Ancient Saudi Ruins to Open Up to Tourism: Pictures

The Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-colored sandstone in Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a landmark agreement in Paris yesterday for the touristic and cultural development of the northwestern site, once a crossroads of ancient civilizations. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A Saudi man walking near ancient tombs at the Khuraiba archaeological site near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. Al-Ula, an area rich in archaeological remnants, is seen as a jewel in the crown of future Saudi attractions as the austere kingdom prepares to issue tourist visas for the first time. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Rose-colored sandstone in Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
The tomb at Madain Saleh near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A Saudi man and journalist visiting the Madain Saleh. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A Saudi man at the Khuraiba archaeological site near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in northwest Saudi Arabia, Al-Ula is home to the Nabataean city of Mada’in Salih, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A date farm at the Khuraiba archaeological site near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
The entrance of a tomb at Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Rose-colored sandstone mountains in the desert of al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A tomb at Madain Saleh. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Home to dramatic desert landscapes, spectacular rock formations and some of the Middle East’s most significant ancient sites, Al-Ula is a wonder of the ancient Arabian world. Originally called Hegra, Mada’in Salih was the southern Nabataean capital with Petra the northern capital. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
The old historical town of al-Ula in northwestern Saudi Arabia. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
Al-Ula, an area rich in archaeological remnants, is seen as a jewel in the crown of future Saudi attractions. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
A man standing outside the Qasr al-Farid tomb (The Lonely Castle) carved into rose-coloured sandstone in Madain Saleh. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Tombs carved in rose-colored sandstone in Madain Saleh. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
Carved rose-colored sandstone in Madain Saleh. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images
The entrance of a tomb at Madain Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of al-Ula. FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images