Dubai, UAE, Seeing is Believing (February 2025) 迪拜 （阿联酋），眼见为实 (2025年二月）

Before traveling to Dubai, I wondered what else this city had to offer beyond oil, gold, and desert. However, by the end of our trip, I laughed at myself for ever having such thoughts—it was truly a case of “seeing is believing”.

Situated on the Arabian Peninsula and bordering the Persian Gulf, the city’s history dates back to around 3000 BC. In the 19th century, Dubai became part of the Trucial States under British protection. The UAE was formed in 1971, with Dubai as one of its seven founding members. Although Dubai is an ancient city, its initial prosperity stemmed from the pearl industry. The discovery of oil in 1966 was a turning point, driving large-scale infrastructure development. However, Dubai’s people recognized the limitations of oil resources and actively promoted economic diversification. With bold strategies and relentless efforts, Dubai has developed into a global hub for tourism, real estate, finance, logistics, and trade. Dubai’s transformation from a desert settlement to a modern miracle is a testament to the leader’s vision, determination fom societies, and hard work of the laborers (including foreign workers from all over the world; they can still be seen everywhere today).

Despite being a member of a Muslim country, Dubai exhibits remarkable tolerance, openness, and secularism. Religious customs are observed, but they are not strictly imposed on daily life unless directly challenged.

We spent about a week exploring Dubai. Whether riding a bus through the city or walking along its roads and beaches with friends, I witnessed firsthand how Dubai grew from a humble fishing village into a global metropolis. Unlike most in our tour group, who were busy shopping and admiring gold, I was more drawn to the city’s rich history, unique architecture, and cultural diversity. The many mosques, especially the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, stood as shining examples of their magnificent heritage. I also appreciated the natural beauty of Dubai—its blue skies, birds, beaches, and vast desert landscapes.

To me, present-day Dubai is not just a symbol of luxury and commerce, but also a testament to human ambition and adaptability. I am delighted to share the my perspective of this extraordinary city in my eyes.

在去迪拜旅行之前，我好奇除了石油、黄金和沙漠，这座城市还有什么？然而，等我们的旅行结束，我笑我自己怎么会有这样的想法，真的是百闻不如一见啊。

这座城市位于阿拉伯半岛，濒临波斯湾，其历史可追溯至公元前3000年左右。在19世纪，迪拜成为英国保护下的特鲁西尔诸国的一部分。1971年阿联酋成立，迪拜成为七个创始成员之一。尽管迪拜是一座古老的城市，但它最初的繁荣来源于珍珠产业。1966年石油的发现成为转折点，推动了大规模的基础设施建设。然而，迪拜人民深知石油资源的局限性，因此积极推动经济多元化。凭借大胆的战略和不懈努力，迪拜发展成为全球旅游、房地产、金融、物流和贸易的中心。从荒漠聚落到现代奇迹的转变，迪拜的成功离不开领导者的远见、社会各界决心的和劳动者的艰苦奋斗(包括世界各地来的外劳；至今到处仍可见到辛勤劳作的他们)。

尽管迪拜是一个穆斯林国家的一部分，但它展现出相当的包容性、开放性和世俗化。宗教习俗人人遵守，但在日常生活中这些习俗并不严格地强加于人，除非有人主动挑战传统。

我们差不多有一周的时间见识迪拜。 无论是乘坐巴士穿行，还是在马路海滩与友人步行，我能见到迪拜从一个不起眼的渔村蜕变为全球大都市的痕迹。

与旅行团中大多数忙于购物和鉴赏金子的同行不同，我更倾心于探索迪拜丰富的历史包括、独特的建筑风格和多元文化。众多的清真寺， 尤其我们专程前往的阿布扎比谢赫扎耶德大清真寺，真的是他们灿烂文化遗产的典范。 我同样欣赏它的湛蓝的天空、鸟类、海滩和沙漠构成的自然美景。

现在的迪拜，在我眼中不仅仅是奢华与商业的象征，更是人类雄心与适应力的见证。我很高兴能分享我镜头下的这座非凡城市。

We did a day trip to Abu Dhabi, which is only a two-hour drive from Dubai. The country’s largest mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was our top priority. The mosque is so majestic and magnificent, it really deserves to be enjoyed slowly. We all felt that our time there was far too short. 

