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The Empty Quarter desert, also known as Rub' al Khali, is a vast, uninterrupted stretch of sand that has nurtured kings, explorers, and nomads for thousands of years.
In Abu Dhabi, the mesmerizing Empty Quarter desert, with its serene silence, showcases smooth golden and red sand dunes that gracefully shift with the wind, forming majestic sandhills towering dozens of meters high, visible from a distance with the naked eye.
The Empty Quarter desert. Photo: @Crossing The Empty Quarter
Describing the world's largest uninterrupted sand mass, explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger wrote, “It is so tranquil, with a silence we no longer know in our own world.” An ideal destination for those seeking a true adventure experience!
The intriguing truth about The Empty Quarter desert
This stunning desert covers an area of about 250,000 square miles (650,000 square kilometers) in a structural basin primarily located in the southeastern part of Saudi Arabia, with smaller portions in Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
Rub al Khali is larger than France by 40,000 square miles! That comparison helps you easily grasp how this desert earns the title of the world's largest uninterrupted sand desert! It constitutes over a quarter of the total area of Saudi Arabia.
A sky filled with stars over the desert. Photo: @Florian Kriechbaumer
As one of the driest regions globally, Rub' al-Khali is nearly devoid of human presence and largely unexplored.
Around 6,000 to 2,000 years ago, dried-up lakes could be found here.
In 1931, Brit Bertram Thomas became the first Western explorer to traverse Rub' al Khali in 59 days, covering a distance of 1,300 km.
However, the Empty Quarter desert in Abu Dhabi is not a place for constructing a town; instead, it has become a magnet for adventurous travelers seeking to experience a true natural wonder.
Photo: @Original Travel
The Empty Quarter or the Empty District receives only 1.2 inches of rain per year. This area is one of the driest places you can find on Earth and consequently one of the least populated. This makes it a perfect destination if you seek tranquility and serenity.
This region is one of the driest places on Earth. Photo: @Crossing The Empty Quarter
While traders embarked on journeys through Rub Al Khali in search of wealth throughout history, the vast desert still lacks a consistent human presence. Despite this, a legend tells of a lost city in the sands of The Empty Quarter. Known as the 'Atlantis of Sand,' Ubar and Iram, many have sought it, yet none have found it. It's said that no long-term settlement could be built without modern technology, but explorers still keep an eye out for signs of a civilization swallowed by the desert.
Photo: @John C. Smith
One of the most commonly used terms to describe this desert is the 'otherworldly.' Once you move beyond buildings, power lines, and streets, you'll encounter a pristine landscape resembling something out of a sci-fi film. The desert has been used as a backdrop for films like Star Wars and The Matrix. Authors like HP Lovecraft, Frank Herbert, and Clive Barker also drew inspiration from the desert when creating their own fantasy worlds. If you want to leave the Earth you know without becoming an astronaut, a trip to Rub Al Khali is an intriguing option.
Photo: @Outdooractive
The Empty Quarter desert is one of the few remaining places on Earth where campers can experience sleeping under the stars. Light pollution often hinders our view of the stars. Only when you escape civilization and venture into an undisturbed natural area like Rub al Khali can you finally see all the stars we used to see in the sky.
Rub al Khali is an ideal place for camping and sleeping under the stars. Photo: @Jumeirah
However, the desert stands as a natural oasis in a world dominated by concrete and modernity. Stepping out of normal life and entering the Empty Quarter is a sublime experience.
3 intriguing destinations in the world's largest sand desert
While crossing a vast desert may seem unimaginable, you don't have to face the challenge to experience it. Immerse yourself in luxury by booking a premium hotel hidden amidst the dunes or get close to the world's tallest sand dunes.
Camping in the desert. Photo: @Dubai city tour
1. Anantara's Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Stunning by day or under a star-filled sky, this ever-changing vast desert proudly hosts one of the world's most luxurious hotels – Anantara's opulent Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort.
A fairytale-like destination reminiscent of One Thousand and One Nights, this luxurious five-star oasis resembles an ancient Arabian fortress nestled in a valley with towering sand dunes.
Anantara's Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. Photo: @izkiz
In addition to the warm Arabian hospitality, exquisite interiors, and luxurious cuisine, the hotel offers solo travelers, couples, or families an adventurous dose – from sunrise desert walks to camel treks, touching the dunes to falcon feeding and Saluki (desert hunting dog) performances, camping – bonfires and more.
2. Tilal Liwa Hotel
Located at the edge of this majestic Arabian desert, you'll find the exquisite Tilal Liwa Hotel, a secluded luxury retreat equipped with all the amenities of modern living. Explore impressive restaurants, a spacious outdoor pool with stunning views of the dunes, and a plethora of desert activities for all ages.
Photo: @Travel, Art and Beyond
3. Tel Moreeb
If you're in the Empty Quarter desert, venture to the world's tallest sand dune named Tel Moreeb – meaning the Terrifying Mountain.
Tel Moreeb sand dune. Photo: @Discover Asia
Photo: @Abu Dhabi
Rising over 300 meters with a 50-degree incline, this sand dune is a paradise for 4×4 enthusiasts, as experienced drivers compete to conquer its summit in the Moreeb Hill Climb event, part of the Liwa International Festival held in winter. If you prefer a safer approach, simply admire the sand dune from a distance and capture some breathtaking photos of your own.
Fleurdelys (composite) – luhanhvietnam.com.vn
Photo: Internet
Posted by: Khanh Nguyen Thien
Keywords: Exploring 'another world' in the journey through The Empty Quarter desert
