<p><strong>One of the new Mashair Railway light-rail trains runs in Mecca, <a id="iieg" title="Saudia Arabia" href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/saudi-arabia-guide/?source=A-to-Z">Saudia Arabia</a>, the holiest city of Islam, in early November. The 11-mile (18-kilometer) railway will transport some of the millions of pilgrims who travel to Islamic holy sites during the annual four-day hajj. <br></strong></p><p>The train is open only to Saudi Arabians and other Persian Gulf-state nationals until the system becomes fully operational next year, according to the Associated Press. (See <a id="nv6o" title="pictures: &quot;Inside Mecca.&quot;" href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/10/photogalleries/InsideMecca/">pictures: "Inside Mecca."</a>)</p><p>Saudi officials hope the Chinese-built train—also called the Mecca Metro—will ease crowding among the roughly 2.5 million worshipers who make the Mecca pilgrimage in any given year, the AP reported.</p><p>Part of a ten-year modernization plan for the ancient city, the railway will be joined by modern communication technology, green initiatives, and other urban-planning improvements, Mecca Mayor Ossama al-Bar told the AP.</p><p>—<em>Korena Di Roma</em></p>

Mecca Metro

One of the new Mashair Railway light-rail trains runs in Mecca, Saudia Arabia, the holiest city of Islam, in early November. The 11-mile (18-kilometer) railway will transport some of the millions of pilgrims who travel to Islamic holy sites during the annual four-day hajj.

The train is open only to Saudi Arabians and other Persian Gulf-state nationals until the system becomes fully operational next year, according to the Associated Press. (See pictures: "Inside Mecca.")

Saudi officials hope the Chinese-built train—also called the Mecca Metro—will ease crowding among the roughly 2.5 million worshipers who make the Mecca pilgrimage in any given year, the AP reported.

Part of a ten-year modernization plan for the ancient city, the railway will be joined by modern communication technology, green initiatives, and other urban-planning improvements, Mecca Mayor Ossama al-Bar told the AP.

Korena Di Roma

Photograph by Amer Hilabi, AFP/Getty Images

Pictures: Bright New Mecca Train Ferries Hajj Pilgrims

New lime green light-rail trains launched in early November transport Muslim pilgrims to Mecca and other holy sites during the annual hajj.

Read This Next

How living near a railroad can harm your health
An unprecedented look inside Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock
These 5 destinations are among the holiest sites in Islam

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet