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Introducing
Al Ain
The
fertile oasis city of Al Ain lies about 160 kilometers from Abu
Dhabi city, with the desert on one side and mountains on the other.
It is the capital of Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Region.
Abu
Dhabi is one of seven Emirates, which make up the United Arab
Emirates (UAE), a federation that was formed in 1971. Al Ain is
situated on the border with the Sultanate of Oman and the town of
Buraimi.
As
a fertile oasis of date palms, with a natural water supply, Al Ain
has long been a city of greenery. Extensive planting over the
past 40 years has transformed it into a garden city. Apart from
roads lined with trees, bushes and flowers, there are more than 70
public parks in Al Ain. Around the region, the desert has turned
green as extensive areas have been devoted to agriculture.
An
Attractive feature of Al Ain is that, with the exception of the
hotels, no buildings are more than three storeys high, a vivid
contrast to other Gulf cities. It means that residents and visitors
can enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains, including Jebel
Hafeet, which, at 1,340 metres, is the tallest mountain in the UAE
and a major tourist attraction.
Al
Ain has a long history and archaeological discoveries indicate a
thriving civilization dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages.
Remains from these periods can be seen around the city. In later
years Al Ain became important as a crossroads on ancient trading
routes with its abundant supplies of water attracting travelers from
afar.
Today,
with modern hotels and superb highways connecting to all parts of
Arabia, a warm welcome is extended to visitors who will
discover there is much to do and see.
Tourist
Attractions
Ain
Al Faydah
Close
to Jebel Hafeet is the resort of Ain Al Faydah. Visitors can take a
boat on the lake or a swim in one of the pools while the gardens are
the perfect setting for a picnic. Accommodation includes a rest
house and individual chalets.
Desert trips
Tour companies can organise trips in 4-wheel drive
vehicles to the desert and wadis (dried-up river beds) which
burst into life a short period after a heavy rain. Driving across
the dunes is an exhilarating experience.
Jabel
Hafet
Standing guard
over the city is the dramatic Jebel (Mountain) Hafeet, at 1,340
meters the highest mountain in the UAE. A 13 km winding road leads
to the top and on a clear day there are splendid views across the
desert and the city.
Hot
springs
At
the foot of Jebel Hafeet are hot springs. The area has been turned
green with picnic spots. The springs are diverted along
shallow channels- ideal for bathing the feet in steaming therapeutic
waters.
Al
Ain Oases
Al
Ain Oasis is in the city center and other fine examples of oasis can
be found at Qattarah and Jimi. Peaceful walks can be taken
through the trees alongside the falaj, the ancient irrigation
system.
The
Forts
Al
Ain has numerous forts and watchtowers. Many have been restored
using traditional materials. Dating from the 19th and early 20th
century, they were built for defensive purposes but were also
centers of government.
Useful
Information
Visas:
All visitors except nationals of Gulf states require visas to enter
the UAE although these are issued on arrival to citizens of many
European, Far Eastern and North American countries.
Regulations should be checked before traveling.
Getting
to Al Ain:
Al Ain International Airport is situated 23km north west of the city
center. There are scheduled flights to other Gulf and Middle
East destinations and to the Sub-Continent. Al Ain is
connected to other cities in the UAE by excellent highways.
The car journey from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai takes around 90
minutes. There are also regular bus services and taxis from
both cities.
Getting
around:
Taxis are plentiful in Al Ain and are metered and cheap by
international standards. Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars
are widely available.
Language:
Arabic is the official language but English is widely spoken, as are
several of other languages.
Climate:
Al Ain has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny, blue skies can
be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and
irregular, falling mainly in winter. Temperatures range from a
low of about 80C in January to a high of about 430C.
Clothing:
Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but
sweaters or jackets may be needed during the winter months.
Ladies should avoid wearing low-cut dresses, very short skirts,
shorts or tight jeans while outside your hotel complex.
Gentlemen too should avoid vest style t-shirts, shorts and tight
jeans again outside hotels. Normal swimwear is acceptable
around hotel pools. Lightweight suits are advisable for
business meetings.
Business
Hours: The weekend in the UAE is Thursday and Friday
when all government offices are closed. The Holy day is
Friday. Banks and most other commercial activities close from
Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning. Shops operate normally
on Thursdays and in the evening on Friday.
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