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Dubai: Expectation vs reality – BBC News

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Dubai – perhaps the best known city of the United Arab Emirates, with a reputation for attracting the glamorous and the wealthy.

But what’s going on beneath the surface? The BBC’s Frank Gardner explains how not everything is as it seems.

What is the reality behind Dubai’s reputation as a city with a rich cultural heritage?

Dubai: Expectation vs reality – BBC News

Dubai, known as the city of gold, boasts of its luxurious lifestyle and ultramodern architecture. It is a city that has reinvented itself as a top tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors every year. However, the question remains, is Dubai all that it promises to be? In this article, we’ll take a look at the expectation versus reality of Dubai.

Expectation: A city of extravagance and opulence

Dubai is known for its luxurious lifestyle, with upscale shopping malls, high-end restaurants, and some of the most expensive hotels in the world. Visitors come to Dubai in droves with the expectation of being treated like royalty during their stay.

Reality: Dubai is indeed a city of extravagance and opulence. From the world’s most extensive shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, to the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building globally, Dubai has a lot to offer in terms of luxury. However, the high life here comes at a cost. Dubai is not a cheap city, and visitors can expect to pay a premium for a luxurious stay.

Expectation: Year-round sunshine and tropical climate

Dubai’s weather is a significant attraction for tourists, who come in search of sunshine and warmth. With an average temperature of 25°C and sunny skies throughout the year, Dubai is seen as the perfect getaway for those looking to escape the cold.

Reality: While Dubai does enjoy a tropical climate, the summer can be excruciatingly hot, with temperatures soaring up to 45°C. The humidity levels are also high, which can make the heat feel unbearable. Visitors should plan their trips accordingly and avoid the summer months if they aren’t accustomed to such heat.

Expectation: Thrilling adventures and entertainment

Dubai is also perceived as a hub of thrilling activities and entertainment. Whether it’s skiing indoors, driving dune buggies in the desert, or skydiving from the tallest building globally, Dubai offers an array of adrenaline-fueled experiences.

Reality: Dubai lives up to its reputation as a hub of adventures and entertainment. Visitors can indulge in a range of activities, from indoor skiing at Ski Dubai to water sports at Jumeirah Beach. These adventures come at a cost, and visitors should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money to partake in them.

Expectation: A cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural heritage

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that blends the old and the new. Visitors are attracted to the city’s rich cultural heritage, with museums, art galleries, and mosques that tell the story of the city’s history.

Reality: Dubai is indeed a melting pot of cultures, with over 200 nationalities living and working in the city. The architecture here is a mix of traditional and modern, with the Old Dubai giving visitors a glimpse of the past. However, one should not ignore the fact that Dubai is a relatively young city, and its rich cultural heritage is not as ancient as some of the other cities in the region.

In conclusion, Dubai is undoubtedly a city that offers much in terms of entertainment, luxury, and adventure. However, visitors should be realistic in their expectations, as the high life here comes at a cost. The city’s extremely hot weather, expensive lifestyle, and relatively short history are some of the things that visitors should keep in mind when planning a trip to Dubai. Despite its flaws, Dubai remains a top tourist destination, and with its rapidly evolving skyline, it will continue to attract visitors for years to come.