The Birthplace of Saudi Arabia's Tourism Industry: Al-Balad.

Al-Balad, the historic heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been immaculately preserved as a reminder of the country's history and its role as a key point of entry for religious pilgrims. The area features intricate wooden latticework known as rawasheen, which blocked the midday sun and allowed breezes to float through. Al-Balad is still an important meeting place for Saudis, and it was recently the site of a music festival called Balad Beast. The area was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2014 as Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca.