Introduction to Wadi Rum tourist attractions in Jordan Tourist attractions in Jordan

Charming tourist attractions in Jordan

Charming tourist attractions in Jordan

Jordan is located in western Asia, northwest of the Arabian Peninsula, and is bordered by Palestine and Israel to the west. It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the southeast and south, and the Red Sea to the south. The Gulf of Aqaba is its only outlet to the sea. Below I have collected attractive tourist attractions in Jordan for everyone, for reference only, I hope it can help you.

Petra (Petar)

Petra is located in the desert of southern Jordan. It is located in a high mountain canyon on the east side of the Arabian Valley extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. An ancient city with a long history and splendid culture, it was once the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom.

The Nabataeans are a branch of the Bedouin, an Arab nomadic people. From the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC, the Nabataeans migrated to northwest Arabia and what is now Jordan. They established a series of cities in desert oases and controlled the Frankincense Road, the most important trade route in ancient times. The trade in frankincense, myrrh and spices made them wealthy.

Petra was the center of the Nabateans and occupied a key position on the trade route between the Mesopotamia and Egypt. In the 4th century BC, the Nabatean Kingdom made Petra its capital.

Petra is a city that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Half of the city of Petra protrudes outwards and the other half is embedded in the rock. It is surrounded by mountains, with winding roads and deep canyons.

The Sik Canyon, which enters the center of the ancient city of Petra, is 1.2 kilometers long. It is naturally formed by deep cracks in sandstone rocks. It is only three to four meters wide in most places, with hundreds of meters high cliffs standing on both sides. The Nabateans were proficient in hydrological engineering and stone carving art. They dug waterways along the cliffs on both sides of the road in the Sik Gorge to guide the floodwaters of the Musa Valley out of the city.

Passing through the Sik Gorge, you can see the magnificent Khazni Temple. The Temple of Kazni is the greatest building in ancient times. It is carved out of the rock and is 40 meters high. It has exquisite Corinthian capitals, exquisite figure carvings and decorations. The Temple of Al-Kazni was built in the 1st century and is believed to be the tomb of the Nabataean king Aretas IV. Legend has it that the treasures of the Egyptian pharaohs are hidden within.

The era when the Al-Kazni Temple was built was the most prosperous golden age of the Nabataean Kingdom. Although the Nabataean Kingdom had surrendered to the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, it remained an independent kingdom for more than 200 years. The vast wealth brought by trade allowed Petra to attract elites from all over the world. In the 1st century, Petra's population reached 20,000.

During the Byzantine period, Petra was still the capital, and many Nabataean temples were converted into Christian churches at that time. In the 6th century, the city of Petra was still prosperous. After the rule of the Arab Empire, trade routes changed and the emergence of the Maritime Frankincense Road cut off Petra's economic backbone. In addition, multiple earthquakes caused great damage to the city's infrastructure. The waterway system was paralyzed and the city was unable to repair. Petra It was gradually abandoned during the Middle Ages. It was not until the 19th century that Petra was rediscovered.

Jerash

Jerash is located in northern Jordan, 48 kilometers away from the capital Amman. This is an ancient city with a long history of civilization. According to archaeological discoveries, humans began to live here in the Bronze Age (about 3200 BC - 1200 BC). Founded by Alexander and his general Perdiccas in 330 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans in 63 BC and later became part of the Roman province of Arabia. After the 1st century, the Romans built the Roman Road in the Arabian Province, trade prospered, and Jerash ushered in an era of social prosperity. From 129 to 130 years, the Roman Emperor Hadrian visited Jerash, and the triumphal arch in Jerash was built to welcome Hadrian.

In 794, the Jerash area suffered an earthquake, and the entire city was greatly damaged. Since then, continuous wars have intensified the decline of the city. The ancient city was gradually abandoned and buried under the wilderness and soil until It was only rediscovered by German archaeologists in 1860.

