The canyon of Wadi Tayyib Al-Ism in northwestern Saudi Arabia is part of the area that will become Neom. Saudis believe that Moses landed here when he crossed over the sea from Egypt.
Photographer: Vivian Nereim/BloombergSaudi Prince’s Megacity Shows Signs of Life
It’s been two years since Mohammed bin Salman announced his $500 billion project. Now the construction begins.
The walls are covered with graffiti in the sleepy fishing village of Khurayba. There are supplications to God, advertisements for vacation rentals and house painters. Near the local school, there’s a scribbled plea: “Open the windows of hope and drive out the despair.”
It’s here in northwest Saudi Arabia that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants investors to put their money to realize his $500 billion vision for the region. Called “Neom,” it promises to be the most freewheeling part of the kingdom, with state-of-the-art resorts and smart technologies run by robots.