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Al Rudaf Park

Located south of Taif is a large natural park where clumps of tree lie scattered amidst magnificent weathered granite rocks.The site also has a small zoo.This is a huge natural park where visitors can view a variety of trees as well as spectacular granite rocks, all of which add to the beauty of the place.A highlight to our visit to  this park is our camel ride.The  camels here  are provided with  elaborate and colorful  seats mounted on their backs where the passenger can safely sit.For photo ops, one has to shell out 5 Saudi Riyal (SR)  or equivalent  to  60 pesos and if you want to have a brief ride, you pay 10 SR or P120 pesos for that.

Shubra Palace

is a beautifully restored traditional house which doubles as the citys museum.It was originally built around the turn of the century, and has been used as a residence by a number of Saudi kings.For a real taste of old Taif, the Tailors Souk is a sandstone alleyway of ancient shops tucked between the town’s modern buildings.Shubra Palace, the former summer residence of King Abdul Aziz, is today maintained by the Ministry of Defense and Aviation.The large white structure is the most distinguished and famous historical building in the city.It has a lush garden, originally fed by a water channel from a nearby spring. The ornate windows and doors are carved with intricate motifs.There is a museum in the city in the Shubra Palace, open only on Thursday from 9am to 7pm.

Taif Gardens

In addition to producing high quality fruits and vegetables, Taifs gardens are renowned throughout the Kingdom for their exquisite roses.Blooming in springtime, these delicate flowers color the landscape.Among them is a particularly sweet perfumed red rose that has for centuries been used to produce a valuable essence know as “attar” which can be used alone or as one of the ingredients in other perfumes.In the old days, when the flowers bloomed, rose farmers would gather the petals and send them by camel caravan to Makkah, where they were pressed into attar. Famous throughout the Islamic world, pilgrims still like to buy at least one vial of this essence to take home as a souvenir of the Hajj.The roses and other fragrant flowers of Taif attract many bees, making the region a major producer of honey.Taifs honey has a light-golden color, does not set hard and has an extremely pleasing flavor and aroma, and is thus in great demand.Taifs largest and most famous public garden is the King Fahd Park.Among its amenities is a lake, playgrounds, gazebos, walking paths and a mosque.In a suburb of Taif called Al-Radf, there is a zoo with a large variety of animals from around the world, in addition to exotic local varieties.

Rock Carving Site

Located 40 km (25 mi) north of Taif, this was the site of the Okaz Souk, the largest and most well known of the pre-Islamic souqs or gathering places.The souq was a scene for annual social, political and commercial gatherings.It was also the location of competitive recitation of poetry and prose.The buildings remain, including prominent outlines of walls of basaltic stone.

Wadi Mitna

The Prophet Mohammed’s (peace be upon him) sanctuary in 662AD, first year of Hegira. Mohammed came here to gain support of the Hawazeen and the Tawfiq but was stoned by the tribes. He was later given sanctuary by his fellows in a small house now used as a mosque.

Turkish Fort

The remains of the fort are located near the Rock Carvings, legend has it that Lawrence of Arabia fought here in 1917.Many battles have been fought there and many graves can be found.It is believed that the Lawrence of Arabia fought in this venue in the historic year of 1917.Many battles are said to be fought in this venue.The visitors will also come across numerous graves in this location.

Al Shafa

A small village situated high upon the Sarawat mountains at an elevation of 2200 to 2500 meters above sea level, rich in agricultural products.The fruit gardens of Taif are located here.Great view for the camera buff and for those with an adventurous heart, try a camel ride.When driving to Jeddah from Taif non-Muslim travellers will have to use the non-Muslim Bypass to get around Mecca.

Taif rose plantation

In the month of April the rose fields are filled with these small fragrant pink roses that are picked at dawn and later distilled into expensive Taif rose oil.Taif perfume has been used in several luxury perfumes including Ormonde Jayne Perfumery, Chanel and Guerlain.

April - August
November - February

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