Jordan - An Unforgettable Travel Memory
Before planning my year-end trip, my impression of Jordan was quite vague. I thought it would be a wealthy Middle Eastern country, but as I started researching, I gradually learned more. During the six-day self-driving trip, I deeply felt its hardships and resilience.
First, Jordan's economic development level is relatively low. I was even a bit shocked in the capital, Amman, but the locals are friendly, the country is relatively stable, and the education level is good. In fact, its tourism resources are excellent, with UNESCO World Heritage site Petra, the lowest point on earth—the Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum, which looks most like Mars... Unfortunately, tourism has been severely impacted in recent years due to neighboring conflicts. I hope for more peace in the world so that ordinary hardworking people can have more opportunities 🙏
1️⃣ Amman feels more like a transit stopover destination, with a cityscape of highs and lows similar to Chongqing. We spent half a day driving around, mainly visiting the Citadel, a typical route. From above, the Byzantine-era Roman Theater and ordinary residential areas are separated by just a wall, which is quite spectacular.
🏨 DoubleTree by Hilton, a good transitional night stay with great value
2️⃣ It takes about 1 hour from Amman to the Dead Sea, where we stayed for two days. 🏨 Kempinski is probably the best hotel at the Dead Sea, offering a great resort vibe.
3️⃣ The drive from the Dead Sea to Petra takes about 3 hours. We stayed in Petra for two and a half days (arriving in the afternoon and leaving the next day at noon), entering Petra twice. Since we arrived in the afternoon on the first day, we took the shuttle directly to and from the Treasury, then hiked to and from the Monastery. The next day, we returned to the Treasury and the Royal Tombs and walked out via the Snake Path.
🏨 Marriott Petra has decent facilities; service and breakfast are below Marriott’s average but still acceptable.
4️⃣ From Petra to Wadi Rum is about 1.5 hours. We arrived in Wadi Rum in the afternoon and left at noon.
🏨 Luxotel Bubble is considered the best bubble hotel in Wadi Rum, with facilities providing maximum comfort. Half board included, and surprisingly, the food was decent. In winter, running two air conditioners at night is too dry, so I turned one off and it was still acceptable. But if I had to choose again, I would prefer to do a Jeep tour and then drive 1 hour to stay in Aqaba.
5️⃣ After a 1-hour drive, we reached Aqaba, the first time visiting the Red Sea area, experiencing the Red Sea resort atmosphere. After lunch, we drove 4 hours back to Amman, and flew out the next day.
🏨 Back at the DoubleTree, a familiar brand always brings a sense of security.
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Overall, Jordan is amazing. Whether it’s the civilization carved into the rocks or the untamed natural wilderness that has never been conquered, it is a precious memory from my 2025-2026 New Year trip. I would recommend Jordan travel to any of my friends.