Dubai—The Golden City

Dubai—The Golden City

The Dubai Gold Souk, as the name suggests, is a market primarily dedicated to selling gold, with shops lining both sides of the streets. Even if you’re not interested in buying precious metals, a visit to the Gold Souk is a must to experience Dubai’s dazzling luxury. It is the largest gold market in the world, featuring jewelry from Dubai, India, and around the globe, with most items made of 18k and 22k gold. The local government strictly requires all stores to accurately mark the purity and weight of their products, so you can buy with confidence. When you find a piece of jewelry you like, remember that haggling is part of the fun.

The Gold Souk is filled with golden splendor, with nearly every display case showcasing diamond-encrusted gold jewelry, softly glowing pearl necklaces, and sparkling platinum and silver pieces.

The Spice Souk is located near the Gold Souk, but due to the overly enthusiastic vendors who even grab and pull at you, we quickly escaped from the Spice Souk.

Every great city is often intersected by a major river, and Dubai Creek plays this role in Dubai.

It divides Dubai into two parts: the older Deira on the northern shore and the newer Bur Dubai on the southern shore. Dubai Creek is actually a 16-kilometer-long inlet that was once the main trade route connecting Dubai to the outside world. Most of Dubai’s historical buildings and landmarks are located along the banks of the creek.

On Dubai Creek, you’ll find many traditional Arabic-style wooden boats called “Abra.” Riding on one of these boats, you’ll see flocks of seagulls circling around, waiting to be fed.

After seeing the gold and the various skyscrapers in Dubai, you can understand their aesthetic: it’s not about being the best, but about being the most expensive.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is the Middle East’s first outdoor marine world, housing over 65,000 marine creatures including sharks, eels, seahorses, and piranhas. It features more than 20 impressive giant marine exhibits and recreates the scene of the lost city of Atlantis submerged underwater. The entire aquarium is themed around exploring the vanished civilization of Atlantis, allowing you to imagine discovering the mysterious ruins of this ancient city while observing marine life. Legend has it that Atlantis sank into the ocean centuries ago, and today, its remnants are preserved only in the writings of Greek philosopher Plato, human curiosity, and the Atlantis Hotel’s “Lost Chambers”!

Upon entering the aquarium, you’ll first encounter a dark blue small fish tank with many little fish swimming freely. On either side of the tank are corridors, with the right corridor leading first. On the left wall of the corridor, there are ancient nautical maps, while the right side features several smaller fish tanks with brightly colored fish swimming in the deep blue water. At the end of the corridor is another small blue fish tank. The dim lighting around the corridor makes the blue color of the tank appear particularly mysterious.

During the day, Dubai’s Old Town exudes a soothing ochre tone. There’s even a vintage-style Starbucks and bustling markets, where vendors enthusiastically promote their products to passing tourists.

Walking through Al Seef, the atmosphere feels calmer compared to the vibrant city center—a peaceful retreat amid the bustle. Shade cloths cover the streets, so while it’s still hot, the sun isn’t too harsh.

The admission fee for the Dubai Frame is $14. Its design is inspired by a picture frame, symbolizing Dubai’s past, present, and future. Two elevators take visitors straight up and down, offering a panoramic view of the entire city.

The Museum of the Future and the Dubai Frame are located close to each other. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance to secure your preferred visiting time.

The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are adjacent—the tallest building and the largest mall in the world. It took quite a while to find a parking spot, and I got lost in the mall several times.

There’s a fountain in the center of the mall, and after 6 PM, a light and fountain show takes place every 30 minutes. While it was nice to watch, it didn’t particularly impress me visually.

Anantara Desert Resort is located in the Liwa Desert, a 3.5-hour drive from Dubai. It came highly recommended online, with endorsements like “a must-stay hotel” by the BBC and being a filming location for Dune 2.

The stay exceeded expectations—the sand was fine, soft, and gradient-colored, creating a scene straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. From check-in to check-out, the experience was flawless. The hotel’s design, service, attention to detail, and activities all went beyond what I imagined.

Since October is still the off-season in the UAE, staying for two nights is recommended to fully immerse yourself in the desert vibe. The only downside was the Suhail steak for dinner—it was overpriced and disappointing!

Visiting Ferrari World, I entered the park right when it opened and enjoyed the thrill of having it almost to myself. The park isn’t very large, so it didn’t take long to explore everything. However, my biggest regret was not being able to ride the world’s fastest roller coaster—it’s undergoing long-term maintenance. For those planning to visit, it’s best to check the park’s official website in advance for updates.