More than oil and luxury: Exploring the diverse culture of the UAE

When you think of the United Arab Emirates, oil and luxury resorts will often spring to mind. But what else is there to explore in this country bordering the Persian Gulf? With winds from the sea and scorching temperatures, let’s explore the diverse cultures of the UAE.

Embrace our traditional culture!

People of the UAE are very hospitable. The warm and kind welcome they extend to guests can be traced back to the ancient Arabian customs of desert travelers. These customs of hospitality have been carried over into modern times. Visiting a local family is also a good opportunity to learn about traditional local culture and customs. Follow our reporters to see how a local Arabic family hosts their guests.

Camel milk, one of the local specialties, is widely enjoyed by the Arabian people. Long ago, a cup of camel’s milk and several dates once provided the nomadic Bedouins with the daily calories they needed for their desert journeys. Known as the ship of the desert, the camel is not only an important means of transportation, but also a friend for life and a symbol of wealth for Arabs. Today, camels are regarded as docile and attractive animals that produce quality milk that’s half as low in fat as cow milk.

Besides camels, falcons and falconry have also been intertwined with Emirati culture throughout history. Falcons are treated like honored members of the family in the UAE. The UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, is home to a falcon hospital that is the first public medical institution exclusively devoted to falcons in the country. Established in 1999, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the largest falcon hospital in the world, treating around 11,000 falcons a year. The hospital describes its mission as “to protect, conserve, research, and promote captive-bred and wild falcon’s health, wildlife and falconry tradition.” Staff members say their aim is to lead efforts in improving animal welfare and to increase awareness and responsibility about the issue. Come along with our reporter You Yang to explore this unique place.

Explore a diverse choice of destinations.

Cultural and tourism cooperation and exchanges have been promoted between China and the UAE in recent years with the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, Dubai also aims to be the first choice for Chinese tourists. The Museum of the Future, the Burj Khalifa and the Souk Madinat Jumeirah are all popular tourist attractions among Chinese visitors.

Located near the Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in Dubai. Strolling down the narrow lanes of the Souk Madinat Jumeirah shopping district is like wandering through the tales told by Scheherazade for a thousand and one nights. In this blend of the ancient Middle East and modern lifestyle, tourists can smell spices, sample camel milk gelato, and listen to the local vendors greeting each other in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and even Chinese.

Located in the city center of Dubai, the 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. The city landmark quickly became one of Dubai’s most popular attractions after opening to the public in 2010. According to its official introduction, the weight of the concrete used to build the Burj Khalifa is equivalent to 100,000 elephants. The light shows at the iconic building, especially those themed around festivals, are among the major attractions taking place at the Burj Khalifa. During China’s National Day holiday and Spring Festival, light shows featuring a Chinese theme illuminate the skies to send holiday blessings to Chinese people around the world.

Experience the modern wonders of Dubai.

As one of the seven emirates of the UAE, Dubai is known as the “City of Wonders” thanks to its array of distinctive skyscrapers and their strong visual impact. These buildings shape the city’s distinctive skyline and have helped to make it the popular international tourist destination it has become.

In the heart of Dubai lies a symbol of the UAE’s vision for the coming decades: the Museum of the Future. Some say it looks like a giant onion ring, while others believe it resembles an eye looking far into the horizon. Wearing traditional Chinese hanfu, our reporter Hou Jing takes you inside this architectural masterpiece. Sit back and witness how a cultural symbol from centuries ago dances in harmony with the daring vision for Dubai’s future.

What kind of effort went into building these so-called wonders in the desert? Reporter Liu Jiaxin takes you on a journey to explore the stories behind these buildings.