UAE Travel: A Glimpse of Sharjah Emirate (Photos)
The final leg of the tour group accompanying the journalist on the UAE journey was a sightseeing trip to the Emirate of Sharjah. On December 6, 2017, the journalist joined the group on the last day of the itinerary. At 11:30 Dubai time, the group departed from their hotel, the Dubai Country Club, and drove to the Emirate of Sharjah.
Sharjah Seaside (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
En route, Chen Qi introduced the relevant information about Sharjah: Sharjah is the third-largest emirate in the UAE, covering an area of 2,600 square kilometers, accounting for 3.3% of the country's total area. Sharjah borders the Arabian Gulf to the west, the Gulf of Oman to the east, and shares borders with several other emirates. Its population is 636,000 (2004), representing 16% of the national population.
Sharjah Street View (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The current ruler of Sharjah is Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, and the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler is Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi. Sharjah is considered the cultural capital of the UAE and the Gulf region. From the urban construction of Sharjah, one can sense its strong cultural atmosphere.
A Corner of Sharjah (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Sharjah was one of the earliest emirates to scientifically plan comprehensive economic and cultural development. Its key industries include construction, trade, tourism, culture, and services, to adapt to future economic, social, and cultural changes. Sharjah is the political, economic, and cultural center of the UAE, and the seat of the royal family and major government departments. Various cultural and educational landmarks standing solemnly across Sharjah's territory outline the profile of a modern city that retains traditional values.
Royal Mosque (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
In addition, oil revenue is one of Sharjah's economic sources. Oil was first extracted in Sharjah in 1974, with a daily output maintained at 40,000 barrels. The industry mainly includes food processing, textiles, plastics, glass, and petrochemicals. Shipping has long made Sharjah a tourist city, with many hotels and large traditional markets along the beautiful coastline, especially the famous Gold Center and the centrally located train-shaped souk, attracting many tourists for sightseeing and shopping.
Sharjah Parliament Building (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Sharjah City is a 9-kilometer drive from Dubai. After less than half an hour, the group's vehicle entered Sharjah, first arriving at the Quran Monument Square. Sharjah is a renowned cultural city in the Middle East, and the Quran Monument Square is its cultural center. After getting off the bus, the group saw in the garden of the square a giant sculpture of an open book—the Quran Monument.
Quran Monument (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The Quran Square, also known as Cultural Square, is famous for the giant Quran sculpture in its center. It is said that the original sculpture was a bull, but because polytheistic tourists worshiped it, the Sharjah government removed the original and erected an open Quran.
Ruler's Office Building (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Surrounding this circular square are several important buildings of the Sharjah Emirate. They were built to commemorate the signing of the unification agreement by the seven emirates when the UAE was founded. The white building behind the Quran Monument is the Ruler's Office; on the left is the King Faisal Royal Mosque; on the right is the Cultural Palace; and on the other side is the Parliament Center's assembly hall, as well as an observatory.
Sharjah Cultural Palace (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The King Faisal Mosque covers an area of 150,000 square meters, accommodating 15,500 Muslims for prayer in a 38,300-square-meter area. It consists of multiple floors: the ground and first floors are reserved for men; the second floor houses the Sharjah Endowment Department office and a library with over 7,000 books and important Islamic historical documents as well as science, literature, and culture-related books. The basement is a mosque for women, also with a dedicated library.
Sharjah Observatory (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
During this period of sightseeing in the UAE, the group felt relaxed every day, not having to wake up too early to rush. There was ample time to tour each destination. Today's trip to Sharjah was especially relaxed. Everyone strolled leisurely, slowly experiencing the local customs, culture, and ambiance.
Sharjah Residence (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Leaving the Quran Square, the group headed to a museum. Chen Qi introduced: Sharjah has nine museums, such as the newly built Art Museum, Science Museum, Children's Activity Center, Natural History Museum, Archaeological Museum, and Islamic Museum. They are all great places to gain knowledge, learn about history and science, and cultivate one's mind. Sharjah also has many schools and training centers, including the American University of Sharjah, Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah Ladies Club, rehabilitation centers for the disabled, and training schools.