Jerash is one of the most complete ancient Roman city ruins in the Middle East. The entire city walls, including residential communities, temples, churches, public entertainment facilities and monuments, are well preserved. , clearly reflects the living conditions of a city in the Roman era, so some people call Jerash the "Pompei of the Middle East". Unlike Pompeii, Jerash was not annihilated by volcanic ash, but was gradually abandoned due to continuous use. Therefore, different historical periods have left their mark on the city.

Wadi Rum Desert (Wadi Rum)

The Wadi Rum Desert is located in southern Jordan, close to the border with Saudi Arabia, east of the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, and on the central cliffs of the Jordan Plateau. To the south, the area is 741.8 square kilometers.

This natural geological feature protection area shows the special geographical landscape formed by the interaction of different factors over the years. Wadi Rum is like a geological museum that demonstrates the different structural forms of rocks caused by the impact of the earth's plates, including rapid uplift, numerous faults and rich joints.

During the millions of years of evolution, Wadi Rum's surface has experienced dramatic climate changes from humid to dry. Weathering and erosion are like miraculous works, shaping mountains and rocks into strange shapes. Sandstone mountains and canyons, through the combined action of water, salt, organisms and wind, have been weathered into various forms, including towering cliffs, huge landslides, natural arches, deep caves...this place has become a The world's most spectacular honeycomb weathering geological phenomenon display platform.

The desert not only records the process of natural evolution, but also leaves traces of the development of human civilization.

Twelve thousand years ago, humans began to enter this area. Many prehistoric rock paintings, inscriptions and archaeological sites were left in the Wadi Rum Desert. Archaeological discoveries spanned the period from the Neolithic Age to the Nabatean period. All ages of civilization. Livestock and trade, agriculture and cities in the Arabian Peninsula have all left their mark on the local environment. Empires and conquests, trade routes and migrations, thousands of years of history seem like a drop in the ocean in the desert, and they quickly disappear. Nature and humans are not in the same time and space sequence.

Amman Citadel

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is a city full of Middle Eastern style. Amman is built on seven hills, and is located on the highest hill, Jebel Al Qalaa. Amman Citadel is the oldest residential area in Amman, founded in 1800 BC. The city was rebuilt during the reign of Ptolemy II and was called Philadelphia, after Ptolemy's nickname Philadelphi.

Archeology has found that Amman has become a human settlement in the Neolithic Age. The oldest human statues were unearthed from the site of human life in 8500 BC.

After the Romans conquered the Levant in 63 BC, they began four centuries of Roman rule. Philadelphia was an important city on the trade route from Aqaba to Damascus during the Roman period, and the city's economy prospered as a result. The Temple of Hercules on Castle Hill and the Roman Theater on the hillside are relics of Philadelphia's golden age. Many churches built during the Byzantine period still have many ruins today.

After Islam was captured from the Byzantines in 630 AD, Philadelphia was named "Amman" and began to integrate into Arab culture. The Umayyad dynasty built a large palace on Castle Hill, the Umayyad Palace. The ruins are preserved to this day. In the mid-8th century, Amman experienced several earthquakes, the city was destroyed, and the Castle Hill gradually fell into ruins. The most recent architectural remains on the hill are the Crusader-era castles.

After the 13th century, the city of Amman expanded to other places, and Castle Hill was no longer a suitable area for residents to live. It has now become a historical and cultural reserve of Amman for people to visit.

Qasr Kharana

The Umayyad dynasty was the first hereditary dynasty in the Arab Empire, founded by Mu'awiya. In the 7th century, the Islamic army seized the Middle East from Byzantium, and its leader Muawiya became the governor of Syria. In 661, after the death of Caliph Ali, Muawiya was supported as the caliph, and his capital was Damascus. He began the hereditary rule of the Umayyad Dynasty until he was overthrown by the Abbasid Dynasty in 750.

During the Umayyad era, the Arab Empire continued to expand its territory and became a huge country spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. Syria and Palestine are areas directly controlled by the Caliphate, and are also the main areas of activity for the Umayyad royal family.

