline of the famous Farasan bridge. The Vietnamese nationals in the island is almost equal in numbers with the Filipinos.

Stingrays and colorful fish are normal sites along the sea shores.

An article from Oasis Magazine describe Farasan island as a gift to nature lovers with a freebies of heritage and historical sites :

"There is as much reef in the Farasan Islands as there is along the entire coastline of Saudi Arabia. As such, this makes the Farasan Island is one of the most attractive and popular diving spots in Saudi Arabia and a favorite destination for Saudis and international visitors. Fauna of the Farasan Island include 231 species of fish, 49 species of reef building coral, 3 species of Dolphin, crustaceans, large numbers of breeding seabirds as well as populations of breeding Ospreys (Pandion Haliaetus) and Sooty Falcons. A remnant population of endangered Dugong and the only known confirmed breeding site for Crab Plover (Dromas Ardeola) on the Red Sea coast of Arabia are protected on Farasan Island.

In addition, the Farasan Island is home to the special nature reserve, which was established in 1989. It is overseen and mandated by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. As a result of the protected status of the nature reserve, the Farasan Island now holds the largest gazelle population in Saudi Arabia. On the main island there are more than 500 gazelles, which roam freely. Can you imagine the photo opportunities?! For land lovers, this article would not be complete without mentioning that the Faifa Mountains merit a trip for the opportunity to see some unique rock formations and lush green meadows in Saudi Arabia. And for those who enjoy history, a smaller island not far from the main Farasan Island holds the ruins of an old German-built Fort used during World War II. It is said that this fort had been a secret storage location for ammunition during the war"

Hotels and Restaurants

During my visit last February 2012, I found two hotels serving the island visitors, Farasan Hotel located in the town proper and Coral Hotel, a 5-star hotel located before entering the town, and along the sea shore.

Aside from the hotel, there are very few restaurants in Farasan. I have identified only three small restaurants offering roasted chicken and kabsa. Canned drinks and other grocery items are expensive in the island, the reason why other visitors bring their car loaded with groceries from Jizan Panda.