A Brief Account of a 6-Day Guided Tour of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, February 2023

📍 Dubai · 👁 5028 reads · ❤️ 6 likes · 2023-03-08

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Musical Fountain

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab

UAE - Dubai - Jume I r ah Beach - Viewing Burj Al Arab from a distance

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Overlooking the Dubai commercial district at night

UAE - Dubai - Yacht Marina

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Desert Safari

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Amusement Park

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Infinity Pool

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Fountain Plaza

UAE - Dubai - Iranian Town

Affected by the pandemic, outbound travel had been completely suspended for 3 years. With the adjustment of COVID-19 management to Class B and Class B, at the beginning of the new year, good news finally came. Starting from February 6, outbound group tours resumed nationwide. Tourists from all over were undiminished in enthusiasm, and the first outbound tour groups set off one after another, feeling as if they had been holding back for too long and needed to release.

Taking advantage of this trend, we also joined in and signed up for a "Light Luxury. Arabian Nights 6-Day UAE Tour". From February 26 to March 3, we visited two places in the UAE: Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We had the opportunity to experience and appreciate Dubai, a place that claims to be "wearing a piece of cloth, the richest in the world". In a short time, from a barren desert to a modern international metropolis emerging out of nowhere, to the trade capital of the Middle East and North Africa, and then to the world's tallest building piercing the clouds. Now Dubai has become a tourist destination, attracting tourists from all over the world.

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Fountain Plaza

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel Balcony - Overlooking the Dubai commercial district

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Desert Safari

UAE - Dubai - Iranian Town

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Viewing Burj Khalifa from a distance

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Overlooking the Dubai commercial district at night

This guided tour mainly visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, as well as Jume I r ah Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Iranian Town, Madinat Jumeirah (the Old Town), the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck, the Fountain Plaza, and the Dubai Mall in Dubai. We also joined two optional activities with the group: desert safari and buffet dinner at the 7-star Burj Al Arab. Overall, it was relaxing, eye-opening, good value for money, and very rewarding.

1. The UAE is the abbreviation of the United Arab Emirates, located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula in Asia. It consists of 7 emirates, rich in oil and natural gas resources, with the capital being Abu Dhabi.

2. Dubai is one of the emirates of the UAE, the largest and most populous city of the UAE, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, and an international metropolis.

3. Since January 16, 2018, the UAE has implemented a visa-free policy for Chinese passport holders, making travel to the UAE very convenient now.

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Zayed National Museum

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Ruler's Palace

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Infinity Pool

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Viewing Burj Khalifa from a distance

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Overlooking the Dubai commercial district

UAE - Dubai - Iranian Town

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Desert Safari

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah

The specific itinerary is as follows:

D1 February 26 (Sunday) Shantou - Guangzhou - Dubai

Today is the first day of departure, and the journey will be a bit tiring. We had to rush to Shantou Airport early in the morning to catch the morning flight to Guangzhou, so as to meet the group leader at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at noon as scheduled. After completing the relevant procedures, we took China Southern Airlines flight CZ383 from Guangzhou to Dubai at 15:15, with a flight time of over 9 hours. We arrived in Dubai at around 9 pm local time, and reached the hotel after 10 pm. After traveling for more than 20 hours throughout the day, we felt a bit tired and quickly rested to have energy for the sightseeing activities starting tomorrow.

Stayed at Dubai International Hotel for the night.

1. The time difference between the UAE and China is 4 hours, i.e., local time is 4 hours behind China.

2. The UAE has a tropical desert climate, divided into two seasons: the hot season (summer) from May to October, which is hot and humid with temperatures exceeding 40°C; and the cool season (winter) from November to April of the following year, which is mild and clear, with occasional rain, and temperatures ranging from 15 to 35°C.

3. During our trip, the temperature was mostly between 22 and 32°C, which is a relatively suitable season for tourism locally. There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening; generally, wearing short sleeves with a thin jacket is enough.

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Fountain Plaza

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab

UAE - Dubai - Madinat Jumeirah (Old Town)

UAE - Dubai - Madinat Jumeirah - Shopping Center

UAE - Dubai - Street View

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Creek

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah - Monorail Station

D2 February 27 (Monday) Dubai - Abu Dhabi

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we first went to Jume I r ah Beach, where we viewed the most famous Burj Al Arab from a distance. Then we rushed to the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, about two and a half hours by car. The main activity today was to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Along the way, we also drove past the Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace, the Corniche, and many famous buildings, experiencing the cityscape.

According to the introduction, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the Middle East, costing as much as 5.5 billion US dollars. The interior is inlaid with tens of thousands of precious stones and shells. The unique attractions include the Swarovski crystal chandeliers costing $800,000 each, and the world's largest handmade carpet. The entire building complex is clad in white marble from Greece. Its elegant white appearance, against the azure sky, appears particularly solemn and majestic.

Stayed at an Abu Dhabi hotel for the night.

1. Although Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, its prosperity is far less than that of Dubai, and there are not many places to visit.

2. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has strict requirements for visitors, especially female visitors, who must prepare suitable clothing in advance as required.