Qusayr Amra is a summer palace built during the period of Walid II of the Umayyad Dynasty, located in the eastern desert of Jordan. This desert castle, built between 723 and 743 next to the Wadi Butum Valley, served as a fortress, residence and entertainment palace for the caliph.

This complex palace originally covered an area of ​​25 hectares, but now only part of the palace ruins and surrounding buildings remain. The ruins of the palace include a reception hall and several rooms such as bathrooms with dressing rooms. The most valuable thing is the large number of murals that have been preserved in the palace.

These murals are unique to the Umayyad Dynasty. The themes are mainly secular life, but also include mythological stories.

The murals in the reception hall show hunting, fruit, wine and naked women. Some of the animals in the murals come from Persia and other places. The bathroom vaults are painted with stars and the ecliptic, while the walls feature scenes of hunting, lovers, gardens and palm trees. The paintings draw on Byzantine and Persian painting styles, and there are Greek and Arabic inscriptions on the walls.

The murals reflect the secular Islamic culture of the Umayyad period. Many of these early Islamic life scenes were destroyed in the later severe religious environment. This palace may have survived because it was far away in the desert. Come down, so it is precious.

Umma al-Jimal Ruins

The Umma al-Jimal Ruins is located southeast of Madaba, in a semi-arid grassland. It was originally a Roman military camp and developed into a town in the 5th century. It has gone through three historical periods: Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim, leaving behind extremely rich relics, but most of them have not been excavated.

The ruins exposed on the ground include a fortified Roman military camp, city walls and 16 churches, as well as quarries, terraces, aqueducts and cisterns around the city.

Umlaqas was once an important stop on the Christian missionary and pilgrimage routes. In the 5th century, it became a church center and built many Byzantine churches, monasteries and places of asceticism for monks. Christian activities here still enjoyed a relatively relaxed environment even during the Islamic period from the 7th to 8th centuries.

St. Stephen's Church, built from 756 to 785. It was built on the basis of the original Sergius Episcopal Church in 587, and the foundations of the original church can still be seen underground. The structure of St. Stephen's Church is grand, and the mosaics on the floor show high artistic achievements. This is the largest and most intact mosaic floor preserved in Jordan. The mosaics depict hunting and fishing scenes, as well as important towns in Palestine and Egypt during the Byzantine period, with Greek letters indicating the place names, including Amman, Madaba, Kheshbon, Ma'an, Arrabah, Karak, Jerusalem, Nablus, Caesarea and Gaza, etc., are very rare. The mosaic is signed by six mosaic masters.

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Middle East Travel | Traveling through Jordan to the ancient city of Petra, Wadi Rum Desert and the Dead Sea

For the legendary ancient rose city of Petra, Also because Lonely Planet recommended Jordan as one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world, I went on a quick trip with my friends. I didn’t do any planning before traveling because it was my first time to the Middle East and I was still worried about the safety of this trip. This trip changed from independent travel to group travel.

In the mysterious and conflict-ridden Middle East, Jordan is like an oasis in the desert. Even though Jordan has been attracting travelers from all over the world with its open attitude, most people still know very little about this place. .

Only after I visited Jordan did I realize that the people here are actually very warm and friendly. Entry and exit are easy and free because there is basically no heavy industry. The sky here is as clean and bright as if it has been cut by a knife. The sunset here may be the best in the world. One of the most beautiful. It has the most stunning natural and cultural landscapes in the world - including the ancient rose city Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, the "Valley of the Moon" Wadi Rum, the most alien-like place on earth, the world-famous Dead Sea, the colorful The colorful Red Sea and countless magnificent canyons

During this trip to Jordan, I saw the vast desert, the mysterious ancient city and the most special sea; I saw the modern metropolis and the most devout believers; I felt Seeing the blending of various cultures and cutting-edge technology; listening to ancient history and the most amazing stories. The lack of natural resources has restricted the economic development of Jordan. Poverty is indeed the first impression of this country, but as a European, hiking The back garden for adventure and outdoor travel, Jordan, which is rich in tourism resources, brings surprises to travelers that will make you think about it for a long time. If I have enough time in the next year, I actually want to go to Jordan again, bring my best friends, prepare a strategy, and experience the mysterious Arabian world in detail, and find the lost millennium in the endless red desert. of ancient city.

