Jordan：The Top Attractions You Have to See When Visiting this Fascinating Middle-eastern Country

Jordan is an Arab country located in the Middle East, east of the Jordan River. Jordan is defined by ancient monuments, modern cities, desert landscapes and plush seaside resorts. From the world-famous Petra, which is one of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites, to the fascinating landmarks in Madaba, Jordan is home to many places that are worth a sightseeing visit. Below is a list of some of the most popular and interesting sightseeing destinations in Jordan.

1. Petra (Southern Jordan)

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This incredible ancient city carved into the rock face in the surrounding sandstone cliffs is believed to date back to the 4th century BC. Set in a narrow valley, the rocks here contain a number of impressive tombs, temples and other monuments carved out of the rock by the Nabataean Arabs who ruled the area over 2000 years ago. The unique city is also known as the 'rose-red city' because of the hue of the red sandstone the structures were carved from. Be sure to check out Al-Khazneh, one of the most impressive and best preserved of the ancient structures found here.

2. Wadi Rum (Southern Jordan)

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Wadi Rum is a vast stretch of pastel-colored desert landscape in southern Jordan, which contains ancient riverbeds and amazing rock formations known as jebels. Wadi Rum’s incredible landscape was formed after millions of years of geological formation, erosion and evolution. Also referred to as the “Valley of the Moon”, it was the site of David Lean’s epic film, Lawrence of Arabia. Its red sands also make it a favorite destination for those looking to imitate the surface on planet Mars.

3. The Dead Sea

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The lowest point on the earth's surface, the Dead Sea sits at 400 meters below sea level on the border of Jordan and Israel. The waters here are famous for their high salt content, around six times as much as a normal ocean, allowing visitors to float much easier than in ordinary water. The name comes from the fact that nothing can live in the sea, you won't see any fish or even plant life like seaweed floating around there. Apart from the incredible floating sensation the waters are also said to have healing properties due to the rich mineral content which also has huge benefits for the skin.

4. Jerash Ruins (Amman)

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Jordan's incredible historical ruins don't just stop at Petra. in the north of the country you'll find the Jerash ruins, one of the best preserved Graeco-Roman cities in the world. The ruins were discovered in 1806 after being buried under sand for centuries, with a number of ancient structures still standing today such as the impressive Arch of Hadrian.

5. King Abdullah Mosque (Amman)

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One of the most beautiful mosques in the world, the King Abdullah Mosque was built by King Hussein in memory of his grandfather, the first King of Jordan. The mosque is praised for its beautiful grand blue dome at the center of the building which is decorated with Quranic inscriptions. The structure looks exceptionally picturesque at night when the dome is lit up, highlighting its vivid blue color.

6. Aqaba (Gulf of Aqaba)

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A charming coastal town at the tip of the Red Sea, Aqaba is a great option to relax and soak in the Arabian sun. Unlike the Dead Sea, the Red Sea is teeming with marine life and its beautiful turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling and getting up close to the colorful reefs. There are also a number of different water sports you can take part in around the area including water-skiing, parasailing and jet-skiing. The town also contains a number of historic sites dating back to 4000 BC along with easy access to the famous sites of Petra.

7. Ajlun Castle (Jabal Ajlun)

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Built nearly 1,000 years ago, the castle is one of the most important ecological and historical attractions in Jordan. It was built on top of Mt ‘Auf to protect the trade and commercial routes between Jordan and Syria as well as any attack by Crusaders in the vicinity.

Today, the castle features a series of intricately designed ceiling apertures, ventilation shafts, and cisterns that ensure there’s free circulation of light, water, and air throughout this sightseeing landmark. The climb to the top is about three kilometers, but those who make are rewarded with incredible views over the surrounding area.

8. The Jordan Museum (Ras Al-Ayn)

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The perfect place to learn about the extensive history and cultural heritage of Jordan, the Jordan Museum not only holds the country's most significant archaeological findings but also a number of fascinating educational exhibits and galleries telling the story of Jordan's past, present and future. The museum is most famous for holding some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Jewish texts that you can find there.　

9. Mount Nebo

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Mount Nebo is one of the most revered holy sites in Jordan and it’s located in the region just northwest of Madaba. It rises majestically from the rugged landscape to a height of about 829 meters above sea level. It is claimed that this was the mountain Moses climbed to get a glimpse of the Promised Land before he died.

Make sure to visit the Memorial Church of Moses, which includes a Byzantine basilica and an Old Baptistery. You’ll get to see ancient Byzantine mosaics that have been unearthed and preserved there. You can also stand on the platform in front of the church for a breathtaking view of the Jordan River, Dead Sea, all the way to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

10. Greek Orthodox Basilica of St. George (Madaba)

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Located northwest of Madaba, this beautiful church is one of the main places of worship and pilgrimage across Jordan. The church, which was built in 1896 AD over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church, is famous for the Madaba mosaic map that covers its floor. It is the earliest religious map of the Holy Land in any form to have survived from antiquity.

The interior of this architectural masterpiece in Jordan is decorated with elegant colonnades and various mosaics that depict the hills, valleys and villages as far as the Nile Delta. It also features two million pieces of vividly colored local stones.

Conclusion

Jordan is a country rich in history. It has been home to some of mankind's earliest settlements and contains relics of many of the world's great civilizations. With unending sightseeing destinations, Jordan is one of the most delightful countries tourists can visit. We hope the spots we've highlighted above will inspire you to plan an exciting tour of Jordan.

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