The Legendary Desert Oasis: A Journey Through Dubai's Fashion and Culture
Last updated 2026-09-25 — What do people really know about this desert oasis? Is it the Burj Khalifa, which in 2008 snatched the title of the world’s tallest building from Taipei 101? Or the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only seven-star hotel...
By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
What do people really know about this desert oasis? Is it the Burj Khalifa, which in 2008 snatched the title of the world’s tallest building from Taipei 101? Or the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only seven-star hotel? When you come to Dubai, besides visiting its world-renowned hotels and towers, you’ll also find the Grand Mosque, Cultural Square, and the traditional water taxi offering a unique impression of the city. In response, domestic travel agencies have launched special itineraries that combine both fashion and culture, with promotional prices starting from just 69,900, making it easy to discover this oasis in the desert.
Besides the Burj Al Arab, Dubai offers many culturally rich attractions and activities waiting for visitors to explore. (Image source / The Jumeirah Group Media Library)
Burj Al Arab
Over a decade ago, when Dubai was still relatively unknown, it was a single hotel that put it on the map — the now world-famous Burj Al Arab.
In 1999, the Burj Al Arab was completed on a man-made island just 280 meters off the beach. A British female journalist who visited praised its luxurious facilities and exceptional service, dubbing it a “seven-star” hotel in her article. From then on, not only was the hotel known worldwide, but Dubai’s fame also soared. It remains the first and likely the only instance where a single hotel put an entire place on the global map.
The original name of the Burj Al Arab means “Arabian Tower.” Its architecture resembles a silver-white sailboat standing tall on the Arabian Sea, as if ready to set sail, hence earning the nickname “sailboat.”
As the Burj Al Arab does not allow public visits and even guests must pass security checks to enter, the checkpoint at the entrance marks your passage from ordinary life into a luxury paradise. Arriving in a Rolls-Royce greeted at the airport, the fairy-tale life of princes and princesses begins to unfold.
The Burj Al Arab stands 321 meters tall with 56 floors, but all rooms are designed as two-story suites, totaling 202 suites across 27 actual floors. The 28th floor houses a helipad, allowing wealthy guests to land by helicopter for a fee. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
Burj Khalifa
In July 2008, while under construction, the Dubai Tower surpassed Taipei 101 to become the world’s tallest building, reaching over 508 meters. In January 2010, it officially opened to the public at 828 meters and was named the Burj Khalifa.
Undoubtedly, the Burj Khalifa is another showcase of national strength and a global attention-grabber following the Burj Al Arab. The interior will house shopping malls, luxury residences, leisure and entertainment centers, restaurants, offices, and more than eight international luxury or chain hotel brands.
The exterior of the Burj Khalifa draws inspiration from spider lilies and Islamic geometric patterns, offering a modern yet elegant style. Not only aiming for height supremacy, it will also feature the world’s largest shopping mall, capable of accommodating up to 50,000 people. With high-speed elevators traveling at 18 meters per second, it will set records for both height and speed. Daily water usage of 95 liters and electricity consumption equivalent to 360,000 100-watt bulbs lit simultaneously are equally astonishing.
The observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa offers views up to 80 kilometers away. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
Grand Mosque
This Grand Mosque, featuring the tallest minaret in Dubai (70 meters), is often thought to be from the same period as the nearby Dubai Museum. However, it was actually built around 1990, originally serving as a school (Kuttab) where local children learned the Quran. After reconstruction in 1998, it retained the traditional mosque style with wooden lattice windows and Islamic domes. In addition to the main minaret, it includes 45 smaller domes and 9 large archways adorned with stained glass.
Men and women pray separately at the Grand Mosque, and non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, but can only visit from the outside. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
Water Taxi
No matter how luxurious your Dubai experience may be, you should take an Abra ride through Dubai Creek to connect with the local way of life. Amidst the various boats and yachts navigating the creek, the Abra is one of the oldest and simplest. Common and convenient like a taxi, locals call it the “water taxi.”
In fact, Abras are not primarily for tourists but serve as a transportation tool for locals commuting between the two sides of the creek — Deira and Bur Dubai. Driving takes at least 20–30 minutes without traffic, while an Abra ride takes just 3–5 minutes. Plus, it’s cheap, saving both time and money. It’s no wonder the three main Abra routes are popular, with plenty of boats available. Each boat accommodates up to 20 passengers before switching, operating without fixed schedules but also without long waits.
If you find the short Abra ride unfulfilling, you can negotiate with the boatman for a private charter, arranging the route based on your budget and preferences. (Image provided / Moleskine Editorial Department)
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