On December 1, 1999, the Dubai cityscape changed for ever.
Burj Al Arab in Jumeirah was the first of many architectural feats the UAE would build to dazzle the world.
Designed by British architect Tom Wright, the hotel was built in the shape of a dhow, the traditional Arab ship, on a man-made island 280m off the Dubai shore. The design of the building reimagined the traditional vessel with its piercing sail to not only reflect Dubai′s seafaring heritage, but to add a modern, universal and unique aesthetic, symbolic of the UAE’s forward vision.
Construction on the project began in 1994. It took two years to create the island and another three years to build the property. From its official opening, and since then, it has broken several world records. It is 321m tall and was the tallest hotel in the world when it was built,― it is still the third tallest.
The Terrace, the Burj’s 10,000sqm luxury platform, is the first man-made luxury beach facility, which has two pools and a 1,120sqm beach area which was created using 1,000 tonnes of imported white sand.
Inside the hotel is the largest Swarovski crystal ceiling in the world, where an installation worth Dh1.3 million ($353,982), recreated the Milky Way by using 21,000 crystals.
Approximately 1,790sqm of 24-carat gold leaf is used to embellish the interior of the hotel, which was designed by British Chinese interior designer Khuan Chew.
Chew researched Arab poetry, science and astronomy, and his design explores the theme of Life in the Desert. The interior of the hotel was designed in sections, honing in on the idea of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water.
The hotel's helipad has always been a point of international interest. In 2004, pro golfer Tiger Woods teed off from the helipad and, the following year, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer had a game of tennis on a makeshift court, while in 2013, champions Ma Long and Liu Shiwen played the first table tennis match on the Burj’s platform, and in 2017, professional kitesurfer Nick Jacobsen jumped off the helipad with his kiteboard, in a world first.
There’s no denying that the Burj redefined hotel luxury, introducing the idea of the "seven-star hotel" and reframed the UAE to the global mainstream. Yet the Burj is more than a hotel.
Indelibly linked to the city’s visual identity, an incredibly popular tourist destination and a local point of pride, the Burj, 23 years since its construction, is a reminder and symbol of how far the UAE has come and what Dubai envisions for itself.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
