Featured Image : Dubai Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. In the 18th century, it was a...
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Dubai Blog @Dubai101.com.
Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit Dubai or any part of the Arab World.
Visit Dubai souks for your holidays
Souk is actually an Arabic word, which stands for the market or a place where any kind of goods are brought or exchanged. In the past Arabic shipping vessels that come from the Far East, China, Ceylon and India drop off their cargo brought from the places on to the docks. These cargoes would actually be bargained over in the souks which are usually located near the docks.
Now these souks have modernized and caved way to a multistory shopping malls which come with air-conditioning. You can get the latest gadgets and designer apparels but there are still ‘souks’ that have conserved their traditions in which you can find in Dubai. Although a lot of people may say that the souks in Dubai have lost their touch and even lost out to their Middle Eastern counterparts it is still a must visit to complete your holiday here in Dubai.
The Ibn Battuta Mall
The Ibn Battuta Mall is an ideal shopping destination that is located just off the Sheikh Zayed Road. This place is actually named after Ibn Battuta, a 14th century explorer who spent 29 years travelling through the Middle East and Asia.
An interesting fact about this mall would be that it is divided into six courts based on the areas he visited during his travels. The courts include China, India, Tunisia, Andalusia, Persia and Egypt. This makes the mall interesting to just look around, as each court is decorated to resemble a different areas of the world. The ceilings, sculptures, boats and displays are all related to the different areas.
The shopping here is excellent; it has a good mix of well known brand names and individual retailers. There is a 21 screen cinema at the China court and it includes UAE’s very first IMAX theatre. It would be a great idea to catch an IMAX film while you are here in this awesome shopping mall. This mall is a must visit with it’s superb design and notion behind its architecture.
A place to shop for gold, Dubai.
Dubai is a city well known for its gold thanks to its Gold Souks or some might call it Gold Markets. These Gold souks are actually traditional markets formed way back in the days when shipping vessels came from the Far East, China, Ceylon and India drop off their cargoes brought from the places on to the docks. These cargoes would actually be bargained over in the “souks” which are usually located near the docks.
The trade in the gold souk was said to have risen during the 1940s thanks to Dubai’s free trade policies which actually encouraged entrepreneurs from India and Iran to set up stores here. A lot of people say that the ‘gold souk’ are a must see.
The Gold souk actually located in the bustling commercial business district in Deira. The Dubai Gold Souk is situated in the locality of Deira. And it has been said that an estimated amount of at least 10 tons of gold is present at any given time in the souk itself.The souk is encircled to the north by the Dubai Fish and Vegetable Market and the Deira Corniche. The Gold Souk can be spotted with all the sparkling gold at the front of the shop and usually you can spot hawkers nearby these souks trying to sell their counterfeit handbags and clothing at knock off prices.
The Gold Souk actually consists of over an unbelievable 300 retailers that deal with all sorts of exclusive and fashionable jewellery. There are even well established stores such as Damas, ARY Jewellery and Joy Allukas Jewellery. And of course there are smaller stores that carry out their business in the gold souk.
The markets or shops in the souks offer a variety of jewellery that range from earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. There are many different shades of gold that will be available to you. I mean come on seriously, at least 10 tons of gold at any given time means you are going to be spoiled for choice with all gold here. And plus you can choose to have a more traditional item if you are more into the customary jewellery or you could go for the modern items if you feel like keeping up with the modern times of the fashion world. And if this still does not satisfy you, you can actually have your own item or piece designed for you by the skilled craftsmen that you will find in this souk.
An interesting fact is that India is Dubai’s largest buyer of gold, accounting for approximately 23% of the emirate’s total gold trade in the year 2005, similarly India accounted for approximately 68% of all diamond-related trade in Dubai.
A useful shopping tip for you would be to look out for the clasp of the necklace or bracelet that you are buying to see if it is strong enough to support the chain itself. You could do this by running your hand over the chain and looking for any rough edges. If you are patient enough to check your piece or item carefully before purchasing you are guaranteed to have one that will last you a lifetime and of course that guarantee is only a 100% if you take good care of it too.
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