Asir: Enchanting nature and ancient heritage
The Asir region in southwestern Saudi Arabia is an integrated tourist destination that combines the beauty of nature with the depth of history and culture. Asir is characterized by its diverse terrain, from towering peaks covered with dense forests, to heritage villages, ancient castles, and popular markets that reflect the life of the local community.
Nature in Asir: Summits, mountains and forests
The Asir region is located on the peaks of the Sarawat Mountains, and includes the highest mountain heights in the Kingdom. On Mount Tahlal, the famous Soudah rises to 3015 meters above sea level, the highest peak in Saudi Arabia. These mountains are covered with a dense green cover of juniper trees, forming charming natural forests. In the summer, cool, pleasant weather prevails in the highlands, and fog hugs the peaks for most of the year, making the city of Namas nicknamed the “City of Fog”. In winter, snow may fall on the highest mountains such as Souda, a rare sight in the Kingdom.
Events and festivals: Aseer Summer and its distinctive events
The Asir region thrives on tourism events and festivals, especially in the summer season, when the climate of the mountains becomes “cool and rainy in summer” as the slogan of Asir Season says. In recent years, the Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Culture have launched attractive initiatives that have made Asir the center of attention of tourists from inside and outside the Kingdom during holidays and seasons.
Archaeological and historical places: Ancient villages, castles and markets
The Asir region has a rich historical heritage that is reflected in ancient villages, ancient castles, and popular markets that are still vibrant and alive. When you visit these attractions, you will feel as if you are traveling back in time to bygone eras, and you will see in front of you scenes of the region’s history and civilization.
On the western slopes of the Asir Mountains lies the famous village of Rijal Almaa, which has been transformed into an open museum of history and culture. More than 900 years old, the village was once an important stop on the caravan and pilgrimage route between the Sarawat Mountains and the Tihama Plains. The village consists of about 60 monolithic heritage stone buildings, built of natural stone, mud and wood in a unique architectural style. Its multi-story houses are characterized by their white windows and wooden doors carved with ornaments, earning it the title of “the architectural pearl” among the peaks of Asir.
No historical journey in Asir is complete without passing through the ancient folk markets that were and still are the lifeline of economic and social life. It has evolved over time from a weekly market day to a permanent weekday market, but it sees its peak of activity on Tuesdayof every week, which is where you can find some of Asir’s finest honey, handmade jewelry and silverware. You can find the finest types of Asir’ s famous honey, jewelry and silver handicrafts created by the artisans, and you will also notice the folk costumes on display, especially the Asiri dress embroidered with brightly colored threadsand the traditionalyellow handkerchief that women used to wear in the past.
Cultural experiences: Customs and traditions that reflect Asir’s authenticity
The people of Asir have inherited craft skills and visual arts that have become part of their cultural identity. One of the most prominent of these arts is the Asiri qat, the art of carving and decorating the interior walls of houses with colorful geometric patterns. Traditionally, Asir women decorate the majlis with this art using natural dyes and geometric shapes inspired by the environment, such as the shapes of feathers, niches, and more. The Asiri cat received global attention when it was inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, visitors can see magnificent examples of the Asiri cat at Al Muftaha Art Village in Abha, where murals are dedicated to showcasing this art form, and you can visit the Asiri Cat Museum to learn about the history of this art form and its most prominent artists.
