United Arab Emirates profound traditions
Dubai is the United Arab Emirates’ vacation hot spot. It is famous for modern sightseeing attractions but this city has many cultural highlights as well as all the glamorous modern add-ons.Dubai’s landmark building is the Burj Khalifa, which at 829.8 m is the tallest building in the world. A trip to the observation deck on the 124th floor here is a must-do while in the city.
Back on the ground are the building’s beautifully designed gardens including the Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.
Dubai’s excellent museum is housed in the Al-Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to defend Dubai Creek.
The Bastakia Quarter was built in the late 19th century to be the home of wealthy Persian merchants who dealt mainly in pearls and textiles, and were lured to Dubai because of the tax-free trading and access to Dubai Creek.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum was the Ruler of Dubai from 1921 to 1958 and grandfather to the current ruler. His former residence has been rebuilt and restored as a museum that is a fine example of Arabian architecture.
Dubai Creek separates the city into two towns with Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. The creek has been an influential element in the city’s growth, first attracting settlers here to fish and pearl dive.
Jumeirah Mosque is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Dubai’s mosques. An exact copy of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque that is eight times its size.
Deira is most famous for its traditional souks (markets), which bustle with shoppers at all times of the day. Deira Gold Souq is world-renowned as the largest gold bazaar in the world and the reason that Dubai has received the name “City of Gold”.
The Bastakia Mosque may not be the largest or most glitzy mosque in the United Arab Emirates but it has to be one of the most photogenic. This lovely little mosque has exquisite work detailing made more beautiful by the blindingly white facade.