As we explored the city, I was amazed by the sheer number of luxury high-rises, futuristic architectures, and incredible man-made wonders.

我们去了阿布扎比一日游。从迪拜出发到阿布扎比车程仅需两个小时。这个国家最大的清真寺， 即谢赫·扎耶德大清真寺，是我们的首要参观目标。这座清真寺宏伟壮丽，真的值得慢慢欣赏。我们都觉得在那里停留的时间实在是太短了。

其它时间我们在城市周边游览， 最后参观了著名的总统府。数量众多的豪华高层、未来主义的建筑风格以及远超想象的人造奇观令人惊叹。

The garden was launched on Valentine’s Day in 2013. It occupies over 72,000 square metres, featuring over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants, and is is the world’s largest flower garden. In the garden, I kept wondering how this city on the edge of the desert could have so much water to irrigate so many flowers.

该花园最早在2013年情人节开放，占地超过72,000平方米，拥有超过5000万株鲜花和2.5亿株植物，是世界上最大的花园。在花园里，我心里一直在想这个沙漠边上的城市怎么会有那么多的水来浇那么多的花。

The public observation deck, perched 240 meters above Palm Jumeirah on the 52nd floor of The Palm Tower, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the iconic palm-shaped island.

公共观景台位于棕榈塔 52 层，距朱美拉棕榈岛 240 米，可以欣赏到标志性的棕榈形岛屿的壮丽全景。

The Burj Al Arab, renowned for its opulent 7-star rating, is a luxury hotel built in 1999 to resemble the billowing sail of a dhow, a traditional Arabian boat. Situated on an artificial island just off the coast, this all-suite hotel features 198 lavish duplexes, private beach, and outdoor saltwater infinity pool. The glass-like pool melts into the horizon to create the mirage of a continuous body of water. Spending a night there was an unforgettable experience—a true taste of the good and luxury life (probably this is the only time I stay here in my life).

The night we stayed there was the Chinese new year eve. The hotel’s facade was illuminated in vibrant red, marking the start of the Year of the Snake

阿拉伯塔酒店以极其豪华的 7 星级而闻名，是一家建于 1999 年，外形酷似阿拉伯传统单桅帆船风帆的酒店。这家全套房酒店坐落在海岸边的人工岛上，拥有 198 间豪华复式公寓、私人海滩和室外海水无边泳池。这个玻璃般的泳池融入地平线，形成一片水天一体的奇妙感觉。在这里住一晚是一次难忘的体验——真正品味美好而奢华的生活 （估计这一辈子也就这么一次）。

我们入住的那一天是除夕夜，酒店外墙专门亮起红灯，庆祝中国新年蛇年的到来。

It is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai residence and administrative headquarters of the Ruling Royal family of Dubai.

扎比尔宫是谢赫·穆罕默德·本·拉希德·阿勒马克图姆的住所，也是迪拜统治皇室的迪拜住所和行政总部。

In the city of Dubai, there is the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary serving as an oasis for wildlife. It features Flamingo Lake, a shallow, saline lagoon hosting hundreds of pink flamingos along with other migratory birds. Fortunately – or unfortunately – I only had a 90-280mm lens with me, so I did my best to photograph these birds. Nevertheless, it is a uniquely joyful experience to share this tranquility with my companions in this urban forest.

在迪拜市内，有一座拉斯阿尔科尔野生动物保护区，是野生动物的绿洲。保护区内有火烈鸟湖，这是一座浅浅的盐湖，湖里栖息着数百只粉红色的火烈鸟和其他候鸟。幸运的是——或者说不幸的是——我随身只带了 90-280 毫米镜头，所以能拍摄到这些鸟我算是尽力了。不过能与我的同伴在这个城市森林里享受这一刻的安宁，也是一种特有快乐。