The whistle of the Hejaz Railway echoes once again through Wadi Rum, transforming this historic legacy into a vibrant tourist attraction. The experience blends the aroma of the past with the spirit of adventure, offering an interactive journey that reconnects visitors with Jordan’s national identity.
اضافة اعلان
Tourists can board the Hejaz Railway at the Wadi Rum station, traveling between mountains and tourist camps while watching a theatrical performance depicting the Arab Revolt. The journey covers roughly 10 km before returning to its starting point.
Muwaffaq Abu Roman, CEO of the Jordanian Heritage Revival Company, said, “The Hejaz Railway experience is one of our most innovative tourism products, presenting Jordan’s history in a live narrative that combines culture, adventure, and education. It is part of the ‘Renaissance Triangle’ project linking the King’s Palace in Ma’an, the House of Sharif Hussein bin Ali in Aqaba, and the Wadi Rum railway experience.”
Abu Roman added that this tourist product revives the national memory. “It embodies His Majesty the King’s vision of turning heritage into an interactive experience that fosters belonging and enriches both domestic and international tourism. Visitors begin at museums and Arab Revolt stations, exploring intricate details of the revolution through interactive displays and rare archival photos, then proceed to the railway station, boarding the Hejaz train amidst a theatrical atmosphere with train whistles, galloping horses, and characters portraying freedom heroes.”
He noted that the project’s benefits extend beyond culture to include local, social, and economic impacts by providing job opportunities for the local community, training them in acting, tour guiding, and event management, empowering youth in Wadi Rum, Ma’an, and Aqaba.
Bridging History and the Present
Dr. Rana Al-Tarawneh, a heritage tourism expert, said, “The Hejaz Railway experience in Wadi Rum is an interactive platform blending history and the present, entertainment and knowledge in one scene. It revives the memory of the place and its people, connecting visitors to authentic Arab history in a modern way that reinforces national identity and belonging. This unique experience goes beyond traditional tourism, serving as an educational and cultural tool for younger generations to understand the values and sacrifices behind the Arab Revolt.”
She added, “Integrating this experience into tourism programs in the Golden Triangle bridges heritage tourism with local development, creating jobs, energizing surrounding communities, and enhancing Jordan’s image as a destination that invests in its cultural legacy with creativity and innovation.”
Jordanian history researcher Dr. Bakr Al-Majali affirmed, “The Hejaz Railway is a living witness to a pivotal moment in Arab history, where the dream of renaissance merged with the will for liberation. Reviving it interactively in Wadi Rum is a triumph for collective memory and a restoration of the historical voice still echoing in this ancient desert. It sends a profound message: nations that preserve their history are capable of shaping their future. The Hejaz Railway has become a living symbol of identity and loyalty to one’s roots.”
Mohammed Al-Zawaideh, a youth participant, said, “I used to work in agriculture, and now I act on the railway, telling my ancestors’ story to visitors. This project changed my life, giving me a chance to be part of a grand national narrative.”
He added, “The project has also boosted daytime tourism in Wadi Rum by combining the train experience with 4x4 tours, sunset trips, camping, and traditional cooking (Zarb), increasing visitor stay duration and spending.”
Extending Tourist Stays
Local resident Mohammed Al-Basoul noted, “This type of tourism is exactly what the world seeks today: experiences that tell a story, combining emotions and knowledge, leaving a mark on the heart before the camera. Reviving the train in Wadi Rum naturally extends tourists’ stays.”
Originally, the Hejaz Railway in Wadi Rum began in the early 20th century to transport pilgrims and goods, later becoming a historic symbol that preserves the memory of the Arab Revolt and promotes tourism in southern Jordan.
The railway was established in 1900 by order of Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II to connect Damascus with Medina, facilitating pilgrimages and strengthening Ottoman control over the Hejaz. Wadi Rum served as a strategic stop, supplying trains with water and coal and assisting pilgrims and traders.
During the Arab Revolt (1916–1918), Arab rebels led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali targeted the Hejaz Railway strategically, carrying out sabotage operations against Ottoman movements. The remnants of explosions and old equipment remain in Wadi Rum as a living testament to this historic era. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, train operations gradually ceased, and carriages and stations were abandoned, though they remained under the management of the Jordanian Hejaz Railway Corporation, officially established in 1920.
The train was reactivated at the start of 2022, operating actively between 2022 and 2024, and has welcomed around 48,000 visitors from 124 countries.
In recent years, the Jordanian Heritage Revival Company has revitalized the Hejaz Railway in Wadi Rum, transforming it into a unique tourism experience that reenacts Arab Revolt scenes using original carriages and steam locomotives. This experience connects heritage with tourism promotion, further positioning Wadi Rum as a global destination blending natural beauty with historical significance.
