Explore the Cultural Heritage of Dubai
Dubai is a vibrant modern city that overwhelms visitors with superlatives. The world’s tallest building, the largest shopping malls, world-renowned hotels, palm-tree-shaped artificial islands, and eternally sunny weather attract visitors from all over the world to this desert haven. Lurking under the modern face of this city that has leapt into the twenty first century is a rich historical and cultural foundation that many visitors miss. While the United Arab Emirates is a young country, Dubai and its neighboring regions are proud of a heritage that has evolved over centuries of struggling to survive in this inhospitable region. When you visit Dubai, take time to venture beyond the hotels, malls, and beaches to these five areas and you will find interesting insights into how Dubai has flourished.
Dubai Creek
For centuries, pearl diving and sea trade drove the Dubai engine and the Dubai Creek was the center of the activity. Wealthy pearl traders and successful merchants built homes and ran commercial operations from the banks of this Arabian Gulf inlet. Today, that activity continues. The pearl divers may be gone but the sea trade endures. Stroll along the Creek and watch as workers load the colorful dhows, traditional ships that are bound for ports throughout the Middle East and Africa. Take a tour of the harbor from one of the friendly water taxi drivers. These rickety looking yet amazingly stable watercraft constantly traverse the Creek offering visitors and locals a cheap and easy crossing.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
Overlooking the mouth of Dubai creek, the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House was the official residence of the patriarch of the current ruling family. The Al Maktoum family has guided Dubai as it developed into a modern metropolis. The restored house now features exhibitions and art objects that help visitors understand the development and transformation of Dubai. Historical photos give an insight to the hard life that existed until a few decades ago. Nearby, the Heritage Village is an open-air museum that showcases elements of Dubai’s Bedouin roots and the Pearl Diving Museum displays artifacts of that grueling industry.
A visit to Dubai Creek, the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, and Heritage Village takes one behind the scenes in this glamorous city. See how the area evolved from a weary coastal village into the modern center of tourism, trade, and commerce that Dubai has become.
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