UAE Travel: Experiencing the Luxurious City of Dubai (Photos)

For UAE travel, most who have visited Dubai leave with a profound and unforgettable impression of this city of luxury. This journalist is no exception. On the morning of December 3, 2017, the journalist, along with the UAE tour group, after concluding the sightseeing of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, departed from the Novotel Abu Dhabi hotel and arrived in Dubai after a one-and-a-half-hour drive, beginning the first day's itinerary in Dubai, the city of luxury.

Sightseeing tram (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

On the bus, guides Chen Qi and Qiu Lingli alternately shared details about Dubai with the group: Located in the central Arabian Peninsula, on the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai, as the hub of the Gulf region, is the most populous city in the UAE, a modern international metropolis, and the wealthiest city in the Middle East. It is also the economic and financial center of the Middle East, known as the "trade capital" of the Middle East and North Africa.

Heading to Dubai (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Dubai faces the Indian subcontinent across the sea, borders Qatar, shares a border with Saudi Arabia, and is adjacent to Oman. Dubai's permanent population is about 2.8 million, with locals accounting for about 15%, and expatriates from over 200 countries and regions worldwide. Approximately 340,000 Chinese live in Dubai, while other expatriates come from places such as Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, etc.

Dubai waterfront scenery (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Dubai is one of the global financial centers, serving as a bridge between Eastern and Western capital markets, and also an important hub for logistics, trade, transportation, tourism, and shopping. It is home to the world's first seven-star hotel (Burj Al Arab), the world's tallest skyscraper (Burj Khalifa), the world's largest shopping mall (The Dubai Mall), and the world's largest indoor ski resort. With its vibrant real estate, events, and meetings that set nearly world records, it captures the world's attention. The World Expo 2020 will be held here.

Dubai architectural landscape (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

As we spoke, our vehicle arrived at the first scenic spot in downtown Dubai. Led by team leader Qiu Lingli and local guide Chen Qi, the journalists first went to the Dubai Light Rail Tourist Station and took a driverless tourist train to Palm Jumeirah. Looking ahead from the train, which was not very fast, two long parallel tracks extended forward, flanked by seaside buildings, with glimpses of the blue sea beyond.

Palm Jumeirah landscape graphic (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Palm Jumeirah is part of a group of four islands: the three "Palm Islands" projects—Jumeirah Palm, Alisan Palm, Deira Palm—and the World Islands. The Palm Islands are among the world's most iconic residential and tourism projects. Each island offers numerous villas and apartments for sale, adding many highly sought-after beaches to the entire emirate of Dubai. The Palm Jumeirah, built at a cost of $14 billion, is hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Planned for completion in 2012, it would be the largest man-made island in the world.

Palm Jumeirah seaside road (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Each island consists of three parts: a "trunk," "crown," and crescent-shaped breakwater. There are 12,000 palm trees planted on the island, cultivated in a nursery in Jumeirah. The entire island is a huge summer resort and amusement paradise, featuring 2,400 seaside homes capable of accommodating 5,000 people. It also has sports fields, gyms, and cinemas.

Villas on the Palm (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

During construction, Dubai used the world's only private satellite, "Ikonos," which was powerful enough to rival Russian and American military satellites, to ensure precise positioning. However, the entire construction process was still arduous. "Rainbowing" was a common method of land reclamation, but the unique palm tree shape made construction a nightmare, requiring extreme precision that would have been impossible without a global positioning system. The entire project had only two straight lines; the rest were curves. This work relied on a five-person team that walked around the island daily carrying heavy backpacks to set grid coordinates. With these coordinates, dredgers could precisely spray sand and stone.

Speedboats in the bay (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Palm Islands, located along the Persian Gulf coast of Dubai, UAE, have individual island areas ranging from 2,300 to 8,360 square meters, with at least 50 meters of seawater between neighboring islands. The original concept behind this geographic wonder was to create a miniature version of the Earth using 300 shapes that mimic the world's geographical wonders. To date, no similar project can match it.

