Abu Dhabi opens new tourist attraction at UNESCO heritage site

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the launch of Jebel Hafit Desert Park, a new tourist attraction in Al Ain region of the emirate.

The Park, located about 20 km south of Al Ain on the eastern flank of Jebel Hafit Mountain, is part of the first site in the UAE to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains numerous unique archaeological discoveries, some dating back to 8,000 years.

The new attraction will also feature a range of outdoor activities, including bike riding, guided hiking tours, several camping options – from luxury ‘glamping’ to individual tent camping – and also guided tours in powered carts. Visitors can also explore the scenery in the Park at their own leisure using the self-guided trails and signs, said the statement from DCT Abu Dhabi.

The Park’s archaeological sites reflect many of the major transformations that have taken place through the country during the past 8,000 years. Evidence suggests that this region saw the development of successive prehistoric cultures, from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, which saw its inhabitants’ transition from nomadic societies to the sedentary occupation of the oasis we see today. Among the Park’s key attractions are a series of restored and unrestored Bronze Age Tombs, it stated.

Al Ain contains some of the most prized and unique attractions in the region and internationally. These include other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the six oases and the archaeological sites of Hili and Bida bin Saud.