The Tree of Life

In the barren desert of southern Bahrain, far from any visible source of water, stands one of the island's most curious and beloved landmarks, the Tree of Life. This solitary, sprawling mesquite tree, reckoned to be several centuries old, flourishes green and alive in the midst of an empty, arid landscape, its survival a long-standing mystery that has given rise to local legends, including the idea that it marks the site of the biblical Garden of Eden. Standing alone against the desert and sky, drawing its water from deep, unseen sources, the tree is a striking, atmospheric and photogenic symbol of resilience and endurance.

What you actually see

• The lone tree - the solitary, ancient green tree in the desert.
• The desert setting - the vast, empty arid landscape around it.
• The mystery - the enigma of its survival without water.
• The sunset - the tree silhouetted against the desert sky.

When to go

November to March, the cool season, for a comfortable visit, as the desert is scorching in summer; the tree is at its most atmospheric and photogenic in the golden light of late afternoon and at sunset, silhouetted against the sky. It is reached by a drive into the southern desert.

Honest expectations

It is, in the end, a single tree in the desert, so it is a brief, curiosity-driven stop rather than a major attraction, and the surrounding area near industrial and drilling sites can detract from the sense of isolation; the famous mystery of its survival is likely explained by deep groundwater. As a genuinely striking, atmospheric and enigmatic natural landmark, though, a lone ancient tree thriving against the odds in the empty desert, it is a memorable and uniquely Bahraini sight, especially at sunset.

Nearby

The southern desert, the Manama sites and the causeway to Saudi Arabia are beyond.