Dubai combines two cities, Dubai and Deira. They are divided
by the Creek and they are a paradise for sightseeing with their
unique characters. You will be amazed at the diversity of architecture
and cultures that this city emcompasses, ranging from traditional
Arab houses to magnificent modern towers of steel and glass.
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you can be at while in Dubai are: |
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Aerogulf Services |
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Aerogulf
Services is located at Dubai International Airport, United
Arab Emirates and in as November 2003 Aerogulf moved into
our new purpose built helicopter operations and maintenance
facility located on Dubai International Airport, United
Arab Emirates (UAE).
Contact Aerogulf Services - Tel: 2200331
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Al Boom Tourist Village |
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Adjacent
to Creekside Park, the village consists of a 2,000 seat banquet
hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental
lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Its traditional
architecture forms a stately city landmark. Located next to
Wonderland Family Fun Park. It is open 7 days. Timings: 9am-1am.
Entertainment includes evening boat cruises with dinner served.
Contact Al Boom Tourist Village - Tel: 3243000
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Archaeological Sites |
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There
are three main archaeological sites in Dubai. They are located
in Al Ghusals, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. Al Ghusals and Al Sufooh
have over 2000 years old graveyards. You can visit the excavation
sites at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah where you will
find artifacts from the 7th to 15th century.
Contact Off Road Adventures - Tel: 04 3432288
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Bait Al Wakeel |
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Built
in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel was Dubai's
first office building. At the edge of the Creek near the abra
landing, the building has been completely restored and now
houses a museum devoted to Dubai's fishing and maritime traditions.
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Bastakiya |
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The
old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers
gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the
east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional
courtyard houses with windtowers.
In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers
which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely
decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in
the days before electricity.
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Bedouin Village |
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Some
local tour operators offer the opportunity to visit Bedouin
village outside Dubai. This provides an experience of the
traditional desert way of life and may include camel-riding
lessons. Those who want a desert safari experience with a
difference may choose to stay at Al Maha, a unique luxury
resort set in 3,300 acres of dunes off the highway between
blankets, rugs, beads and a variety of other rural wares spread
on the ground. Owners urge jockeys on to the finish line while
trainers speedily follow the races in fourwheel drives which
plough through the dust of the inside track. The atmosphere
is contagious!
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Burj Nahar |
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Burj
Nahar Built around 1870, the Nahar Tower was one in the line
of defences to the east and north of the city. One of the
three watchtowers guarding the old city, the restored Burj
Nahar with its picturesque gardens in Deira is quite a popular
spot for photography.
Contact Travelogue Tourism- Tel: 04 3550660
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Deira Covered Souk (District) |
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This
souk specialises in textiles and is located in the Al Sabkha
Bus station area, Dubai
This is one of the main souks in Dubai and is well worth a
wander and a barter.
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Dubai Creek |
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The
Creek is lined by dhows and offers a picturesque glimpse of
Dubai's trading heritage. It can crossed by 'abra' (water
taxi) and tour operators offer day or night cruises.
Contact Creek Cruises - Tel: 04 3939860
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Dubai Museum |
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Al
Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing
building. It once guarded the city's landlord approaches.
Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison
and prison.
It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum; further restoration
and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995. Colorful
and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures
and sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday
life in pre-oil days. Galleries rescenes from the Creek,
traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens,
desert and marine life. One of the most spectacular exhibits
portrays the underwater world of pearl-diving, and is accompanied
by sets of pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves.
Also on display are artifacts such as fine copper, alabaster
and pottery objects found in 3,000-4,000 year-old graves
at Al Ghusais. The main fort is a fascinating military museum.
Contact Timing Open daily from 8.30am - 8.30pm
except Fridays: 3pm-8.30pm;
Tel: 3531862
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Dubai World Trade Centre |
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The
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was established to stimulate
trade and commerce in the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Over
the past two decades, the DWTC has become a symbol of economic
growth and prosperity in the Middle East. It undertakes three
core activities: organizing exhibitions, providing hospitality
services and property leasing.
From humble beginning in 1979 to being a state-of-the-art
complex today, the DWTC has recorded remarkable growth in
all areas of its core activities. The Complex includes a
39-storey office tower, 492 serviced residential apartments
with a sports club, seven international standard interconnected
and purpose built exhibition halls, a 200-seat theatre,
a congress center and a private member's business club.
Contact Tel: 04 3321000
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Gold Souk |
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Dubai
boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world,
selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery
at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of
smaller shops with glittering show windows.
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Grand Mosque |
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Situated
on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court,
Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 metres,
the city's tallest minaret. It has 45 small domes in addition
to nine large ones boasting stained glass panels, making it
a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.
Address Al Mussalla Road (near Ruler's Court)
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Hatta |
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In
the foothills of the majestic Hajjar mountains, Hatta is a
comfortable resort, ideal for a weekend getaway. The historic
Hatta fort overlooks the town. The area is a much frequented
picnic spot, and is about one hour drive from Dubai.
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Hatta Mountains |
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From
Jurassic Park to Hatta in one swoop. Larger than life: The
30 metre long Dinosaur dwarfed by the Hatta Mountains. Stairs
under its tail will lead to a room built in its stomach where
replics of the stone Age will be kept.
A white prancing horse adorns a hill on top at the farm.
Visitors to the farm are greeted by a cannon. The driveway,
internal roads and walkways are made of stone with pictures
created from different coloured stones.
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Heritage and Diving Village |
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A
traditional heritage village, located in the Shindagah area
has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts.
The Diving village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn
the entire area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life
in Dubai as it was in days gone by. Located near the mouth
of the creek, this area is also popular in the evenings as
a venue for its open-air cafeterias and live entertainment.
Several shops also sell handicrafts. No entrance fees.
Contact Tel: 04 3937151
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Jumeirah Mosque |
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Located
on Al Jumeira Road this mosque, one of the most beautiful
of all, and a fine example of modern Islamic architecture.
The beauty of the mosque, the city's largest, is seen at its
very best particularly when floodlit after sundown, when the
subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief. The mosque
is one of the most visited and photographed sights. Tours
are at 10am every Sunday and Thursday mornings. For tour information,
contact the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding,
which is open 8am - 3pm, Sat-Wed.
Contact Tel: 04 3447755
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Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)
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Port
Rashid, Dubai
Shaikh Saeed was the grandfather of the present ruler and
his house has been restored as a museum. Dating from the
late 1800s, Sheikh Saeed's House was built in a commanding
position near the sea so the Ruler could observe shipping
activity from its balconies. With its windtowers and layers
of rooms built around a central courtyard, it is a fine
example of regional architecture. An ambitious restoration
project has returned the house to its former glory and makes
it a showcase for the history and development of Dubai.
Sheikh Saeed's house can be visited as part of the Big Bus
Company's tour of Dubai. The ticket price of Dhs 75 includes
the entrance to Sheikh Saeed's House and Dubai museum as
well.
Contact Tel: 04 3937139
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Shindagha |
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At
the mouth of the Creek, Shindagha is the original site from
which Dubai grew. Sheikh Saeed's house, the former home of
the ruling Maktoum family, has been carefully restored here.
Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm, except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm.
Timings: Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm except Fridays:
3pm - 8:30pm
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Spice Souk |
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The
narrow lanes of the spice souk are redolent with cloves, cardamom,
cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Imported from all
over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks
that surround the shop keepers. |
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