Wadi Rum, Jordan

© Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Image

Sunset on the Valley of the Moon. Star Wars Day

This otherworldly desert landscape might look familiar to Star Wars fans. Wadi Rum, aka Valley of the Moon, in southern Jordan, stood in for the moon Jedha in Rogue One, and for the planet Pasaana in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This desolate landscape was a good fit to create an alien world.

Wadi Rum ('wadi' means 'valley' in Arabic) is the largest valley in Jordan, cut through sandstone and granite formations. A Unesco World Heritage protected area, Wadi Rum is singled out for its ancient rock carvings and archaeological remains. Various human cultures have lived in this valley since prehistoric times.

Today, the valley is one of the most popular destinations in Jordan, particularly for rock climbers and hikers. Summer temperatures can be toasty, but this being the desert, temperatures cool considerably at night. The Zalabieh tribe of Bedouins call the valley home and act as guides for tourists, coordinating activities like camel rides, horseback rides and camping. A major coastal city, Aqaba, is less than 40 miles away, so if you’d like to visit Wadi Rum, put away your hyperdrive - you don’t have to leave the galaxy. And on Star Wars Day, 4 May, may the force be with you!