Khorfakkan Beach- The City of Beauty
Dubai is popular due to its tall buildings, and its fast-paced lifestyle. However, tucked in Sharjah and far from the towering structures, you can find Khorfakkan Beach. This is a beach town that is welcoming and calming. It offers respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. It is embraced with gold sandy beaches and blue waters.
There are stunning mountain ranges that make it an ideal holiday destination for anyone who has an interest in nature. However, it is essential to explore Old Dubai before you immerse yourself in the landscapes of Khorfakkan. Let's take a closer look at the Heritage Village in Dubai, which is the home of Dubai's history and traditions.
The Heritage of Old Dubai: Understanding the Historical Significance
Dubai Heritage Village was established in 1997. It is your ticket to discovering how Dubai started. It is located in Dubai's Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood. This Village offers a peak into the traditional lifestyle of Dubai. It is an essential component of the Dubai experience and a must-visit to understand the city's history and culture.
Sited at this location near the historical water channel known as Dubai Creek, the historic sites of Old Dubai here show how the Emirati people once existed. Dubai's historical background goes back as early as 100,000 BCE when individuals started to settle down. The majority of the population was involved in agriculture, and date palms were being grown by 2500 BCE. Named Perla del Golfo, Dubai received the wind of the early 20th century with pearl trading, but the industry sank in the 1930s.
The discovery of oil in 1966 was the key to growth in infrastructure and development in the city. Currently, Dubai is an international airport and trading centre, famous for its sophistication and popularity among tourists. In the future, the 2040 Vision specifies long-term goals in urban development where the city's goal is to become a sustainable green experiment in urbanisation.
What to Expect at Dubai Heritage Village
The Dubai Heritage Village is a historical epic of Old Dubai and a tradition that has formed the fabric of modern Dubai. With its mudbrick houses, wind towers, and traditional souks, you are likely to feel that you are in another age. It also gives the feel of real Bedouin life, and you can also see how various traditional products like pottery, weaving, and metalwork are made.
The Dubai traditional village, therefore, acts as a connection of cultural heritage between the city of Dubai and the modern world. Here, you will find more modern architecture, but it is still behind the recently raised Barasti houses. This is the kind of feeling that makes people understand that the city has changed, but it has not lost its base.
A Peak into the Architecture
One of the most memorable things about the Dubai traditional village is the simple architecture of this creation. There is a form of wind tower or barjeels that are used to control the vice of high temperatures and are still known to be fashionable coolers for the present generation. They were common in the urban fabric long before air conditioning became a common commodity in buildings.
When you stroll around some of the oldest buildings in Dubai, you notice these towers standing right above the traditional Abra houses. You can recall how the Emiratis grew to their environment. Starting from the housing structures such as the famous mud brick houses to wooden chests, all the structures have a story to tell with regard to the issue of resilience and creativity.
The Village is based on the old arts and traditions of the locals, the architecture is inherited from them. The structure shows the synthesis of materials used in local areas in the olden days, such as stones, tents, palm fronds, etc., and conventional features, such as arches, Jali's, etc. Lastly, the colour for the structure is done using a traditional colour that meets the geographical context.
The cluster of muddled and stony archaeologically related sites offers a peek into the Middle Eastern culture and folk tradition. Through the architecture of the Village, you can go back in time and, thus, discover the history of Dubai.
Things to Do in Dubai Heritage Village
When at the Heritage Village, you are able to find several cultural activities in Dubai that make history come alive. To understand the lifestyle of the Bedouins in the past, you should start with the archaeological remains and representations. Activities that can be undertaken in Dubai Heritage Village include going for traditional artistic activities and even taking a bite of the local foods. Some common ones are:
Cultural Performances: There is vivid traditional music and dance which makes the atmosphere of the Village stimulative. See young people dance traditional dances, hear the beat of the drums, and get the cine of the local heritage. You can see and partake in Al-Yowla.
