Tourists visiting Dubai can take off to Sharjah and Ajman to spend a day or two of peace and pleasure. Sharjah, the third largest of the United Arab Emirates, is just 15 km from Dubai and can be reached in thirty minutes from the city. Ajman, the smallest of the United Arab Emirates, is close to Sharjah. It is a beautiful drive from Dubai to Sharjah and Ajman.
Emirate Land on Sea and OceanSharjah covering an area of 2600 sq. km is blessed with the bounty of the sea. It is the only emirate to have land both on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The vast expanse of the sea forming a backdrop to its cityscape is its main attraction. One can spend a leisurely holiday here swimming, surfing or indulging in other water sports. One can also just relax on its sandy beaches dotted with short palms swaying in the breeze.
Oriental and Modern Sharjah
Sharjah has retained its oriental charm with an impressive line of mosques, minarets, wind towers, pigeon shelters and bazaars across its land even as it is developing fast as a modern city with high-rise buildings and fiber glass complexes dominating its skyline. It is greener than Dubai, better spaced out and more artistically laid-out.
Sharjah has numerous plush malls but the Blue souk or Central market is the most popular. Standing out prominently on the Khaled lagoon with its blue and white arched Islamic design, it is the biggest market in Sharjah. It offers 600 air-conditioned shops to discover and an expansive area to stroll around.
Sharjah’s History and Culture
Sharjah has transformed itself swiftly from a no-man’s land to a modern city with a great infrastructure and amenities! 6000 years ago it was an ancient settlement called as ‘Sarcoa.’ Its inhabitants relied on trade, sea-faring, farming, hunting, fishing and pearling. Many of the early settlements were based around the ‘falaj,’ a man-made underground watercourse.
Sharjah became part of the United Arab Emirates on 2nd December, 1971. In 1998 UNESCO declared Sharjah as the Cultural city of the Arab world. Sharjah’s natural history museum is one of the best in the Gulf not to mention Al Nabooda House, the museum for cultural heritage. King Faisal mosque of Sharjah is one of the most impressive mosques and the largest one in the Emirates.
Laid out on three tiers with arched windows and projections, it looks enchanting with its gold-colored dome and minarets crowning it. However, the best museum to showcase Arab culture is in Ajman, the smallest of the Emirates laid out on 260 sq. km. A short drive from Sharjah, Ajman is another green city that has a languorous appeal.
Ajman, the green ArabTown
The Ajman creek with dhows or traditional boats plying on it is an idyllic scene. Farther away, inside the city, is the popular museum of Ajman. It catches one’s attention with its mixed facade of a mosque and fort. Enter the museum to walk past wells, winding stairs and watch towers. It surely recreates an Arab town of a bygone era.
Driving down to Sharjah and Ajman is worthwhile on a visit to Dubai. Spending a few days to experience peace, tranquility and an old world Arab charm is a better option.
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