Dubai – MegaStructures

Dubai had been on my mind for quite some time. I still remember watching an episode of “Mega Structures” about 10 years ago, fascinated by the extreme project of building this city. Today, when observing this ultra-modern metropolis, it’s hard to believe that not so long ago, Dubai’s land was a desert inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes.

The city’s rapid development followed the discovery of oil deposits in the 1960s. Dubai’s futuristic vision slowly started to materialise. The skyscrapers reaching the clouds like Burj Khalifa leave an incredible impression. However, the scale of this project becomes even more astonishing when you consider the challenging conditions in which the city was built.

The Emirates’ land is mostly covered in sand. The desert ground posed a significant challenge to maintaining the stability of high buildings. To ensure balance, the buildings’ foundations were constructed using piles dug deep into the ground. For instance, the 163-floor Burj Khalifa, standing at 828 metres, rests on a foundation made of 192 piles rammed 50 metres deep.

Today, from the observation decks on the 124th, 125th, and 148th floors, you can admire a spectacular panorama of the city, the desert, and the Persian Gulf. The city looks particularly stunning at sunrise.

If you plan to visit Burj Khalifa early in the morning, allocate enough time to get there. The route from the metro station leads through a long corridor, which can take up to 30 minutes. It’s also worth arriving shortly before sunrise because when the sun is slightly above the horizon, its rays can make visibility through the glass more challenging.

The area around Burj Khalifa is also worth visiting in the evening. On the artificial lake, there’s a performance of dancing fountains. The show starts daily at 6:00 PM and is reapeated every half hour until 11:00 PM.

The most imaginative architectural creations in Dubai include artificial islands. One such island hosts Burj Al Arab, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, standing at 321 meteres. The hotel’s construction cost $650 million. The greatest challenge during construction was ensuring the stability of the high structure. This was achieved by a base made of 230 piles rammed 40 metres deep. There’s a helipad at the top, which has also served as a stage for David Guetta. You can watch this spectacular concert here.

Inside Burj Al Arab, you’ll find the largest ceiling adorned with over 21,000 Swarovski crystals symbolising the Milky Way. Additionally, the interior décor includes 1,790 square metres of 24-carat gold. The hotel houses over 200 suites, with the smallest measuring 169 square metres and the largest 780. Guests can choose from 17 types of pillows and dine at nine restaurants, one of which is underwater. The hotel employs three chefs with seven Michelin stars.

A beautiful view of Burj Al Arab can be seen from Madinat Jumeirah, a replica of an Arabic town that features hotels, a local souk, and numerous restaurants.

A relatively new attraction is the Dubai Frame, located in Zabeel Park. The frame offers incredible views of Dubai. Its construction cost $44 million, and the structure rises to 150 metres. It’s the largest frame in the world, and I doubt anyone else would think of building something similar. The Dubai Frame is open to visitors, with a museum on the ground floor showcasing Dubai’s transformation from a small fishing village to a futuristic city. At the top, you’ll enjoy a stunning 360-degree view of Dubai.

The Museum of the Future also stands out with its surprising design. Its unique shape, silver colour, and Arabic calligraphy make it one of a kind. The inscriptions on the building reportedly form a poem by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, describing his vision for the city’s future.

Next to the Museum of the Future are two iconic towers, the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and a striking building that serves as the gateway to the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Before visiting the Mall of the Emirates, I thought Ski Dubai—a ski center—was a small attraction. However, the complex includes five artificially snow-covered slopes, the longest of which is 400 meters. The slopes are served by two drag lifts and one chairlift.

What’s more, despite Dubai’s scorching heat, Ski Dubai maintains a constant temperature between -1 and 2°C (30 to 36 °F). Besides the slopes, there’s also a snow park, sledding track, ice rink, and ice cave. Remarkably, Ski Dubai is home to penguins. Ticket prices include equipment and outfit.

If skiing isn’t enough, you can head to the Dubai Mall, which features a massive ice rink.

In the evening, visit Dubai Marina in the southern part of the city. Along the 7-kilometer boulevard, you’ll find many cozy cafes and restaurants. Luxury yachts and boats are docked along the artificial waterway.

However, Dubai isn’t all glass and concrete. Just outside the city centre you can visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s an incredible place where you can see large populations of flamingos posing for photos with skyscrapers in the background. It’s hard to believe that hundreds of birds choose this spot near a busy road so close to the centre of a giant metropolis.

The sanctuary is home to around 180 bird species, including herons, ospreys, cranes, cormorants, and mallards. Entry is free, and three observation points are available for visitors. Ras Al Khor is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM in winter and from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM from April to September.