Driverless sightseeing train (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Our light rail sightseeing train's terminus was the Atlantis Hotel on the Palm. Along the way, we enjoyed the sea views on both sides. The famous Burj Al Arab was visible on the left. After just over ten minutes, the train arrived at the terminus.

Enjoying the view from the train (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Disembarking, the group strolled along the seaside causeway to enjoy the view of the Persian Gulf. Across the road from the sea lay the magnificent Atlantis Hotel. Built at a cost of $1.5 billion, this hotel is located on the Palm Jumeirah artificial island in Dubai, UAE, covering 113 acres with 1,539 rooms, featuring architectural styles reminiscent of ancient Persia and Babylon.

Buildings along the light rail line (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Atlantis Hotel grandly opened on September 24, 2008. The most expensive suite costs $35,000 per night, with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a gold-leaf dining table seating up to 18 people, exuding luxury.

Persian Gulf sea view (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The hotel's most distinctive feature is its giant aquarium in the lobby, containing 65,000 fish. Additionally, the hotel has a dolphin pool housing over 20 bottlenose dolphins imported from the Solomon Islands. The hotel also boasts four high-end restaurants led by star chefs, a nightclub, a spa and fitness center, and a vast conference center.

Approaching the terminus (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The hotel is named after the utopian "Atlantis" described in Plato's works. Its design concept is based on the mysterious Atlantis, blending traditional Arabian design themes while retaining the landmark design elements of the Paradise Island property. It is the only sister property of the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, developed by the Kerzner Group, and is extremely luxurious in its architecture, decoration, and service.

Atlantis Hotel (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Other projects successively launched on the Palm where the hotel is located have also made the prospects for Atlantis even brighter. It is said that New York real estate tycoon and current U.S. President Donald Trump plans to build a hotel spanning the center of the Palm near Atlantis, and the ocean liner "Queen Elizabeth 2" will also be docked near Atlantis, transforming into a movable super-hotel.

Photo of the journalist in front of the hotel (Photo by Wang Jue)

After finishing the first scenic spot, the group took a minibus back to the city. The journalist noticed that the sightseeing train line to the Palm was just above them, running parallel to the underground road.

Photo by the Persian Gulf coast (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Not long after leaving the Persian Gulf coast, we arrived at Jumeirah Beach. As the bus drove along, we could see the Burj Al Arab on the seafront through the windows.

Light rail and road running parallel (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The strikingly distinctive appearance of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai earned it the name "Sail Hotel" due to its resemblance to a ship's sail. The hotel is built on an artificial island 280 meters offshore in the Persian Gulf. It is connected to the mainland by a single curving road. The hotel has 56 floors, is 321 meters tall, and features a helipad cantilevered from the building's edge at the top.

Burj Al Arab (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Guide Chen Qi introduced: The Burj Al Arab has 202 suites, all duplexes. The smallest room is 170 square meters, and the largest is the Royal Presidential Suite at 780 square meters. The smallest room costs $1,500 per night (approximately 9,773.25 RMB), while the Royal Presidential Suite costs up to $20,000 per night (approximately 130,310 RMB), making it the most luxurious hotel in the world, known as the "Pearl of the Persian Gulf."

Photo in front of the Burj Al Arab (Photo by Chen Qi)

Arriving at Jumeirah Beach, everyone enjoyed taking photos with the Burj Al Arab and the sea as a backdrop. The clear blue skies and bright sunshine of Dubai provided excellent conditions for memorable photos. The group members indulged in this activity. With lingering enjoyment, we left the Persian Gulf coast for the third stop of the first day: visiting the Dubai Museum.

Dubai Museum (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Dubai Museum is a large comprehensive museum located in Dubai, UAE, opened in 1971. It is housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787, the oldest existing building in Dubai. It was once a military fortress guarding Dubai, later expanded with an art gallery to introduce the history of the Bedouin ancestors of the Arabs.