UAE - Dubai - Jume I r ah Beach - Viewing Burj Al Arab from a distance

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Presidential Palace

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Etihad Towers (One of the filming locations of Fast & Furious 7)

D3 February 28 (Tuesday) Abu Dhabi - Dubai

Today we returned from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. First, we went to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, but unfortunately, the itinerary only allowed us to view its exterior. Back in Dubai, we went to a place called "Arab Cultural and Art Center" for a visit. This place, which sounds high-end, is actually just a shop selling carpets and handicrafts, not much to see. Then we took the Palm Jumeirah monorail specifically to admire the world's largest artificial island - Palm Jumeirah from the train. Lunch was specially arranged at the Anantara Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, allowing everyone to enjoy a rich and distinctive buffet. It is rare for a group meal to be arranged at such a high-level hotel with such a sumptuous buffet; kudos!

In the afternoon, we participated in the optional desert safari activity in Dubai. The company in charge of the desert safari sent a car to our hotel and took us to the Dubai desert camp, about a 40-minute drive away. After a short rest, we rode a 4WD off-road vehicle and entered the depths of the desert, starting the so-called adventurer's game - dune bashing. Then we stopped at the top of a sand dune for a while, allowing everyone to get off, rest, take photos, and enjoy the desert scenery and sunset views. On the way back, we visited another desert camp where there were activities such as camel riding, watching folk performances, and enjoying Arabic dinner.

Stayed at SLS Hotel Dubai for the night, a high-end hotel that opened in April 2021. The hotel is magnificent. What makes it special is that the lobby is on the 71st floor, the restaurant on the 74th floor, and there is an outdoor infinity pool on the 75th floor. Each guest room has a viewing balcony overlooking the towering Dubai commercial district and also a distant view of the Burj Khalifa. We would stay at this hotel for two consecutive nights, which was great!

1. The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai is a massive project costing countless sums of money. It is indeed beautiful and eye-catching, very famous. However, ordinary tourists, whether taking the monorail or driving by, cannot truly appreciate its beautiful scenery because they cannot reach a high vantage point.

2. Desert safari is exciting and fun, known as an adventurer's game, but it is thrilling without danger. In fact, it is quite interesting and safe, and is a generally well-recognized optional activity.

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Louvre Abu Dhabi

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah - Villa Area

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah - Amusement Park

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah - Viewing Burj Al Arab from a distance

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Amusement Park

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Desert Safari

D4 March 1 (Wednesday) Dubai

Today's schedule was very relaxed. The group gathered at 10 am. After getting up and washing up, we went to the buffet restaurant on the 74th floor of the hotel, slowly enjoying a variety of breakfasts. Then we went to the rooftop on the 75th floor to rest and stroll, appreciating the view and taking photos. We also swam and played in the outdoor infinity pool, feeling very pleasant.

The first stop in the morning was the Dubai Ruler's Palace Plaza, where we stopped briefly to admire the view and take photos before leaving. Then we went to the Iranian Town. The Bastakiya old town here is one of the oldest sites in Dubai, and the only remaining wind tower architectural complex along the Arabian Gulf coast. Although this area is very small, it is worth spending some time in its winding narrow streets to feel its atmosphere.

After visiting the Iranian Town, we went to Dubai Creek in the historical center of Dubai. We took an Arabic-style water taxi on Dubai Creek, enjoying the colorful scenery of Dubai Creek from both the boat and the shore. Then the guide took us to the Dubai Frame, a landmark building in the city, for viewing and photos. Next, we visited Madinat Jumeirah (the Old Town), adjacent to the Burj Al Arab, and appreciated the grandeur of the Arabian castle and the serenity of the ancient canal. Looking at the modern and bright Burj Al Arab in the distance, it felt very interesting.

In the evening, all group members participated in the optional buffet dinner at the 7-star Burj Al Arab, and had the privilege of entering Dubai's most famous Burj Al Arab for a visit. At dusk, we arrived at the hotel parking lot, then walked through the seaside boardwalk to the hotel, and strolled around the hotel building for a while. We admired the distinctive architecture and the pleasant seaside scenery while taking photos. Finally, we entered the magnificent, gold-plated hotel lobby. The luxury here exceeds your imagination; the scenery here dazzles the eyes. Although the price for this optional activity was high, it was a visually pleasing pleasure. Everyone praised it and felt it was worth the visit.

Today was truly a one-day tour of Dubai. Starting from the hotel buffet breakfast in the morning and ending with the buffet dinner at the Burj Al Arab in the evening, a variety of rich activities followed one after another, making everyone feel fulfilled and very comfortable. Laughter and joy filled the journey, happiness written on everyone's faces, and everyone was extremely delighted.

Continued to stay at SLS Hotel Dubai for the night, great!

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Infinity Pool

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Ruler's Palace Plaza

UAE - Dubai - Iranian Town

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Creek

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Frame

UAE - Dubai - Madinat Jumeirah (Old Town)

UAE - Dubai - Madinat Jumeirah (Old Town) - Viewing Burj Al Arab

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Lobby

1. To use the hotel's infinity pool, you need to bring swimwear, swim trunks, and a swim cap. The hotel stipulates that people with long hair must wear a swim cap to enter the water. Pay attention to safety while swimming.

