Once a flat, sandy area with a sprinkling of palm trees and barasti (palm) houses, this area of the city is now very much a bustling business hub, with modern buildings, shopping malls and restaurants. It is also a residential hotspot. There is a myriad of multi-storey apartment blocks furnished with gyms and rooftop pools and, despite the area being a bit of concrete jungle with soaring nationalities. As for its exploring value there's not much to see, except for near the Creek.
Just south is Port Rashid where the Dubai Ports Authority building is a large glass and chrome construction imaginatively designed like a paddle steamer, and all the paraphernalia of a port can be glimpsed over the surrounding fence.
Near the Astoria Hotel is the busy Al Faheidi Street. Its narrow, bustling streets are a paradise for electrical goods. The area near the mouth of the Creek, known as Al Shindagha, is a good starting point to explore Bur Dubai. Here you can visit Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's House and the Heritage & Diving Village (a two minute walk from each other), before following the Creek inland to Dubai Museum. For further information, see Museums, Heritage & Culture. Near the Astoria Hotel is the busy Al Faheidi Street. Its narrow, bustling streets are a paradise for electrical goods. Close by, underneath wooden shaded walkways, every type of fabric imaginable can be bought at the Textile Souk.
Facing Dubai Museum is the Diwan, the Ruler's office, and the highest administrative body of the Dubai government. Built in 199o, the low white building is surrounded by black railings and combines modern materials with a traditional design, including examples traditional windtowers.
Located near the Diwan, the Grand Mosque was recently renovated at an estimated cost of Dhs.15.5 million can accommodate 1,200 worshippers, and has 54 domes and a 70 metre minaret - presently the tallest in the city.
It is possible to walk inland along the edge of the Creek past the Diwan to the Bastakiya district of the city. The relaxed atmosphere of this walkway with its outdoor restaurants makes it a great place to stop and enjoy Arabic fare and a shisha pipe while watching the river traffic.
Near to the Diwan, the Bastakiya (also Bastakia) district is one of the oldest heritage sites in the city. Originally known as Bastakiya Chick (square), this intriguing neighbourhood dates back to the early 19oos when traders from Bastak in southern Iran were granted tax concessions by the then ruler of Dubai and encouraged to settle there. Here you can view one of the earliest forms of air conditioning in the shape of windtowers (`barajeel' in Arabic), which are distinctive rectangular structures on top of the traditional flat roofed buildings. These were built to catch the slightest of breezes and funnel them down into the rooms below. Amble down alleyways, visit the Majlis art gallery in a converted house, and another restored building next door, the Basta Art cafe makes a great pit stop. Behind the Majlis gallery is the beautifull. restored XVA guesthouse & gallery. Bastakiya is gradually being reconstructed by the Dubai Municipality to pay homage to the traditional Arabian way of life with small winding alleys leading to over 5o houses.
Nearby, Bait AI Wakeel was built in 1934 as Dubai's first office building. It currently houses the fishing museum. Numerous embassies are located in this area, and further inland from the Creek is the popular BurJuman Shopping Centre. Located on the busy crossroads of Khalid bin Waleed Road (or Bank Street, as it is popularly known), this already huge mall has recently been extended almost tripling in size. |
