Originally a small fishing settlement that became a busy port of
call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus
Valley, the emirate was rapidly transformed into an international
business centre and modern tourist destination following the
discovery of oil in 1966.
Today Dubai ranks as the country's foremost commercial centre, a
city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new
developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for
a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping
plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the
city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur
Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks,
restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques.
From within these high standards of luxury and convenience,
visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a
night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert
skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the
Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in
the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly
traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and
visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases
and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to
top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the
finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to
satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers.
One of the city's top attractions is its excellent shopping. As
an open port with low import duties, Dubai can offer an incredible
range of top brand names at cheaper prices due to the tax-free
environment, and 'shopping tourists' are drawn from around the
world to this paradise of malls, souks, boutiques and modern
department stores selling everything from Paris fashions to
Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping Festival attracts
millions of tourists to the city for a shop-till-you-drop
holiday.
Getting around: The most common way of getting around Dubai is by
taxi; they are cheap and easy to find. Many hotels offer shuttle
bus services for guests as well. Metered taxis are cream coloured,
with uniformed drivers. The public bus service covers most areas of
the city and its beaches; the monthly period pass as well as the
discounted purse pass are available. Routes and bus numbers are
posted in both Arabic and English. Small wooden motorboats (abras)
cross the creek every few minutes between Bur Dubai and Deira. Cars
are the most popular method of transport for locals in the city,
and although roads are well-marked and car hire cheap, visitors
should think twice about hiring one, as driving standards are
erratic and accidents frequent.






