Special Features
Places of Interest
The city of Dubai frames its namesake creek, dividing sightseeing into two halves. Gleaming skyscrapers dot the skyline offering stunning views from many points along the creek, but there is also the traditional bustle of the old trading dhows that plow their way up and down the water as they did a century ago. Another good way to get an idea of the layout of Dubai is from the observation deck of the World Trade Centre; rising 39 floors, it provides an excellent perspective of the city. The towers viewing deck is a favourite of photographers, but can only be visited as part of a guided tour. The striking 51-storey Emirates Towers situated on the Sheikh Zayed Road is a staggering piece of architecture and design that should be included in every visitor’s itinerary. It offers an incomparable vista, not only on a clear day or at night, but even on a foggy morning when the tops of the surrounding skyscrapers loom out of the clouds.The Deira side of Dubai Creek is currently in the midst of a major redevelopment, which includes a waterfront promenade. Already on the Bur Dubai side, between the Maktoum and Garhoud bridges, the Creekside Park provides a number of gentle walks that meander through landscaped gardens. At the inland end of the creek is a large, shallow lagoon, which has been spared from developers and preserved as a wildlife sanctuary. It is a haven for migrating shore birds with around 27,000 birds spotted during autumn migration, including Greater Flamingos, which have now started to make the creek their home.
Away from the city centre is Jumeirah Beach with its string of luxury hotels crowned by the world’s tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The shape of this distinctive icon of Dubai mimics the full spinnaker of a sailing dhow and the white surface of the ‘sail’ is lit with coloured lights in the evening. Jumeirah beach is the location of the new Emirates Hills complex and the Dubai Marina, a network of hotels, offices, villas and apartments amongst picturesque water gardens and canals. Also underway is the Palm Island project off the Jebel Ali coastline, which will create a haven of holiday villas and hotels along palm-shaped promontories fringed with the characteristic fine, yellow sand of the region.
A Taste of the City Bastakiya In the days before electricity and air conditioning, Dubai Creek was lined by a mass of wind towers that kept the local houses cool through an ingenious employment of air currents. The Bastakiya district is a step back in time, laden as it is with traditional courtyard houses, bedecked with these uniquely Arabian wind towers. Bastakiya has been earmarked for tourist development, with the construction of a museum, cultural centre, restaurant and an art gallery that showcases local talent. It is located east of Dubai souk on Al Fahidi Street.
Dubai Museum The building that houses the Dubai Museum, Al Fahidi Fort, on Al Fahidi Street, is an attraction in itself. A historic fort that dates back as far as 1799 was converted into the museum in 1970. The exhibits range from military relics to pearl diving outfits. Some of the most fascinating exhibits are those recovered from the 3,000-4,000-year-old graves at Al Ghusais.
Grand Mosque The Grand Mosque was rebuilt in 1998 and boasts the citys tallest minaret at 70 metres (231feet). Tucked on the Bur Dubai side of the creek near the Rulers Court, the Grand Mosque consists of nine large domes and 45 smaller ones. This huge religious edifice can house up to 1,200 worshippers.
Heritage Village The recently opened Heritage Village, near Shindagha Tunnel on Al Shindagha Road, is a project that weaves in some local colour among Dubai’s rapidly developing twenty-first century skyline. The emphasis is on recreating the Bedouin way of life, with locals dressed in traditional garb enacting age-old songs and dances. Local handicrafts are also available to buy.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab (Arab Tower) There
