Visitors climb sand dunes in Wadi Rum, southern Jordan, May 4. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk UNESCO World Heritage site exemplifies Arabian desert's austere landscape By Lee Hae-rin WADI RUM, Jordan — Nestled in the south of Jordan, close to the Saudi Arabian border, lies a realm that seems like something from the pages of a science fiction novel. A four-hour drive south of Amman on the Desert Highway leads to Wadi Rum, a sprawling desert landscape known for its otherworldly beauty and ancient mystique.
Renowned for its surreal Martian-like terrain, the enchanting destination is a playground for adventurers and a haven for those seeking solace amidst nature's grandeur. Also known as the Valley of the Moon, this region is a UNESCO World Heritage site that stretches across 720 square kilometers of desert terrain. Its rusty orange and red sands, towering dunes and vast open spaces create a landscape unlike any other on Earth.
The dramatic rock canyons, sculpted by wind and time, stand silent against the backdrop of an endless sky. Wadi Rum, Jordan / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Otherworldly landscape Wadi Rum’s austere beauty first gained global popularity as the backdrop for a 1962 film “Lawrence of Arabia.” It then drew several science fiction filmmakers who were also in search of otherworldly landscapes, providing the backdrop for the planet Mars in Ridley Scott's film “The Martian,” the desert planet Arrakis in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” series, and.
