Al-Ula is located in Wadi al-Qura, a famous and important valley since antiquity. It has long been a place of trekking, travel and exploration. It was traversed by ancient and historical trade routes, cultural exchanges and pilgrimages that linked the Levant (the eastern Mediterranean countries) and Egypt to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The Hejaz Railway followed the same routes, greatly improving the speed and safety of travel, and was included in the UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage, and today its remains can be seen and immersed in its rich history.