Tourism

Dubai Creek

Destination

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Dubai Creek

Long the heart of the city, Dubai Creek allowed the Emirate to become what it is today by providing food, resources, and a valuable trading port for the region.

In the early days, if someone wished to cross the creek, it would either involve a lengthy land journey or a short trip on an abra, a small traditional, wooden boat. While in the past they were powered by oar, the majority of them now have diesel engines. The creek has long been the heart of Dubai, and still to this day along the shoreline you can find the traditional wooden boat builders. While in the past the abra was one of the only ways to cross Dubai Creek, nowadays there are numerous bridges, tunnels, and metros allowing people to cross to the other side of the city effortlessly. While the abra and other traditional boats aren’t a vital transport link anymore, they are by no means obsolete. Thousands of people still use abras for leisure and tourism purposes, and they still play an important role in the development of the city. Dubai has managed to save most of the historic districts of the city, and in 2012, a part of the Khor Dubai became a UNESCO World Heritage site. The first 4.5 kilometers of the creek, which includes the original mouth up to the first bridge that connected the two banks, as well as the quay, the piers of the harbor where hundreds of wooden boats continue to use, and the three historic districts of Shindagha, Bastakiya, and Deira. It received the award based on three important criteria. The site showed an important exchange of human values and showcased a number of different styles and elements of architecture, specifically the large use of wind towers. The site is also and excellent example of a traditional Arab settlement’s interaction with a unique maritime environment.

Dubai has managed to save most of the historic districts of the city, and in 2012, a part of the Khor Dubai became a UNESCO World Heritage site. The first 4.5 kilometers of the creek, which includes the original mouth up to the first bridge that connected the two banks, as well as the quay, the piers of the harbor where hundreds of wooden boats continue to use, and the three historic districts of Shindagha, Bastakiya, and Deira. It received the award based on three important criteria. The site showed an important exchange of human values and showcased a number of different styles and elements of architecture, specifically the large use of wind towers. The site is also and excellent example of a traditional Arab settlement’s interaction with a unique maritime environment.

Most people know, Dubai for its ambitious landscaping and large and modern skyscrapers; however, its lesser known historic district is still the pulsing heart of the city.