While the splendidly iconic Burj Khalifa cannot be denied the share of awed gaping they deserve, Dubai’s portfolio of imposingly imaginative architecture doesn’t stop at these two futuristic towers infused with cultural design elements. Here are some unforgettable sites to savour in this ingeniously inventive cityscape.
Dubai Frame
In an oasis known for its expressive structures, dramatic seascapes, heritage-rich enclaves, and thrilling desert adventures, the Dubai Frame will still steal your breath away with its sheer scale and the epic 360-degree views of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ quarters of Dubai from its glass-bottomed bridge 492-feet up in the air. Whether you’re crossing the Frame to experience the jewel-toned souqs hawking everything from saffron, sumac, and coffee cardamom to artisan gold jewellery, exotic perfumes, and eye-popping woven fabrics or prefer the modern-arabesque luxury of its new-age recreation centres, you won’t find a more arresting portal.
The Dubai Mall
Another artistic feat of engineering that caters to epicurean dreamers, the world’s largest mall serenades the senses with its harmonious composition of diversely gorgeous design influences from the modern and ancient world. From roaming the luxurious Fashion Avenue featuring the world’s most bougie brands and discovering local gems to experiencing the magical Underwater Zoo and breathtaking indoor ice rink, there’s plenty to stimulate the most blasé visitor. For outstanding Sheikh Zayed Road hotels, venture no further than the likes of La Suite Dubai Hotel and Apartments.
The Green Planet
A hi-tech interactive biodome geared towards meaningful and sustainable progress, the Green Planet is an otherworldly superstructure hosting immersive ecosystems, from equatorial rainforests to mind-boggling aquariums and aviaries. The building itself gives the deceptively fragile impression of an origami cube housing a mammoth glass cylinder that encompasses these living dreamscapes.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library
Another majestic edifice, this fascinating fairytale library is shaped like an open book resting on a beautiful Turkish lectern, enabling visitors to air out their imaginations and roam through a state-of-the-art legend showcasing over a million books.