Interactive Exhibits: Get to know more about the profession and method of pearl diving, which was one of the primary concerns of Dubai's economy. Explore the authentic Bedouin encampment, which is complete with items used by Bedouin people hundreds of years ago, including weapons, instruments, and kitchenware.
Crafts and Souks: Many years ago, Emirati people made pottery and weaving fabrics, maybe try to do it as well. These include the souqs in which you can buy souvenirs, including baskets, pots, and jewellery that are unique to Dubai history and heritage. You can buy beautiful items you wait to buy at discounted rates with coupons from DealsandCouponsmena in person.
Fun Activities: You can also enjoy a camel ride or experience the thrill of falconry. These are more suited if you like adventure and want to be close to Dubai's wildlife.
A Day at Dubai Heritage Village
There are a number of things to do here, as detailed in the previous section. A rough itinerary may include:
Start the day by visiting some of the interactive exhibits.
Go for a camel ride.
Book a cultural lunch with the locals to interact and taste authentic Cuisine.
Find out if there is any performance or event to be held and attend it.
If not, visit the Bur Dubai Spice market and walk through the old souk.
Shop for souvenirs to take back home.
Some popular places to visit include:
Bait Al Wali: It is the previous home of the local dictator. There are courtyards, two observation towers, and a mosque.
Museum: Displays traditional Emirati arms, musical instruments, boats, clothes, and handicrafts.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House: The residence of the ruler of Dubai from 1912 to 1958, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, this 1896 home displays the history of the house.
The best time to visit the Dubai Heritage Village would be:
The first hour of the morning
After sunset in the evening
This is applicable only if you do not have a full day of activities planned.
A Look at What Lies Beyond the Heritage Village
Although the Heritage Village provides a whole idea of Old Dubai culture, there are a lot more places around it. A 15-minute walk will lead you to the Dubai Museum and the Al Fahidi Historical District, which tells more about the change. Other sites cover more aspects of Dubai's history and culture, such as its seaborne and merchant early history.
To the full-sweep tour of the heritage village, you can combine the Dubai Creek walk or the souks' side tours. To cross the creek, you have to ride an abra or go on a tricycle tour around the colourful markets. The tour of these Old Dubai landmarks ensures the uniqueness of cultural transformation is fully understood.
Heritage Village as a Bridge to Dubai's Modernity
The Dubai Heritage Village should, therefore, be deemed important in presenting Dubai's cultural past and, at the same time, associating it with the present. It offers an enclosed environment through which a tourist can gain an appreciation of the foregoing aspects of Dubai, such as pearling diving and the Bedouin lifestyle.
In this light, presenting traditional crafts and ways of living helps to remind people about their roots as the city of Dubai grows faster and faster.
The Dubai Heritage Village helps the people of Dubai to be proud of their cultural background. For tourists, it gives a chance to look beyond the stunning skyline of the city and see the traditions that stand behind the creation of the emirate.
This assembly increases the consciousness of culture and, therefore, tourism. Preserving Old Dubai landmarks and ensuring local traditions remain ingrained in new generations, the Village at the same time revitalises local artisans who embrace the cause of preserving traditional crafts.
All of this points to the fact that Dubai is an example of multicultural roots being the key to the future. While making the city a symbol of fast-progressing civilisation, the Dubai Heritage Village stands as a link between the past and the future of Dubai.
Practical Information for Visitors
Location: 3110233 - Al Khaleej St - Dubai - United Arab Emirates, in Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood
How to Get There: You can take a bus, which takes about 4 hours or a taxi, which takes about an hour and a half.
Opening Hours: The Dubai Heritage Village is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to enter the Village.
Facilities: There are various restaurants present. There are also relaxation places.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
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Conclusion
Khorfakkan Beach and the Dubai Heritage Village, represent the traditional way of life of people in the region. These places offer a space where you can just lie down and see the sea, and on the other hand, those that reflect the history and heritage of such a unique city as Dubai. In a world that is always in a state of transition, it's sometimes wise to look back, and these places offer just that.