6 Things to Do and See in Sharjah
Sharjah may not have a big name like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but don’t be fooled by that. It is a magnificent city in the middle of the desert and it has almost everything to rival its big brothers. Sharjah is the third largest city in the country and also the cultural capital, giving it a slight edge over its brothers in the South. If you are taking care of renew my passport processes so that you can find time to visit the Middle East, don’t be blinded by the allure of Dubai and Abu Dhabi alone. Also, find the time and head north to Sharjah where you will find lots of interesting things to see and do, including but not limited to the followings:
Roam lazily and leisurely around the Blue Souk
The Blue Souk is Sharjah’s most famous shopping center and also the most photographed building in the city. Its unique design and engineering make it so conspicuous that you can’t miss it. The structure features a total of six buildings, each with distinctive blue tiling and houses over 600 shops. It is located just behind the beautiful Khalid pond.
The Blue Souk is prominently known as the central market, where you will find all manner of items on sale, with kitchen utensils and pearls obtained from various places within the UAE featuring the most. Whether you love shopping or not, this is a great place to just come and enjoy the beauty it has to offer and also have a chance to see various items from different parts of the country for sale.
Arabian Wildlife Center
If you want to have a glimpse of the Arabian natural life, then you won’t find an ideal place in Sharjah than the Arabian Wildlife Center. This is where most of the wildlife that has been wiped off the area is preserved for the future generations to see. The center is divided into three main regions. The first region is for the mammals, and this is where you find animals such as rodents, cats, and other canines, ungulates, and primates. The second section is for the reptiles such as snakes and lizards while the third and the last section house insects.
It is also at this center where endangered species such as caracals and the Arabian wolves are bred, though the breeding section is prohibited from the general public. The wildlife center also has a children’s farm, where the young guests can have a chance to interact with the animals more up close, but safely. They can pet and feed animals such as camels, goats, and ponies. If you love biodiversity and you appreciate the preservation of endangered species, then you should never fail to visit this center.
Visit Sharjah Natural History Museum and Desert Park
For a guaranteed day of fun, then a trip to the Sharjah National History Museum and Desert Park is a must. This is the place to get schooled about the plants and animals native to Sharjah. But the center is not just for learning about the flora and fauna of the region. One of the other interesting things you will find in the park is a section where bees fly in and out through a clear or transparent tube and you also get to see live how the bees make honey.
At the Geology Hall, you will get a free demonstration of how the planet Earth and life began from a scientific point of view. There are audio-visual learning materials to explain natural phenomena such as the movement of the tectonic plates, the eruptions of volcanoes and the occurrence of earthquakes.
In the Floral Hall, finally, you find incredible information about Arabian plants, and you will be literally amazed at their superfluity.
Visit the Sharjah Archeology Museum
In this museum, you will find most of Sharjah’s historical artifacts, including some that date back to the Stone Age period. Some of ancient relics you find in this place include pottery, jewelry, and clothing, with a clear description of the periods when they were in use as well their actual application during that time. The items in this museum tell the whole story of Sharjah. At just a small entrance fee, you will get a noble chance to educate yourself and learn a lot of things about Sharjah and the entire region.
Visit Qanat Al Qasba
At Qanat Al Qasba, you will find a plethora of exciting tourist attractions and you will need a great deal of time to sample all if not, most of them to your satisfaction. The area essentially boasts of a myriad of attractions all in one place. The Maraya Art Center is one of the exciting places you have to visit when you come to Qanat Al Qasba. The center houses a gallery curated by Guiseppe Moscatello – the legendary Italian artist. With a total of three floors of exhibitions, you will find all manner of exhibits, multimedia projects to canvases and even some digital pieces.
A visit to the area will not be complete without taking a ride on the Eye of the Emirates Wheel. It is a Ferries wheel standing at a total height of 60m and riding on it will give you an incredible view of the entire Sharjah. Though it may be scary to take a ride on the wheel, it is perfectly safe and it has air-conditioned cabins which make the rides very comfortable.
Check out the Khalid Lagoon
You may frown at the thought of going through the processes of renewing my passport only to come to Sharjah to see a lagoon, but before you dismiss the suggestion, just know that this is a different kind of a lagoon. To begin with, in the middles of deserts is not where you would expect to find lagoons. This lagoon is just next to the Blue Souk and it is one of the most beautiful lagoons you will ever set your eyes on. A mesmerizing feature of it is the fountain built right in the middle of it to crown its glory. As a matter of fact, the fountain is the third tallest in the world, with its jets reaching a height of 100m, creating magnificent displays you could watch all day long.
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