What to see in Abu Dhabi?
In this article we will tell you about what to see in Abu Dhabi – an amazing city, the capital of the UAE and the emirate of the same name, in which the implementation of bold architectural projects with the latest achievements of science and technology peacefully coexists with Eastern exoticism and strict adherence to Muslim traditions.
Seeing Abu Dhabi in the airplane window, it is impossible to believe that this greenest city of the United Arab Emirates is in the lifeless Arabian desert. But this is exactly the case, and about a million trees on its streets, in parks and squares are continuously watered – each individually, as well as a huge number of flower beds and lawns!
All this green splendor is complemented by numerous skyscrapers, which by the way amaze the imagination not in its height – in Tokyo, New York or Shanghai, there are higher – and an unprecedented variety of architectural solutions, sometimes just shocking guests of the city.
There is a skyscraper in Abu Dhabi both in the shape of a circle and in the shape of an inverted cone, and it’s impossible to determine the shape of the building of the National Museum of the Sheikh Zayed under construction in one word.
But most striking is the “falling” skyscraper of the Capital Gate (Capital Gate). The inclination of the building is as much as 18 degrees, which is four times more than the inclination of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, but unlike it, the Gates of the Capital City do not fall – the slope is set with the explicit intention of entering the Guinness Book of Records. A stainless steel veil that absorbs the sun’s rays completes the fantastic impression of this masterpiece of modern architecture.
What to see in Abu Dhabi: Capital Gate skyscraper (Capital Gate)
Looking at all these architectural beauties, a thought comes by itself – the authorities of this Arab country know how to manage their oil wealth! Thanks to their efforts in Abu Dhabi really have something to see. This idea is only strengthened with a closer acquaintance with the city.
What to see in Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World Amusement Park
The 65-meter bright red Ferrari logo is distinguishable even from an airplane; it is located on the territory of the Disneyland for Adults of Ferrari World Amusement Park. All local rides are marked by the legendary favorite Formula One – from a 3D simulator to a roller coaster, on which Ferrari-styled carts race at a speed of 240 km / h.
Both adults and children will also enjoy the new chic water park Yas Waterworld, which is spread over an area of 15 hectares. Visitors can enjoy 43 different attractions, five of which have no analogues in the world, including the world’s first 238-meter tornado hydro-magnetic waterslide.
Guidebooks call the Sheikh Zayed Mosque a “benchmark of the new Arab luxury”, although the UAE residents themselves consider this iconic building to be a memorial. The mosque is designed to perpetuate the memory of the unifier of the country and the first head of state – Sheikh Zayd ibn Sultan an-Nahyan. The height of each of the four minarets is 107 meters, the mosque can hold simultaneously 40 thousand believers. Here is the world’s largest carpet, its area is 5627 square meters, and a chandelier weighing about 12 tons.
What to see in Abu Dhabi: the machine issues gold bars
About the luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi can be judged by such a fact. If for some reason you need a gold bar, you can buy it here … in a vending machine, like a bottle of pepsi! There are only two such machines in the world, one in China, the other in Abu Dhabi, in the lobby of the Emirates Palace Hotel. In this super-luxury hotel, the heads of some states have life-long rooms. The hotel is surrounded by a huge park with fountains and palm trees, and has its own beach. And even the keys to the numbers are stylized as gold coins.