Riyadh: Riyadh takes on a magical charm during Eid Al-Fitr, becoming a hub of festive picnic spots.

One popular destination is Wadi Hanifa, a serene valley in the heart of the capital. With lush greenery, man-made lakes, water channels and diverse wildlife, it offers a perfect escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Mohammed Abdul Jaleel, a Lebanese visitor, said: “We are here with friends and family, enjoying a barbecue and celebrating this special occasion with joy. The weather is perfect, kids are playing, and families are making the most of this time before summer sets in.”

He added: “Whether hiking, cycling, or picnicking by the water, Wadi Hanifa offers a refreshing retreat in nature.”

Riyadh resident Baddiuzz Zaman Sheikh, celebrating Eid with friends, said: “It is a great picnic spot. I come here often for barbecues. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, it is a popular getaway.”

Anyone familiar with the area likely knows Wadi Hanifa — once a dumping ground but now a lush desert oasis, transformed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City with gardens, wetlands and thousands of trees.

As well as evening strolls and picnics, Wadi Hanifa offers an array of exciting activities — and many people are unaware it is a global destination for runners.

The Great Runs website highlights the “groomed trails” near the Diplomatic Quarter, which feature an 8 km loop through desert scenery. South of the valley, Stone Dam Park challenges athletes with a 210-step staircase.

Jamal Hassan, a Yemeni expat who was enjoying a card game with friends, said: “This beautiful valley on Riyadh’s outskirts offers water channels, green corridors, walkways and picnic spots amid orchards and farms, making it a top attraction for residents and visitors.

“Riyadh needed a place like this — an escape into nature away from the city's hustle. It is a perfect spot to relax.”

Another popular Eid picnic spot is Wadi Namar, south of the capital. Its dam, lake and scenic waterfall draws people all year round.

Tabinda Qamar, there with her family, said: “On Eid’s first day, it was so crowded that security asked us to return early the next day. We did — and had a wonderful time. The park is spacious, with play areas for kids, making it ideal for families and friends. It is a perfect holiday spot, and we truly enjoyed it.”

Many people also visit Salam Park, which features a large, illuminated lake with fountains, playgrounds, green spaces and recreational areas. Once a private farm with date palms, a residential estate and a 70-year-old mosque, it was later transformed due to its strategic location and the city’s need for open spaces.

Rumana Ambar, who visited with her family, said: “It is a natural retreat in the busy city — perfect for holidays with family and friends. With well-maintained facilities, it stands out as one of Riyadh’s top attractions.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed the border deal forged between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the Fergana Valley, a long-disputed region that has ignited bloody clashes.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kingdom also congratulated the three Central Asian neighbors for signing a Khujand Declaration on Eternal Friendship, wishing them “continued stability and prosperity.”

Saudi Arabia has maintained deep ties with Central Asian countries, even hosting the GCC Central Asian Investment Forum 2024 in May last year.

The border deal signed on Monday by presidents Emomali Rakhmon of Tajikistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and Sadyr Japarov Kyrgyzstan, formalized the point where their countries’ borders meet in the mountainous valley.

The densely populated region has been the scene of numerous conflicts — mainly for control of water that is running out in a region badly hit by climate change.

The three leaders met several days before an EU-Central Asia summit in Uzbekistan. Relations between the former Soviet republics, long strained by rivalries, have warmed recently.

Borders in Central Asia were often drawn up under the Soviet Union and never properly demarcated.

But in recent years, Central Asian countries have announced border agreements to regulate the sharing of water, facilitate trade and ensure the stability of this resource-rich region.

In the Tajik city of Khujand, the three presidents also called in similar statements for “reinforcing the cooperation between brotherly nations” — including in energy and transport.

The Tajik and Kyrgyz leaders also inaugurated a section of a joint high-voltage line to supply Pakistan and Afghanistan with energy produced by Central Asian hydroelectric power stations.

The summit follows the signing of border treaties in mid-March between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in 2023.

(With AFP)