2. The Burj Al Arab is a symbol of Arab luxury and one of Dubai's landmarks. The hotel is built on an artificial island 280 meters from the coastline, with 56 floors and a height of 321 meters, its appearance resembling a sail filled with wind. Only hotel guests or those with confirmed reservations are allowed to enter.

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Infinity Pool

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Night View

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Entrance Night View

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Shopping Area

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Lobby

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Buffet Restaurant

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Large Aquarium

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Swimming Pool

D5 March 2 (Thursday) Dubai - Guangzhou

Today was the last day of sightseeing in Dubai. The schedule was simple, mainly visiting the Dubai Mall and viewing the exterior of the Burj Khalifa. Then we concluded all activities in the UAE and took a flight around 11 pm back to Guangzhou. We would spend the night on the plane, which would be tiring.

The schedule was relaxed. The group gathered at 11:30 am, so everyone could sleep in and freely enjoy the hotel facilities in the morning. We left the hotel and first went to the yacht marina to pick up a few group members who had participated in the optional Dubai yacht cruise in the morning. The rest of us also took the opportunity to visit the scenic yacht marina. Then we went to the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck, and the Fountain Plaza. Here, we had several hours of free time for sightseeing and shopping.

The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and a landmark of Dubai. With a staggering height of 828 meters and 162 floors, it pierces the clouds over Dubai. It is an architectural masterpiece combining art, engineering, and traditional culture. From the observation deck and the Fountain Plaza, you can view its magnificent appearance up close. Previously, we had only seen it in the media. Today, being there in person, looking up at the glittering, soaring tower, it was quite awe-inspiring.

The Dubai Mall covers an area about the size of 50 football fields, with over 100 restaurants, over 1,200 shops, and many world-famous brand stores. The mall also houses the largest indoor aquarium in the Middle East and the largest indoor artificial waterfall in the Middle East. The variety of goods was dazzling, and the tourists were bustling. Everyone enjoyed shopping immensely, reluctant to leave. Many group members also bought their desired duty-free goods.

Soon it was 7 pm, the group gathering time. With all the scheduled activities in the UAE successfully completed, it was time to head back. We went to the airport, where the guide helped us check in and handle luggage. At 10:45 pm, we flew back to Guangzhou from Dubai Airport. Goodbye, Dubai! Goodbye, UAE!

UAE - Dubai - Yacht Marina

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Burj Khalifa

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Mall

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Mall - Aquarium

1. The Burj Khalifa Observation Deck and Fountain Plaza are good places to see the Burj Khalifa up close. There are musical fountain shows at 12:00 pm and 12:30 pm, and at 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm, but each show only lasts 5 minutes.

2. The Dubai Mall has several floors and is large enough to attract a lot of people. When shopping, you need to pay attention to directions, or you can easily get lost.

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Musical Fountain

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Mall - Artificial Waterfall

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Fountain Plaza

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Musical Fountain

D6 March 3 (Friday) Guangzhou - Shantou

We arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport smoothly in the morning, then transferred to China Southern Airlines flight CZ3894 at 12:30 pm back to Shantou. The brief but colorful, eye-opening 6-day UAE trip ended successfully and safely. Thanks to the attentive service of the group leader, local guide, and tour guide, the journey was made much more convenient and enjoyable.

1. The UAE is a Muslim country. As tourists, we should pay special attention to respecting their religious beliefs and customs.

2. UnionPay cards are convenient to use. US dollars are generally accepted. Some shopping malls accept Alipay.

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab

UAE - Dubai - Burj Al Arab - Lobby

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Burj Khalifa

UAE - Dubai - City Architecture Night View

UAE - Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

UAE - Dubai - International Hotel Night View

A 6-day guided tour of the UAE, with more than 2 days spent on travel back and forth, allowed us only about 4 days for actual sightseeing. Even so, we hurriedly visited so many scenic spots in the two major cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, though many were just drive-by or brief stops to see the exteriors and take photos.

Although it was only a few days, from the towering commercial district, the opulent shopping malls, and the bustling airports, hotels, scenic spots, and shopping areas filled with tourists from all over the world, one could already gain a superficial understanding and personal experience of Dubai's successful transformation from heavy dependence on oil resources to trade, finance, and tourism.

This is a country half desert, half sea; half oil, half paradise. Everything here shows what extreme luxury means and what materialism looks like. A different experience, different feelings, all leaving a deep impression on everyone.

UAE - Dubai - Burj Khalifa Observation Deck - Burj Khalifa

UAE - Dubai - SLS Hotel - Viewing Burj Khalifa from a distance

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Desert - Desert Safari

UAE - Dubai - Madinat Jumeirah (Old Town) - Viewing Burj Al Arab from a distance

UAE - Dubai - Palm Jumeirah

UAE - Dubai - Dubai Mall - Aquarium

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A Brief Account of a 6-Day Guided Tour of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, February 2023

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