AlUla, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a land of extraordinary natural beauty and deep history. For thousands of years, its famed oasis, framed by dramatic sandstone mountains, has sustained diverse flora, fauna, and thriving human communities. What makes AlUla truly unique is its geological legacy, showcasing three distinct eras of Earth’s past. The oldest formations, the Precambrian Arabian Shield rocks, are layered with sediments deposited over millions of years. These layers preserve a permanent record of ancient environments, including fossilised plants and animals, offering remarkable insights into Earth’s evolution while shaping AlUla’s breathtaking and timeless desert landscape.
From fish rock to elephant rock, AlUla reveals Saudi Arabia’s stone wonders
The deserts of AlUla continue to astonish visitors with timeless natural wonders
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2 MIN READ
In Wadi Al-Fann, AlUla, stands one of Saudi Arabia’s most striking natural wonders — the Fish Rock. Nearly 200 meters long, the colossal sandstone formation resembles a giant sea creature stranded in the desert, captivating visitors with its surreal silhouette. When images first surfaced online, many speculated it was a fossilised prehistoric fish, sparking fascination and myth. Experts, however, point to erosion. According to the Royal Commission for AlUla, ancient rivers once shaped the rock as they flowed across Gondwana 500 million years ago. Today, Fish Rock remains a powerful symbol of AlUla’s timeless landscapes and geological heritage.
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Elephant Rock, AlUla’s most iconic natural wonder, rises 52 meters into the Arabian sky, resembling a giant elephant with its trunk rooted to the ground. Unlike the nearby Nabataean tombs of Hegra, carved by human hands, this sandstone colossus was sculpted by wind and water erosion over millions of years. Surrounded by golden sands and other majestic formations, Elephant Rock dominates the landscape — a timeless reminder of nature’s artistry and the enduring power of the desert.
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In AlUla’s Sharaan nature reserve, mushroom-shaped rocks stand as striking natural wonders. The most famous formation, sculpted over millions of years, owes its shape to erosion, where wind wears away the softer lower layers of sandstone more quickly. Covering 1,500 square kilometres of red-rock canyons, desert valleys, and seasonal wildflowers, the reserve is dedicated to protecting and restoring AlUla’s fragile ecosystem. Conservation efforts are underway to help native flora and fauna reclaim their natural habitat.
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Among the monumental tombs of Hegra, near Jabal Al Ahmar, stands Face Rock — a sandstone formation resembling a human head gazing across the desert. Like many of AlUla’s natural wonders, it was shaped by centuries of erosion. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit, when shifting light enhances the illusion and makes the rock appear to glow from within. This striking landmark captivates visitors and photographers, offering a magical glimpse into AlUla’s timeless landscape.
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The Arch (also known as Rainbow Rock). Its bridge-shaped structure, which resembles a rainbow flanked by two clouds, is a rare sight. Enthralled by this sprawling display of sandstone, don’t miss spotting semi-precious desert diamonds on-site.
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The Dancing Rocks are so-called because these formations are sculpted by nature to appear as if they are swaying in unison. Located in the Raggasat Valley, the rocks dance together, slightly removed from the surrounding rock formations. This place is famous for hiking activities and the dune buggy experience.
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In the remote desert areas of AlUla, find stark, black volcanic rock and inactive volcanoes which stand atop sandstone and are surrounded by seas of golden sand to make for truly dramatic, other-worldly sights. Some of those areas are visitor-friendly, with guides to experience hiking around the top of a volcano. Khaybar, the neighbouring Oasis in the south of AlUla, is well known for its two famous sites: The White Volcano and the Black Volcano.
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Lava flows- the earliest human activity is evidenced in AlUla in Harrat Uwayrid and elsewhere in northwestern Saudi Arabia in Harrat Khaybar. These important volcanic areas comprise two of the largest in Saudi Arabia. Harrat Khaybar includes a spectacular 100-kilometre-long vent system containing lava domes, tuff rings, basaltic cones and the Jabal Qidr stratovolcano. The dramatic lava flows of volcanic events can be seen across the region.
Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.
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