Visit the ancient city of Petra

Petra is an ancient city in Jordan. It is the absolute check-in place in Jordan and the main destination of our trip. It is 250 kilometers south of Amman, the capital of Jordan, hidden in a narrow canyon connecting the Dead Sea and the Strait of Al-Aqaba. This is an ancient city almost entirely carved out of rock. The rock has a reddish hue like coral and gemstones, shining in the sunlight. The special landform gives it a beautiful color, so it is also called the "Old Rose City". Petra was the capital of the kingdom of the Arab tribe Nabataeans in the 6th century BC. It was extremely prosperous in the 1st century BC. In 106 AD, it was captured by the Roman Empire army and became a province of the Roman Empire, so it can still be seen today. Many buildings that were common in ancient Roman culture. Since the 3rd century, Petra began to decline due to the rise of Red Sea trade replacing land trade routes. When it was conquered by the Arab army in the 7th century, it was already an abandoned ghost city. It was not until 1812 that Swiss travelers rediscovered it and saw it again.

Many ancient monuments have been discovered since 1812. Most of them are carved on the rock wall of a deep valley. They are Jordan's iconic attractions, the filming locations of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Transformers 2", and also the new tourist attractions in Jordan. The filming location of the Hollywood blockbuster "Aladdin" attracts tourists from all over the world every year to explore the Nabataean civilization more than 2,000 years ago.

Wadi Rum is like an alien planet

Wadi Rum is also known as the Valley of the Moon, so named because its topography is the most moon-like place on Earth. And because of its unique Bedouin culture, it has been recognized by UNESCO as Jordan's dual natural and cultural world cultural heritage. It has been home to many Hollywood blockbusters such as "The Martian", "Lawrence of Arabia", "Red Planet", and "Aladdin". filming location.

The most attractive thing about Wadi Rum is the desert experience project. To appreciate the desert landscape here, you need to take an off-road vehicle or camel to enter. The narrow canyons, natural arches, towering cliffs, huge sand dunes and The caves make you feel like you are on an alien planet. It is not recommended to drive into Wadi Rum. It is most appropriate to book a tour in advance and let the tour guide arrange the itinerary.

This is not the endless yellow desert we often see. The vast red desert is dotted with towering rock formations, cliffs and canyons. Everything in front of me is something I have only seen in science fiction movies. Although the name here is called Moon Valley, if you ride a local off-road vehicle through it, you will definitely feel that you have arrived on Mars. The wild beauty of nature is perfectly interpreted here.

The incredible mosaic city of Madaba

Madaba is a city with a history of more than 3,000 years. In history, this city has changed hands many times and has been owned by Egyptians, Jews, Greeks, etc. During the Byzantine period, Madaba became the seat of the regional bishop. During this period, especially in the sixth century, mosaic art flourished and was used in churches, palace buildings, Traces of it can be seen in private homes.

After Madaba was destroyed by a great earthquake in 747 AD, the city slept underground for more than a thousand years. It was not until 1880 that 2,000 Christians from Clark settled here and began to rebuild the city. It was when they were rebuilding the Orthodox Church of St. George in 1896 that they discovered the famous Byzantine map of the Middle East.

When visiting St. George's Church, I was almost banned from entering because I was wearing shorts. Fortunately, there are dedicated service staff at the door of the church who will lend robes to tourists, so that they can enter and visit if they cover their whole bodies.

Mount Nebo commemorates the prophet Moses

Mount Nebo is a holy place for Christians, Jews and Muslims. It is said that Moses looked at the "Promised Land" from here. of. The observation deck on the top of the mountain overlooks the entire Jordan Valley. It is said that if the weather is good enough, you can have an unobstructed view of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and other places.