Folklore Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The site we visited was an old house with a 150-year history in Sharjah—the Al Naboodah House, a mansion of a wealthy Arab family. It is similar to a Chinese courtyard house, with two floors. The construction used local materials, such as seashells and sand from the beach. Here one can also see the decoration of the owner's room and learn about Arab life. It displays furniture and tools used by Arabs at that time, allowing visitors to better understand their way of life.
Museum Exhibition Room (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Unfortunately, it was under renovation, so only a school and a small folklore museum were open. From some exhibits and documents, one could get a glimpse of the historical life of Arabs in Sharjah.
Visiting the Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Chen Qi explained: Before oil was discovered, local tribal residents mainly made a living by fishing and pearl diving. Pearl diving in deep sea was a very dangerous job with meager income. Besides fishing and pearl diving, local handicrafts like straw weaving and cloth weaving were also means of survival for poor Arabs, and interestingly, these were done by Arab men. Imagine a bearded old Arab sitting on the ground, stitching things needle by needle—isn't that a rather amusing scene?
Photo at the Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
In addition, one could explore the development of education, currency, and early postal systems, and appreciate exquisite traditional skills and crafts in jewelry, clothing, herbal medicine, music, and folklore.
Corner of the Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
The group was accompanied by two staff members: a middle-aged man in traditional white Arab attire and a beautiful young woman in a black abaya. They were delighted to have us visit and enthusiastically served as guides. After the tour, group members took photos with them.
Journalist and Guide Photo (Photo: Bian Jing)
The sightseeing program in Sharjah was relatively simple, but it had its unique charm. The journalist learned that Sharjah's name means 'rising sun.' Compared to the flamboyance of Dubai and the luxury of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, as the Arab cultural capital, is more like a wise Arab elder—full of wisdom yet content with simplicity.
A Corner of Sharjah Street (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Driving on spacious and clean roads, traffic flowed smoothly and orderly. There were few traffic police, no exhaust fumes from vehicles, and no jarring honking. The entire city was clean, elegant, peaceful, and serene.
Street Sign (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
What remains most here is the footprint of Arab civilization: the meaningful sculptures in streets, museums recording Arab history, ancient Islamic buildings bearing years, various ornate mosques, the rising and falling calls to prayer, conservative attire, and traditional lifestyles—all constantly remind one that this is a conservative Arab nation.
Sharjah Beach (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Sharjah's beach still retains its original coastal features: fine soft white sand, wide flat beaches, clear pure seawater, and a deep blue transparent sky. The beautiful sea and sky scenery is intoxicating. Walking barefoot on the soft sand, shoes in hand, swaying left and right, leaving footprints behind—walking and looking, looking and walking, the footprints stretch behind while the mood becomes light and joyful.
Family Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
After finishing the Sharjah itinerary, the group returned to Dubai, passing by a famous local family museum called the AL HAREB Museum on the coast of the Persian Gulf. As a private landowner—AL BOOM TOURIST VILLAGE—the Al Hareb family is the oldest and most renowned shipbuilding family in the area.
Seaside View (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Now, AL HAREB has expanded to dominate Dubai's sports, wedding, catering, and security industries. The entrance area of the AL BOOM TOURIST VILLAGE is a wedding venue, once used for the wedding of the late ruler Sheikh Rashid's daughter, Princess Sheikha Latifa.
Sea View from Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Here, the group admired tapestries decorated with gold ornaments made by this family—elegant and magnificent, with exquisite craftsmanship that was breathtaking. However, the prices were also steep. There was also an Arab handicraft and local product center, small in size but offering distinctive items.
Night View (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
Since this place is by the seaside, the scenery was beautiful, and group members captured many memorable moments here.
Last Night in Dubai (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
In the evening of December 6, 2017, the UAE tour group returned to Dubai. Behind the Dubai Mall, they finally enjoyed the stunning musical fountain at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. Amid the colorful lights, the fountain's water jets danced gracefully to the melody of Arabian music, displaying enchanting beauty.
Musical Fountain (Photo: Feng Ganyong)
With that, the UAE journey came to a successful conclusion. Under the guidance of guide Chen Qi and team leader Qiu Lingli, the group happily drove to Dubai International Airport. Then, at 22:40 that evening, they took China Southern Airlines flight CZ6070, returning home via Urumqi. Farewell, UAE! (Text and photos: Feng Ganyong)
