United Arab Emirates Tourist Traps

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Spend a couple of hours driving around Dubai and you will find that it is a bustling modern city with few old buildings and historical sites. However, a great effort is being made to preserve and restore the traditional Arabic heritage and the city has a variety of attractions, both new and old, that are worth visiting.

Dubai grew and developed around the Creek which acted as a focal point for the city. This area remains a main centre of activity with contrasting lifestyles, new and old, side by side and we suggest that any visit to Dubai starts here.

The following list of attractions is by no means exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the rest of the book, in particular we suggest:

Abra Creek Crossing
06:00 - 24:00
Both Sides Bur Dubai / Deira

From the Textile Souk area across the Creek to the Al Seef Road part of Bur Dubai takes five minutes by water taxi. Known locally as an 'abra', these basic wooden boats seat about 30 people and are used by ordinary workers as a cheap method of transportation. 50 fils will get you from one side of the Creek to the other.

For Dhs.30-50, however, you can hire the boat and driver for a short river tour of about half an hour for you and your guests alone. Don't forget to agree on the price before boarding. The steps to the Creek are steep, so be careful not to lose your balance while stepping across to your boat, then sit on the low deck to enjoy the view of Dubai by water.

Bastakiya
Nr Diwan - Bastakiya
Bur Dubai

This older part of the town has been restored in many parts. Here you can view one of the earliest forms of air conditioning in the shape of windtowers, which were built to catch the slightest of breezes and funnel them down into the courtyard houses still found here. Amble down alleyways, step into two converted houses which now house art galleries and picture yourself living in a bygone era.

Dubai Creek Waterfront
Nr Inter-Continental, Deira

To get a real feel of old and new Dubai side by side, take a stroll along the Creek to experience the hustle and bustle of a myriad of wooden dhows (traditional boats), unloading their cargoes. Marvel at the trust that is evident from the piles of goods on the wharfage and take in the incongruous sight of fruit, vegetables, electronics and even cars being offloaded from the same vessel. A real visual treat and photo opportunity!

Traditionally the dhow captains would bargain in the souks near the creek with the Arab merchants for the contents of their journeys. The goods, often spices, porcelain or cloths would then be sent further up the coast or taken inland by camel train. Trade is a very traditional, as well as a modern, part of Dubai.

Dubai Town Walk
Whilst the layout of the roads and the heat, especially in summer, do not make Dubai the easiest city to explore by foot, there are many areas that are well worth the effort of walking around. In particular these include the souk areas of both Bur Dubai and Deira, near the Creek, which can be combined with an atmospheric abra (water taxi) crossing.

A useful aid is the Dubai Town Walk Map that outlines two routes, one on either side of the Creek. Availability is limited, but the guide can still be bought at Dubai International Arts Centre or Profiles in Markaz Al Jumeirah and Jumeirah Plaza for about Dhs.5.

Dhow Building Yard
Daytime
Nr Garhoud Bridge Bur Dubai

Located between Jaddaf and the Garhoud Bridge on Dubai's Creek, the dhow building yard is a fascinating insight into the origins of the wooden dhows that are still widely used for trade throughout the region. The word 'dhow' is not Arabic, but is a term commonly used throughout the area and further east. It is thought that the term originally referred to a wooden warship that was powered by sail. Nowadays most dhows are used for trade and vessels are able to carry about 250 tons of cargo.

Visiting the yard is a bit pot luck; depending on when you go there may be building in progress or just a stockpile of teakwood. But if you are lucky, you will see that little has changed in this age-old craft and some of the building methods look positively medieval!

A traditional dhow takes months to build, but once finished, can last for over a century. In the past, teak was imported from India and the planks moulded and shaped to form the distinctive high bowed vessel. Planks are still secured by locally made wooden nails and the gaps in the wood filled with rolled cotton, which is hammered tightly into place. The whole boat is then oiled to waterproof it and to preserve the wood. Life on the dhows was incredibly basic a hundred years ago, but even modern additions like diesel engines, satellite and radio do not disguise the harshness of life at sea in these vessels.

Pearling was a traditional activity, bringing considerable wealth to the region, most especially to the Emirate of Sharjah further along the coast. Pearling was done from a 'Sambuk', a light wooden boat, with a shallow draught and powered by sail. Nowadays these are commonly used for local fishing.

Dubai Zoo
10:00 - 18:30
Jumeira Beach Rd, Jumeira

It used to be a private collection of animals in a large garden but Dubai Zoo is now owned by the Municipality who charge Dhs.3 per person for admittance. An old fashioned type of zoo with caged lions, tigers, giraffe, monkeys, deer, snakes, bears, flamingos, giant tortoise and other animals which are well looked after by Dr Rezi Khan, a dedicated manager, and his well trained staff. Space is tight for the animals but plans are underway to move the entire zoo to Mushrif Park near the airport. At the time of going to press no date for this has been finalised.

Landmark Buildings

Dubai has few buildings that are more than 30-40 years old, however, the modern city has been built with a fine eye for the dramatic and the unique. There are a variety of buildings that stand out from the rest, for reasons as diverse as a nice view or an architectural first. The following are some of the more interesting.

Chamber of Commerce / Dubai National Bank

These two tall glass buildings stand on the Deira edge of the Creek and help create a skyline that is distinctive and unique. For the best view of the contrast of ancient trading dhows moored in front of modern Dubai, try to be on the opposite side of the Creek at dusk (near The British Embassy). As the sun sets it creates dramatic reflections in the glass and water .

Jumeira Mosque

Turn on your television set in the evening and this will be one of the mosques shown during the call to prayer. It is a beautiful and creative piece of architecture, built in a distinctive creamy/pink stone with minarets, arches and sculptured details. Definitely worth viewing at night when it is lit up .

Iranian Mosque

Another distinctive and beautiful mosque, with colourful tiles, arches and pillars, it is found on Al Wasl Road.

Dubai World Trade Centre

This 39 storey tower was once the tallest building in Dubai and still remains a distinctive point on the skyline, although in appearance it is very '60's and looks dated, especially when contrasted with more modern buildings. There is a large exhibition and conference centre here. For a great view, try the guided tour to the observation deck, leaving at 09:30 and 16:00 from the information desk in the lobby and costing Dhs.5.

Emirates Training Centre

Cross by car over Garhoud Bridge to the Deira side of the Creek and this training centre, which is home to the national airline, will amuse and delight. It is built, most appropriately, as the front half of an aircraft!.

Clock Tower Roundaboutt

To compliment the excellent road network (but not as a tribute to the standard of driving!), roundabouts throughout the Emirates are usually heavily decorated, often with an Arabic theme. Clock Tower is one of the oldest roundabouts and, as well as being a useful landmark for visitors to get their bearings, could make for a good photo opportunity!.

Emirates Golf Club Creek Golf & Yacht Club t

Set amongst acres of landscaped greenery, these two golf clubs boast imaginative and unusual clubhouses, as well as being quiet retreats from the bustle of the city. The Creek club chooses the image of dhow sails on which to base the architecture of its clubhouse, while the other chooses Bedouin tents. At both clubs, non-members are welcome to visit the clubhouse.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel & Tower t

Each new hotel in Dubai seems to go one step further in finding a design that sets it apart from the rest and this hotel succeeds effortlessly. In particular, The Tower is unique; it is built on a specially constructed island just off the coast and at 321 metres is, presently, the tallest hotel building in the world - the Dubai World Trade Centre fits into its atrium!.

United Arab Emirates Tourist Traps

Visiting United Arab Emirates?

Visiting United Arab Emirates?