Modern Dubai is a multicultural melting pot of many immigrants and expatriates, under the federal monarchy of the United Arab Emirates. Along the Persian Gulf coast, but otherwise surrounded by desert, the city has grown from a small village of pearl merchants to one of the most unbelievable cities on earth. The engineering feats have been inscribed in the record books, and can leave you speechless. Dubai is a living experiment. An experiment of multiculturalism in the Middle-East, and often a clash between worlds. A clash between times, even, but yet - Dubai’s many modern marvels are not only a source of pride for the Arab world, but also a collaboration between cultures, and people.
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2 The most obvious stop for any foreigner of dubai, is the awe inspiring Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.
3 "Downtown Dubai" as it is called, though not actually the true city center. The huge megaproject is the city's largest landmark, opened in 2008 at a total estimated cost of 20$Billion USD.
4 The Burj Khalifa is the worlds tallest building , and the world's tallest free stranding sctructure.
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10 Sheikh Zayed Road, or "SZR" is the main artery of dubai. A line of highrise hotels and office towers, some of the UAE's most remarkable buildings are along this strip.
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12 SZR from above.
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15 "Downtown Dubai" from above.
16 Playing cricket in an empty lot behind SZR.
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19 The Emirates Towers, a symbol of Dubai's rapid modernisation at the start of the 21st century.
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21 With 163 floors above ground, the Burj Khallifa shattered all skyscraper records when it opened in 2010. In fact even 3 years earlier, when it was just 2/3rd complete, it was already the tallest building in the world.
22 Burj Khalifa from SZR
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24 The main strip of dubai highrises just before dawn.
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32 Despite a slowdown in 2009, construction in Dubai continues on a massive scale.
33 Further South-East, the eclectic neighbourhood of Jumierah and beyond. The Burj Al Arab is the landmark structure of the area.
34 Taken from ~15km away on a hasy morning.
35 Jumierah
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38 There are many souks (Arab markets) in Dubai, both new and old. Souk Madinat is by far the most extravagant, with intertwining canals and views of the Burj Al Arab.
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44 Jumierah Public Beach - where people come and take selfies of the Burj Al Arab
45 Luxury and exotic automobiles are a sure sight in Dubai. Tip: Go to a hotels VIP valet lot for a free car show!
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51 The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world, and one of the most visited buildings on the planet.
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57 The old heart of Dubai lies along Dubai Creek, in the old cities of Diera and Bur Dubai.
58 These areas have an older Middle Eastern feel, with tight streets, open air markets, and a skyline dotted with minarets of the mosques.
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61 It is in these areas you will find the traditional souks, such as the Gold Souk.
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81 Back to the modern heart of Dubai: a view of Burj Khalifa from Souk Al Bahar
82 Boulevard Plaza
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84 Far along the coast to the southwest, the Dubai Marina district is a residential district built from the ground up over the past 10 years.
85 The Marina District from 25km away atop the Burj Khalifa.
86 "The Palm Jumierah", the massive land reclamation project that has garnered so much attention.
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88 10 years ago, this was merely desert.
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91 Marina beach, adjacent to the Dubai Marina.
92 Outside of Dubai , local tour operators offer popular "desert safaris".