Dubai City Guide

This year during DSS 2009, Modhesh Fun City celebrates a decade of fun and entertainment by presenting to the world its newest, biggest and most awaited attraction known as the Modhesh World. The Modhesh World will aim to draw people of all ages little ones, teenagers and adults.

Previously known as Modhesh Fun City, it will now be greatly improved and will be known as the Modhesh World. The Modhesh World, will feature better entertainment, newer ideas, better innovations and marvelous shows. It is a great time for families to be together and enjoy!

The area of the Modhesh World is around 37,000 metres. The ticket fees for children will be AED 15.

On weekdays the Modhesh World will be open from 10 A.M to 10 P.M. On weekends it will be open from 10 A.M to 12 P.M.

Modhesh is the main theme of the DSS (Dubai Summer Surprises). The DSS is basically the counterpart of the DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival), that takes place during the winter usually, in the months of January and February. 

Some of the main events taking place during the DSS will be Kids Olympic Games, World of Stories, Arts Oasis, Kids Fashion Week and Photography Exhibition.

The Dubai Summer Surprises will start on June the 11th and will commence on August the 14th.

Every major city gives some significance to its history and holds great pride in its heritage, the city of Dubai is nothing less. Even though proof of Dubai’s existence can be traced in historical documents back to a few a hundred years, however, some artifacts found seem to be thousands of years old.

Dubai holds most of its history and heritage in what is possibly the oldest building in the city the Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787. Within the Fahidi Fort is Dubai Museum. The Fort was used to defend the city against the attacks of tribes. The museum was officially opened on the 12th of May in the year 1971.

Besides the displaying the culture of traditional Dubai and capturing the time frame before the discovery of oil, showing how people lived their daily lives, the museum also has a souvenir shop where visitors can go and take a souvenir or buy a gift.

Dubai Museum is open all year round. The Entry fess is AED 3 for adults and AED 1 for children. The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday from 08.30 A.M to 07.30 P.M and on Fridays from 01.30 P.M to 07.30 PM. During Ramadan it opens from Saturday to Thursday from 09.00 A.M to 05.00 P.M and on Fridays from 02.00 P.M TO 05.00 P.M.

Dubai the city known for many great structures and buildings, amongst these megastructures is the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world with around 1,200 shops. It was opened formally only last year on the 9th of November 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at a grand ceremony. One of the main attractions in mall is the Dubai fountain, the tallest fountain in the world and shoots water up to 50 metres high. The Dubai Mall has also officially made it to the Guiness Book of World records with the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre.

The Mall also appeals to those who may be interested in ice skating with its olympic sized Ice Rink, providing an environment of family fun and enjoyment. Another area that kids are sure to enjoy is the Kidzania, which is ideal for kids from the age of 4 to 15, with several different activities to choose from. In addition, soon to open are the Reel Cinemas, which provide movie goers with an amazing and entertaining experience. This will be the largest movie multiplex in Dubai with 22 screens.

This project was worth around 20 billion dollars and was designed by a team of top archeticts from all over the globe. The area of the mall is of around 50 international sized soccer fields. Dubai Mall is sure to attract thousands of people from all around the world.

The Mall is open from 10:00 to 22:00 from Sunday to Wednesday and 10:00 to 00:00 from Thursday to Saturday.

In the year 2011 one of the biggest campaigns in modern history is to take place. This objective of the campaign is to decide the seven natural wonders of the world and is to be organised by the New Open World Corporation. This campaign is known as the New7Wonders and Dubai is actually one of the favorites to host the main event of the campaign where the natural 7 wonders of the world are actually to be announced.

The New7Wonders will be decided through voting from all around the world. This is the second of campaign of its kind after the success of the New Seven Wonders of the World, which was a campaign to reinstate the concept of the seven wonders, which was also organised by the New Open World Corporation.  The first campaign got over 100 million votes from all over the world. The main event of the project is to take place in the year 2011. Voting has already begun in the beginning of 2009 and is to commence in July.

There is a strong sense of support for the U.A.E’s cities, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, on the official website of the event. Dubai is being strongly considered as a potential city to host the event, according to one of the event’s representatives. This however is not a surprise as Dubai is growing rapidly, in terms of development and popularity. There are currently around 18 locations from all around the world in the bidding process to become the global hosts. This is a rare and unique opportunity to make a name in the pages of history for which ever city tat actually gets the rights to become the official hosts. If the event is hosted in Dubai, it will once again get the opportunity to reinstate its position as one of the hottest cities in the world

In early 2006 everyone was talking about Dubai’s next big project the Dubai Metro.  By mid 2006 the contruction works for the metro had already started. Dubai is an ever growing city, probably one of the fastest growing in the world today attracting millions of visitors each year. This could lead to increased traffic congestion in the near future, so the Dubai government came  up with the idea of Dubai Metro, the longest fully automated rail system in the world. The need for a Metro was felt in the year 1997, however, the project finally came into existence in the year 2005.

Currently there are planned to be around 40 different stations all around the city. These will be divided into a green line and  a red line. However, there are two more proposed lines known as the blue line and the purple line.

The projects of building the Dubai Metro has been awarded to some of the top Japanese Companies. This project is estimated to cost around $4.2 billion and will be completed successfully even in the midst of recession.

Once the metro will be in complete operation it is speculated that the Metro will carry around 1.2 million passengers per day on an average.

Also this will be the first metro in the world that will have corporate branding. 23 stations on the metro lines will be given names by corporate brands. Negotiations between the government officials and the corporations for the names are currently underway.

This project will greatly benefit Dubai’s traffic conditions and help enhance the infrastructure.  The Metro is planned to start functioning on the 9th of September 2009.

Introducing the mystical and exquisite Atlantis The Palm, Dubai. An experience like no other. Dubai has opened its doors to a new hotel that can only be described as splendid. The Lost Chambers Suites are just one of the main attractions at the hotel. With a floor to ceiling underwater view of the Ambassador Lagoon from within your suite. You can enjoy the most unique stay you have ever had the pleasure of experiencing from your room as well as your bath. If you want to experience more of the Ambassador Lagoon, you will want to explore the Lost Chambers. The lost Chambers is an amazing maze of underwater tunnels beneath the lagoon. Here, you can witness an astounding selection of marine life animals living in the mystical ruins of Atlantis.

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai has what is fast becoming known as the worlds most spectacular water park. The Ziggurat is the central point of the water park with seven slides to choose from. It features the sensational Leap Of Faith where you drop 27.5 metres at a near vertical incline into the shark infested lagoon with amazing speed. The Shark Attack takes you through the heart of the Ziggurat in a winding path finally emerging into the shark lagoon. This is where you can really get a good look at the sharks. If you have a love for the wild side of water, take a ride on The Rapids, a full 2.3 kilometre ride of fast rushing tidal river waters.

Dine in world class restaurants headed by some of the finest chefs in the world.

The Nobu features both modern and traditional Japanese cuisine complete with a superb sushi bar and sake lounge. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is known worldwide for his creative cooking style.

The Ossiano pulls the Atlantis The Palm experience together with a view of the underwater Atlantis experience and fantastic seafood. The Ossiano is proud to announce world renowned Santi Santamaria as its chef.

The famous Italian Chef Giorgio Locatelli has created the Ronda Locatelli. A truly traditional Italian restaurant. It features Fabulous Italian cuisine cooked to perfection in wood fired ovens and offers cozy family style dining.

For a truly memorable lifetime experience, make your stay in Dubai the best it can be at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.