Inner courtyard of the museum (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Speaking of Bedouins, guide Chen Qi explained: In ancient Egyptian history, the greatest threat to Egypt's eastern border, the Sinai Peninsula, came from a nomadic people from Arabia—the Bedouins. This ethnic group still persists in the Arab world today and is an important component of the modern Arab nation after Islamization.

Bedouin vendors (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The harsh natural conditions of Arabia made nomadism the most scientific way of life in the region. The Bedouin lifestyle is also the best way for humans to adapt to the desert. They engaged in herding and raiding in the vast desert. The wealthy Egypt was a primary target of their raids. To protect the safety of the quarries and mines in Sinai, the Pharaohs repeatedly launched campaigns to suppress and militarily strike the Bedouins.

Bedouin lifestyle scenes (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

On this land, many empires and dynasties rose and fell, but the Bedouins continued to live according to their traditional ways, dwelling in tents made of wool and camel hair, wandering. They have become part of the desolate desert. American scholar Philip Hitti wrote in his "History of the Arabs": "The Bedouin, the camel, and the date palm are the three rulers of all living things in the desert; add sand, and you have the four main characters of the desert."

Houses (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The daily food of Bedouins consists of dates, porridge or fried flour, with water or milk. Their clothing is as scarce as their food—usually a long shirt, a belt, and a loose, flowing robe, with a headscarf secured by a cord. Pants and shoes are rare. They have the virtue of endurance to adapt to harsh environments, but they also passively endure the environment, unwilling to change no matter how harsh it is, thus failing to elevate themselves to the status of members of an international society.

Ancient cannons (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At the entrance of the Dubai Museum's fort stand two ancient cannons. Entering Al Fahidi Fort, a large replica of an ancient sailing ship on a platform catches the eye, now the museum's symbol. In the courtyard, ancient cannons and piles of cannonballs are displayed, perhaps the weapons and ammunition of Dubai's defenders in the past. Additionally, there are several old preserved sailing ships and an ancient well. Next to the well are huts, which were the homes of ancient merchants.

Tools of production (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Entering a merchant's house, the interior is restored to its original layout, with beds and a hall. The most striking feature is the "earth air conditioner." The wind towers rising above the huts, with cross-shaped openings, can draw wind from all directions. Standing under the opening, one can feel a refreshing breeze. Exiting the ancient merchant's house and entering the underground passage of the Dubai Museum is like stepping into a time tunnel. It presents a vivid Bedouin world, with life-sized ancient markets, lifelike blacksmiths, jewelers, and tailors. The museum also has scenes like those in Hollywood studios: life-sized camels, oases, campfires, etc.

Craft shop (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Exiting the underground exhibition hall leads to a souvenir shop filled with a dazzling array of souvenirs. Visitors can browse and choose. There is definitely a small keepsake worth buying. The journalist bought a refrigerator magnet featuring the main attractions of Dubai for $3 as a souvenir.

Tasting juice (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Across the road from the back gate of the Dubai Museum is a specialty juice shop. Team leader Qiu Lingli suggested interested group members try it. The group gladly went, and indeed, the freshly squeezed juices in various flavors offered an exotic taste, earning unanimous praise from the group.

Dhow (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After the museum visit, the final activity of the first day in Dubai was taking an Arabian dhow across the Dubai Creek saltwater bay to the Gold Souk on the opposite shore. As people boarded the wooden boat and sailed on the water, the journalist noticed similar boats passing by, reminiscent of the gondolas in Venice, Italy, visited not long ago. Although different, it evoked a sense of nostalgia for the boat ride.

Arriving at the opposite shore (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After crossing, a short walk through the alleys brought us to the Gold Souk in old Dubai. It is the world's third-largest gold trading center. The entire Gold Souk is just one street, less than a kilometer long, but the sheer number of shops, the variety of gold jewelry, and the way gold is sold like vegetables are absolutely astonishing.

