Embassy Suites Hotel

Great portal for indepth information

by JessH

Sharjah is very different from Dubai - so when you're fed-up with trawling around monstrious shopping malls and sipping fancy coffees in 5-star hotel lobbies, it's time to head North to the emirate of Sharjah.

For a comprehensive map, use this link: http://www.sharjah-welcome.com/sharjah_map.pdf Some of Sharjah's most well-known sights are:

> Sharjah Blue Souk (central market).
> Discovery Centre (near airport).
> Natural History Museum.
> Sharjah Art Museum.
> Arabian Wildlife Centre.
> Sharjah University City.
> Sharjah Grand Mosque.
> Al Hisn Fort.
> Al Qasba & the "Eye of the Emirates" (ferris wheel)

Visit the website of the Sharjah Tourism Board for more details:
http://www.sharjah-welcome.com/

UPDATE July 2007: The Tourism Board has recently launched a toll-free number, for both visitors & residents alike to call and obtain everything and anything you need to know about Sharjah: sights, events, customs, accomodation, etc.
CALL 800-SHARJAH (800-7427524)

the union monument

by call_me_rhia

The union monument is a monument dedicated to the "union" of the seven sovreign emirates into a the United Arab Emirates. The most prominent part os the central pillar, but what symbolizes this union is at its base: the sculpures of seven oysters with a pearl inside.

Each oyster represent an emirate, and it was chosen because, traditionally (meaning: pre-oil), it used to be the area's main "business". The union is symbolized by the golden crown at the top of the pillar.

Al Noor Mosque

by Kuznetsov_Sergey

Al Noor Mosque or Masjid Al-Noor is situated alongside the corniche of King Khaled Lake.
It is a copy of the "Blue Masjid" in Istanbul and Masjid Mohammad Ali Pasha, Salah Ad-Dine Al-Ayoubi Citadel in Cairo.

One exception: the "Blue Mosque" has 6 minarets, but the Mosques in Cairo and Sharjah have traditionally only 2 minarets each.
It has been constructed to commemorate Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi - the Emir of Sharjah's eldest son. We have been told that he died of a heroin overdose in England.

Sharjah

by chizz

"Sharjah"

Just a short 20 minute drive away from Dubai (traffic permitting), the adjoining emirate of Sharjah has many places to visit, although you might not see it as a tourist destination at first glance.
Our first stop was the Heritage Area near the Corniche where we visited: Sharjah Heritage Museum, Khalid Bin Ibrahim House, Calligraphy Museum, Al Naboodah House, El Eslah School Museum and the Hisn Fort.
From here we drove to Al Mahatta Museum in the centre and took a ride on the Eye of the Emirates at Qanat Al Qasba.