According to verse 34 of the Bible, Moses, the founder of Judaism, spent his last days here and ascended to heaven. Moses is the most important figure in Christianity after God and Jesus, and is also one of the six ambassadors of Islam. Moses' name in Islam is "Musa".

On Mount Nebo stands a huge steel snake cross symbolizing the rod of Moses. It was erected in 1984 by Gianni Fantoni from Florence, Italy. This staff with a snake coiled around it symbolizes the miracles that the Lord showed to Moses. Moses used this staff to lead the people of Israel to escape from Egypt, used this staff to split the Red Sea, and used this staff to rescue people in the wilderness. Israel wanders and hungers.

In addition to the desert, there is also the sea in the Red Sea town of Akaba.

In addition to the desert, Jordan also has the most beautiful sea. The Red Sea in Aqaba, southern Jordan, has a moderate climate and gentle currents, providing a good living environment for corals and marine life. There are more than 1,200 species of fish, 500 species of coral, and the water temperature is suitable for diving all year round, allowing diving to a depth of 150 meters due to the abundant sunshine. Abandoned ships and tanks sunk at the bottom of the ocean also provide exciting destinations for divers.

On the Red Sea in Jordan, you can see Egypt on the opposite side and Saudi Arabia on the border. My friend wanted to send a message to Moments, but found that he could actually locate Egypt!

Experience the joy of floating at the lowest point in the world by floating in the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is located between Israel and Jordan. It is 76 kilometers long and 5-16 kilometers wide. It is the lowest point on the earth's surface. About 420 meters below sea level, it is called the Dead Sea because of its high concentration of salt and no living things can survive in it. Seawater has a large specific gravity and people will not sink in it. Seawater contains a variety of minerals and is a natural spa place. Dead Sea mud is a world-famous skin care product.

Floating on the surface of the Dead Sea, letting your skin absorb the healthy nutrients in the water, or enjoying an ancient therapy - Dead Sea mud bath, are unique experiences during your trip to Jordan.

Due to time arrangement, floating in the Dead Sea is the last stop of the Jordan itinerary, and the next leg of the itinerary will be Jerusalem. I always feel that this trip went by too fast, and I was always in a rush, without stopping to feel it. Fortunately, I have gained a lot. When I return to Jordan again, I can make the trip slower and stay longer. In addition to nature and monuments, you should also have a deeper experience of traditional Arab culture, exquisite Mediterranean food, and the living conditions of modern Arabs

What are the fun places in Jordan? Introduction to Jordanian tourist cities

< p> Jordan means one who crosses the river or roars. It is known as "the museum in the desert" and "the country that exports intelligence". Jordan is part of the Great Arabian Plateau. In today's Jordan, humans have established ancient civilizations thousands of years ago. As a bridge between sea and desert, east and west, from the fertile and varied Jordan Valley to the vast and tranquil desert canyons, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a beautiful country of contrasts and dreams. Chongqing Travel Agency today brought an introduction to Jordan’s tourist cities. Friends who are interested in Jordan, let’s find out what fun places there are in Jordan~

Amman

Amman is located on 19 hills And the city between the "mountains" is both a modern city and the ancient capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Amman is divided into two parts: the Old City and the New City. The old city is full of strong Arabian customs. It contains many ruins from the Roman Empire, such as the Colosseum, amphitheater and palaces. Most of the new urban areas are villa-style buildings, including hotels, gymnasiums, cultural palaces, theaters, memorial halls, etc. These modern buildings with novel designs make this ancient city look young and vibrant. Camels and cars often appear on the streets of Amman, and pedestrians on the streets wear colorful costumes.