Entering the Gold Souk (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Strolling through the Gold Souk, surrounded by gold everywhere, one feels as if falling into a glittering treasure cave. It is truly a real-life Arabian Nights. With rows upon rows of shops, a vast array of goods, and fair and reasonable prices, the Dubai Gold Market is a paradise for jewelry lovers. Display windows showcase a dazzling collection of bracelets, necklaces, rings, diamonds, jade, rubies, sapphires, etc., exuding luxury and splendor. The gold market has thus become one of the hottest tourist attractions in the Middle East. It is especially brilliant and magnificent after nightfall.

Gold ornaments (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

December 4, 2017 – The second day of the UAE tour group's itinerary in Dubai was a visit to the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, located next to The Dubai Mall. At 11:00 AM Dubai time, the group first visited the Burj Khalifa. Originally named Burj Dubai, also known as Dubai Tower or Burj Dubai, it is the world's tallest building and man-made structure.

Burj Khalifa (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

To visit the Burj Khalifa, the journalists first entered The Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall is a commercial street developed by Emaar Properties in Dubai, UAE. The Burj Khalifa and the mall are interconnected.

In front of The Dubai Mall (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE, was once the largest mall in the Middle East before the completion of The Dubai Mall. Due to Dubai's openness and internationalization, its economic and trade development has progressed rapidly, with a dazzling variety of goods. Coupled with Dubai's unique geographical location, it has become a "shopping center" for many people from the Gulf region, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

A corner of the shopping center (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Today, The Dubai Mall covers 6.5 million square feet and has 7,000 parking spaces. It gathers world-renowned brands, surpassing many shopping centers in Europe and America. Guide Chen Qi said: It would be difficult to fully explore The Dubai Mall in less than a day. Since Dubai, like Hong Kong, is a duty-free zone, goods here are temptingly cheap.

Strolling inside the mall (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

World-famous brands are all available here, and prices are sometimes lower than in their countries of origin. From luxury watches, bags, clothing, cosmetics, shoes, sunglasses, to the latest phones and electronics, everything is available, often 40-50% cheaper than in mainland China. Additionally, the famous indoor ski resort in Dubai is located within the Mall of the Emirates. This desert miracle amazes tourists from all over the world, leaving them stunned by Dubai's audacity and luxury. Therefore, when traveling to Dubai, UAE, visiting the Mall of the Emirates for sightseeing and shopping is a must for all tourists.

World's largest aquarium (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Moving from the connected building of The Dubai Mall to the Burj Khalifa, the group lined up with tourists from around the world. After about 20 minutes, they entered the observation elevator in batches. Despite the high speed, there was no sensation of dizziness.

Photo with the two guides (Photo by Wang Jue)

The Burj Khalifa is 828 meters tall, with 162 floors, built at a cost of $1.5 billion. The construction cost of the tower itself was at least $1 billion, not including the interior of the large shopping center, lakes, and shorter surrounding towers. It broke the record of 492 meters set by the Shanghai World Financial Center.

Overlooking the interchange (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The building is equipped with 56 elevators, with speeds of up to 17.4 m/s, and double-decker observation elevators that can carry up to 42 people at a time. The group took the elevator to the observation deck, which is on the 125th floor.

Joy under the tower (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Chen Qi said: Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004. On the evening of January 4, 2010, local time, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled the monument of the "world's tallest building" – the "Burj Dubai" – announcing its completion and renaming it "Burj Khalifa." From the top of the Burj Khalifa, one can enjoy a panoramic view of Dubai.

Overlooking the city of Dubai (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After visiting the Burj Khalifa, the group had lunch at The Dubai Mall and then headed to the Dubai desert for an exciting desert safari. Among the many activities in Dubai tourism, a desert safari in the golden sands is the best way to experience Arabian culture.

Heading to the desert (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After a drive of about half an hour, we left the bustling city of Dubai and reached the heart of the desert. Here we experienced a different side of Dubai. Dozens of off-road vehicles gathered, and we rode freely through the vast desert, raising clouds of dust, truly feeling the unique charm of Arabian culture.

