Art in the Landscape Parking — Local services in Medina Province

Update for the 2022 edition of Desert X.

The short version: it's new, it's amazing and it's free!

The long version: The approach to the new location of Desert X in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia is a work of art in itself. With wind carved stone cathedrals stretching in every direction it would be easy to wander off into the maze of slot canyons that worm their way through the desert. Fortunately the Google Map pin is spot on, the turn off from the highway is clearly marked and there is plenty of signage and friendly Saudis waiving you onwards; to the parking lot where a collection of buses, mini vans and SUVs are ready to take you on the next leg of your journey. Less than 10 minutes later you are deposited at the visitor center where you are given a quick orientation in English and Arabic, offered water and a map and invited to wander into the desert (or take advantage of a driver and off road land cruiser or quad). It is as fun as it sounds!

After a bit of desert exploring and quiet contemplation of artistic vision and some impressive feats of creative engineering, it's time to head back to the visitor center. There you can enjoy the cafe, check out the gift shop and marvel at the natural beauty with the help of a cool drink and a shady umbrella. You can even update your social media thanks to a pair of temporary cell towers hiding behind desert camouflage screens.

Overall the location of Desert X 2022 is enchanting, the art works run the gamut from thought provoking to mesmerizing and the organizers have anticipated everything you might need to enjoy your visit and then gone one giant step beyond it. Congratulations!

My only negative: it only runs...

Art exhibit in a desert surrounded with rock formations. Nice to visit, it features different work of art one by one explained by assigned staff. We were able to see few. You need a to prepare for long walk because the arts are displayed few distanced from each other though there are rides that will bring visitors from place to place, striding through the sand is amazing. You can go through bus from winter park that depart 30 min before your booked time or you can go directly to the area and you will be transferred by a bus or van to the actual site. Its for FREE, just do booking in their site to control people in the area. There is coffee shop, free drinking water supply, souvenirs shop...

It’s a huge place to stroll around so you can visit all the artworks on this exhibit. Though there are free jeep rides and desert buggies, you still have to walk for at least an hour to visit all corners and to take photos good photos of each artwork.

I highly recommend to allot half day to fully enjoy the place.

In our case, we needed to leave the other artworks unvisited just to catch the...