Petra

Petra is an ancient city in Jordan, located 250 kilometers south of Amman, hidden in a narrow canyon on the east side of the Arabian Valley. Once the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, it connects to Damascus in the north, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba in the south, Gaza to the west, and the Persian Gulf behind the desert to the east. It is called the Rose City because all the buildings are carved out of rose-colored rock. The ancient city was successively ruled by the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic empires, thus leaving architectural remains of various styles. On December 6, 1985, Petra was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum means Valley of the Moon in Arabic. It is located in the eastern part of Aqaba Province and has the largest river in Jordan. It is a resort for eco-adventure tourism and a paradise for mountain hikers. It has become one of the most important tourist destinations in Aqaba Province, and tourism has become the main industry here. This is also a paradise for wild animals such as camels and horses. You can ride a camel to enjoy the scenery in the desert, or you can challenge yourself and participate in extreme activities such as rock climbing. At night, you can camp under the stars and end the wonderful experience watching the sky full of stars. day.

Jerash

Jerash is a city in northern Jordan. It is located 40 kilometers north of Amman and about 32 kilometers from Amman and the Jordan River Valley. It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities in Jordan and one of Jordan's important tourist attractions. The ancient city of Jerash is also one of Jordan's three world cultural heritage sites and is the most popular tourist attraction. Jerash is a city built here after the ancient Roman Empire invaded Jordan. It has a history of more than 2,000 years and has all the facilities of an ancient city. It is also the best-preserved Roman-style city in the Middle East. The ruins of the ancient city have long and flat stone streets, colonnades on both sides, temples on the top of the mountain, spectacular theaters, open squares, bathrooms and fountains, etc.

Madaba

Madaba is located 33 kilometers southwest of Amman, the capital of Jordan. It is the capital of Madaba Province and an important Christian settlement in Jordan. Badma is the city with the largest variety of mosaic products in the world and enjoys the reputation of "City of Mosaics". The most famous local place is the mosaic map of the Middle East on the floor of the St. George Orthodox Church. This mosaic was accidentally discovered in the 19th century. The map is the oldest surviving map of Palestine, dating back to the 6th century AD. This map is mankind's first survey and record of the Mediterranean Sea and Jerusalem. Although the mosaic embedded in the ground has been repeatedly damaged and partially destroyed, the fragments are still clear, beautiful and rare. In addition, the traditional handmade carpets produced in Madaba are also famous and exported to various countries.

Ajloun

Ajloun Province is a province in Jordan, located in the northwest of the country. The most famous attraction in the territory is the Ajloun Castle. Ajloun is one of the most typical Islamic castles in Jordan. It was built in 1184 AD by Saladin's generals to control the local iron ore mining in Ajloun and to control the three roads leading to the Jordan Valley. Main road and protects traffic between Jordan and Syria. Ajloun Castle is still a very impressive military fortress complex, where you can admire the towers, meeting halls, galleries and escalators. Standing on the top of the castle, you can also enjoy the wonderful view of the Jordan Valley. Ajloun Nature Reserve is also worth a visit. This is a protected area covering an area of ​​13 square kilometers with outstanding scenery and diverse wildlife species. There are two nature trails in the reserve and some accommodation like chalets.

Qasr Amra

Qasr Amra, located in Zarqa Province, Jordan, has by far the most famous desert castle. This castle was built in the 8th century AD and is considered the most important early Islamic building. There are a large number of murals inside, and 35 constellations are painted on its hemispherical dome. This is the earliest image of the starry sky. , its location and angle are quite precise and of great artistic value. It has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has become a popular tourist destination because it is relatively close to Amman.

The above is the introduction to Jordan tourist cities brought to you by the editor of Chongqing Travel Agency. Even though 80% of Jordan's territory is covered by desert, it is a fertile land for human civilization. Now that you know what interesting places there are in Jordan, choose a time to go see the scenery in Jordan~

Travel from Chongqing to Jordan/xianlu/yuedan

The most magical farm in the world is here Where? What's so magical about it?

The most amazing farm in the world is in the Wadi Rum Desert. Although it lives in the desert area, it supplies the entire country's vegetables and fruits. The existence of this farm is also due to the underground water contained under the desert ground, and the amount of water is very huge and very magical.