Desert sandboarding (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

That evening, at a camp in the desert, the group also enjoyed a wonderful Arabian-style dance performance. Various activities ranged from thrilling to relaxing to intoxicating. The second day in Dubai, UAE, left everyone with profound and beautiful memories.

Photo of desert dune bashing (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After the desert revelry, it was already nightfall with lights twinkling. Driving from the vast natural desert back to the brightly lit Dubai created a stark contrast in people's minds between the pitch-black desert and the brilliant city lights. Perhaps this is the endless charm of travel.

Evening dance at the camp (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

December 5, 2017 – The UAE tour group began the third day of its Dubai itinerary. Compared to the first two days, today's schedule was relatively relaxed. Around noon, we first went to The Dubai Mall for lunch and shopping. Visiting The Dubai Mall again, if one pays close attention, one can feel a deep sense of luxury; yet the mall, while displaying grandeur, also incorporates exquisite details, which is its unique charm.

Returning to Dubai at night (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At noon, the journalist had grilled lobster, steak, and fish set meal at a lobster restaurant in The Dubai Mall, costing 274 dirhams (approximately 493 RMB). The steak was medium-well, and the two lobsters were delicious. It was quite satisfying. I wonder if this price could get the same in Beijing.

Dubai Musical Fountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The journalist particularly enjoys capturing dynamic moments of people. While resting at The Dubai Mall, the journalist used the camera to capture a series of candid shots. These images, from different angles, depict the diverse expressions of shoppers, reflecting local customs and real slices of life. At 3:00 PM, the minibus picked us up from The Dubai Mall and took us to the Dubai Marina pier to take a yacht cruise on the Persian Gulf.

Shoppers (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

In Dubai, some luxury private yachts have sleek hulls and comfortable outdoor leather sofas, offering free soft drinks and mineral water on board. Renting a luxury yacht for a sea tour or deep-sea fishing is a popular choice for many visitors.

Photo on the yacht (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The yacht our group took for the Persian Gulf cruise, though not extremely luxurious, was sufficient for a leisurely sea trip. Especially when the group sat on the deck with Dubai's skyscrapers as the background, they could take stylish portraits. The yacht sailed in a large loop, riding the wind and waves, with laughter and joy, traversing the Arabian coastline, offering an immensely pleasant experience.

Cruising the Persian Gulf (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Our yacht departed from the pier, and we enjoyed the various unique shapes of the high-rises on both sides along the way. Shortly after leaving the harbor, a flock of seagulls chased the yacht. Following team leader Qiu Lingli's pre-departure advice, everyone tore bread into pieces and threw them into the air. The crumbs immediately attracted more seagulls, who vied to snatch the food in mid-air, continuing to chase the yacht for quite a while until the food was gone and they slowly dispersed.

Burj Al Arab at sunset (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After about an hour's journey, the yacht arrived at the Burj Al Arab. By then, it was nearly dusk. The sunlight shone on the hotel, draping the Burj Al Arab in a golden coat, making the sunset view of the hotel even more magnificent. When everyone started the cruise from Dubai on the Persian Gulf, the sun was still shining brightly, but by the time we returned, the city was aglow with lights.

Sunset over the Persian Gulf (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

As we were about to enter the harbor, the journalist suddenly noticed a crane lifting a huge basket high in the air. Team leader Qiu Lingli explained that people were enjoying a "dinner in the sky," a unique way to dine aloft while admiring the bay's night scenery. It seems the locals' creativity for enjoyment has been pushed to the extreme.

Night view of the harbor (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

When our yacht slowly returned to the harbor, everyone couldn't help but marvel at the unique charm of the beautiful Persian Gulf nightscape. It was a visual feast difficult to describe in words. The three-day panoramic tour of Dubai was truly unforgettable... (Text and photos by Feng Ganyong)