Taif City

Taif City is a Saudi city in the west of the Kingdom. Taif Governorate drew the largest share of domestic tourism in the Kingdom, which earned it the title "City of Roses and Bride of Saudi Summer Resorts". [1][2] Its origins date back to pre-Islamic times; it is the eastern gateway to Makkah and contains two Ihram boundary points (miqats). [9] Its climate is moderate in summer, with natural views, most notably in the cool districts of Al-Shafa and Al-Hada, which draw visitors and tourists locally and internationally. [1]

Taif City lies in the west of the Kingdom and has an abundant natural heritage of varied landmarks and landscapes, wildlife and native flora and fauna, and attractive natural parks. [2] Al-Hada covers an area of 210 square kilometres, bordered on the east by Taif City and the Al-Hawiyyah suburb, on the west by the Sarawat mountain escarpment and Al-Kur, on the north by Al-Sail Al-Kabir centre, and on the south by the Al-Shafa tourist centre. [6]

Taif has dozens of parks equipped with amenities and games for families and children, among the best places for tourism and a recreation spot for families and visitors. [2] The best known is Al-Radf Park, which contains six gardens devoted to world civilisations, an artificial lake with dancing water fountains, and wooden canopies. [2]

Traditional and modern farms spread across Taif Governorate abound with seasonal fruits, especially in Maysan Bal-Harith, Bani Malik, Thaqif, Bani Saad, Thumalah, Liyyah, Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, the villages of Quraysh, Tuwairiq and Al-Aylah. [3]

Taif Governorate is known for rose production: it contains more than 700 farms distributed across the Al-Hada area and other parts of Taif, and roses are grown in the cold agricultural zones. [1] The Taif rose spreads through Taif City, especially in the mountainous areas such as Al-Hada, Al-Shafa, Wadi Muharram, Al-Talhat, Wadi Al-Amaq, Wadi Al-Bani, Balad Tuwairiq and Al-Makhadah. [4]

The Taif rose begins to bloom for a period ranging from 40 to 50 days; the rose bush carries its buds and opens daily in limited quantities, and the opened roses are picked until the yield reaches its highest level, then gradually declines until it stops. This rose blooms only once each year. [4]

The sixteenth Taif Rose Festival was launched in 1442 AH, and it announced an award for the best historical study and innovation to support the continuity of the Taif rose industry, presented by the King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah) under the supervision of the Taif History Centre at Taif University on an annual basis. [5]

Taif is known for its distinctive tourist sites, such as museums, gardens, popular markets, and farms of fruits, roses and aromatic flowers. Among its most prominent cultural sites is Souq Okaz, which the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage developed by organising the Souq Okaz festival over recent years. The market bears the name of one of the most important and popular markets in the history of the Arabian Peninsula in the pre-Islamic era and early Islam, and it served as a forum for intellectuals, poets and the various arts. [1]

Among its historical landmarks is Shubra Palace, where King Abdulaziz resided after unifying the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and from which he administered the affairs of governance during his summer stay in Taif; it also witnessed the birth of Princes Nawaf and Talal bin Abdulaziz. King Faisal bin Abdulaziz then took the palace as the seat of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers during the summer. [7]

A royal order was issued to establish an authority for the development of Taif Governorate, based on what was submitted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister; a royal decree then formed the authority's board of directors under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture. [9] The authority coordinates the efforts of the sectors concerned with the governorate's development, prepares policies, plans and studies, stimulates investment in sectors including agriculture and rural tourism, and raises the quality of life. [9]

The Taif History Centre was launched at Taif University in the presence of the Governor of Taif, Saad Al-Maimouni, the Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz Foundation (Darah), Dr Fahd Al-Samari, the president of the university, Dr Yousef Asiri, and a number of academics. [8]

The "Model Airport Charter" was launched at Taif International Airport; it targets government sectors and the bodies operating at the airport to strengthen communication and cooperation among all, deliver the best services to travellers and achieve the highest levels of satisfaction, given that the airport is the governorate's first gateway. [10]

Q: Where is Taif City located? A: In the west of the Kingdom; it is the eastern gateway to Makkah and contains two Ihram boundary points (miqats), and its origins date back to pre-Islamic times. [2][9]

Q: What is Taif City known for? A: It is known as the "City of Roses and Bride of Saudi Summer Resorts", and it has a moderate climate in summer with natural views in Al-Shafa and Al-Hada. [1]

Q: How long does the Taif rose season last and when is it harvested? A: The Taif rose begins to bloom for a period ranging from 40 to 50 days, and the opened roses are picked daily until the yield reaches its highest level; this rose blooms only once each year. [4]

Q: What are the most prominent landmarks of Taif City? A: They include Souq Okaz, Shubra Palace, Al-Radf Park and Taif International Airport, along with museums, popular markets and dozens of parks equipped for families and children. [1][2][7][10]

Q: Which body is responsible for developing Taif Governorate? A: The Taif Governorate Development Authority, established by royal order, whose board of directors is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture. [9]

Taif City combines its position as the eastern gateway to Makkah and its moderate climate in summer with its agricultural heritage in the Taif rose and seasonal fruits, its cultural and historical landmarks, and its development and scientific institutions. [1][4][9] Related topics on the platform include Makkah Region and Sarawat Mountains.