In the clouds of Saudi Arabia, I found a magical haven more enchanting than Disney!

Sisters! Today, I want to share a hidden gem that had me captivated, scrolling through photos on my flight home: Abha, Saudi Arabia! This isn't about deserts or famous mosques; it's a mountain sanctuary kissed by clouds. Even the locals say, "Those who visit Abha feel their souls lighten." 🌤️ First Impressions of Abha: Clouds Below, Mountains Above The moment I stepped off the plane, the air struck me—humid, with a hint of mint, completely overturning my preconceptions of Saudi Arabia! The Sarawat Mountains, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, embrace the city like a giant. Above, cotton-candy clouds; below, ochre-red houses scattered across the cliffs. It felt like stepping into a Miyazaki film. Tip: Arrive early in the morning to witness the mist transform the city into a floating mountain straight out of *Avatar*! 🏰 The "Rope Village," a Journey Through Time: Wilder Than a Movie Set At the entrance to Habalah village, our guide suddenly produced a thick rope: "Ladies, this is your ticket." My legs trembled as I climbed the near-vertical rock face, but the moment the cliff-carved stone houses came into view, I was speechless with awe! These "sky fortresses," built over 100 years ago by the ancestors of the Qattan people to escape the Turks, are still inhabited. Villagers cook on wood-burning stoves, and the walls bear mysterious symbols carved by their ancestors. 🎨 A UNESCO-Recognized Spectacle At the Abha Museum, I discovered colors more vibrant than a Dior runway show! The walls are adorned with "Qatt Al Aseer" embroidery, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Geometric patterns dyed with ochre, indigo, and pomegranate juice weave the Asir night sky into the fabric. Even more stunning is the women's market! Saudi women, their eyes peeking from beneath their headscarves, spread rainbow-colored fabrics and silver bracelets across the stone streets. I learned to beat dye into cloth with a traditional wooden mallet from a grandmother who suddenly said in Chinese, "Girl, color is a woman's armor!" I was deeply touched. 😭 🚡 Chasing a "Sunset in the Clouds" by Cable Car At Asir National Park, I experienced the most romantic "high-altitude hike"! Taking Saudi Arabia's only cable car to the 3,000-meter summit, I watched a sea of clouds churn outside the glass viewing platform, with the distant Turkish fortresses resembling rust-colored stars. As the sun set, locals spontaneously began singing folk songs. The setting sun painted the entire Asir National Park in honeyed hues. At that moment, I understood why Abha is called the "Hawaii of Saudi Arabia"—even the wind whispers stories here. 🍴 Hidden Culinary Gems: A "Time Capsule" Dinner on the Cliff's Edge Don't miss the restaurant housed in the renovated Ben Hamdan Palace! In this 19th-century stone mansion, I was served "dancing yogurt"—a yogurt dip made with mint and rosewater, paired with roasted chickpeas. Enjoying this with the cliffside night view outside the window, I almost dropped my phone! To my surprise, the owner, a third-generation descendant, speaks Chinese. His basement holds a wall full of antique copper pots, and we chatted about history until closing time. 📌 Tips to Avoid Pitfalls (Learned the Hard Way) 1️⃣ Bring a warm jacket! Temperatures on the mountaintop can plummet to 10°C even in March. My short sleeves left me freezing! 2️⃣ Ticket strategy: Asir National Park tickets include audio guides, but local student guides (with English proficiency equivalent to Level 6) are much more engaging! 3️⃣ Be cautious with handicrafts: The quality of embroidered bags at the women's market varies. Look for shops with the UNESCO emblem. 4️⃣ Local lingo: Telling drivers "Rijal Almaa" is more effective than saying "Rijal Alma village." Afterword: Abha isn't just a travel destination; it's a journey through time and magic. As I saw the ochre-red rooftops peeking through the clouds from my return bus, I understood why the Saudi Crown Prince has made this place a core part of his "Vision 2030" tourism plan. It holds something more precious than oil: the ancient wisdom of humanity's coexistence with nature. Sisters, in 2025, let's escape the ordinary travel itineraries and experience the touch of the clouds!