Dubai

I discovered Dubai by chance. Although I had stopped over in Dubai many times on my way to Thailand, I had never visited. I live in Northern Virginia, and the most convenient and closest airport for me is Dulles Airport. I enjoy experiencing different airlines for overseas flights over time. For this particular trip to visit my mother in Thailand, I chose to fly on Emirates Airlines. The flight time from Dulles Airport to Dubai International Airport is approximately 13 hours, followed by another 6 to 7 hours. I'm not fond of sitting and traveling on a long flight to anywhere, so I thought I would check the cost of stopping over in Dubai on my way back from Bangkok to Dubai. I found out that I could stop in Dubai for a few days without paying extra for my airfare, so I took the opportunity to explore Dubai for four nights. I had read and heard about Dubai, but as soon as I arrived, my concerns disappeared. I thought the city was modern, with amazing skyscrapers, convenient, and clean. If you venture out, you'll notice that small shop owners are not native Emiratis. I spoke to my driver, who lived and worked in Dubai, and he informed me that the majority of the workers came from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. He also mentioned that the cost of living in Dubai is pretty high, especially in the housing market.

Dubai is a popular city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside Abu Dhabi (the capital of the UAE). It is the capital of the emirate of Dubai. Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf, and the population as of 2025 is approximately 4 million people. Approximately 92 percent are expatriates, while the rest are native Emiratis. The official language is Arabic, which is spoken in the Gulf countries of the Middle East. In the past, most of Dubai's economy was based on oil production, but after the 1990s, the city diversified and emerged as a global hub for many industries, including tourism, trade, manufacturing, real estate, and financial services. Currently, Dubai relies on less than one percent of oil production, while the majority of the country's economy still depends on oil and some non-oil production businesses.

What to see and do in DUBAI

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To see the entire city, you probably have to spend at least a week in Dubai. The city blends modernity with traditional culture. While walking in public places, you'll see Emirati men wearing long white robes (kandura or dishdasha) and headscarves (ghutra), and women wearing long black gowns (abaya) over their regular clothing and headdresses (hijab). Throughout the city, you will witness stunning architectural creations, including hotels, museums, and government offices. One of the buildings is the Burj Khalifa. It is a launchpad for spectacular New Year's fireworks year after year. I would love to celebrate the New Year in Dubai sometime in the near future.

On this trip, I didn't spend much time near the beach because I had already visited Phuket and Phi Phi before going to Dubai. I would have loved to try the 24K gold cappuccino at the Jumeirah Burj hotel, but my time was too short, and I prefer to spend more time exploring the city and the desert than sitting down to enjoy a cup of coffee. Hopefully, I will plan my route a little better next time. While staying in Dubai, I spent most of my time at the Dubai Mall because I love window shopping. I was amazed at how large the mall is. They have many shops and restaurants, mostly international, especially merchandise from the US and European countries, which I was not interested in. I was looking for gifts, delicious baklava, locally grown dried dates, and traditional costumes. If you're looking for 24K gold and luxury designer watches like Rolex, Dubai is the place to be because you don’t have to put your name on a waitlist. There are some watches available for purchase.

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HERE IS MY 3 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS ITINERARIES:

DAY 1. Phong Nha Botanic Gardens & The Duck Stop

a. Meena Bazaar Dubai (little India)
b. Dubai Mall
c. Buj Khalifa (world tallest building)
d. Dubai Fountain

DAY 2. Phong Nha Botanic Gardens & The Duck Stop

a. Museum of the Future (walking tour)
b. Dubai Mall (lunch)
d. Safari Desert Tour and Activities
(1:45 pm -9:00 pm)

DAY 3, 4, and 5 (OPTIONAL)

a. Dubai Miracle Garen (close during summer and reopen sometime in Sept to Oct. Check website for schedule)
Dubai Miracle Garden | The Best Place to Visit in Dubai, UAE
b. Grand Mosque, Royal Palace, Etihad Towers in Abu Dabi (capital city of UAE)
d. Dubai Old and Modern city
e. Dubai Gold Souk in Deira
Dubai Gold Souk 🇦🇪 World’s Biggest Gold Market Deira Dubai! [ 4K ] Walking Tour

Getting Around

Dubai has many modes of transportation, including public buses, metro, taxis, and private hire. The Dubai metro stops at Dubai International Airport. Throughout my stay in Dubai, except for travel to and from the airport, I utilized the metro because of its convenience, efficiency, and affordability. Dubai Metro: Map, Stations, Ticket Cost, Pass & Timings [2025]

The Dubai Metro has designated cars or carriages for children and women only. They usually have a pink sign on the carriage and on the platform. If a man enters this car, he may potentially be fined. Regarding dress, I was informed that I must dress conservatively, and I have prepared my outfits for what to wear in Dubai. When I arrived in the city, I noticed people dressed well in the hotel, but at the mall, on the streets, and during the safari, tourists are free to wear anything they choose. I noticed many wore shorts and tank tops that revealed cleavage. Dubai is more liberal in dress than we think. This is because 12 percent of Dubai's revenues come from tourism, and another 17 percent comes from the construction and real estate industries. Investors, expats, foreign workers, and visitors comprise the majority of the population. To be successful in business and coexistence, the city is adapted to Western standard clothing. Except in mosques and places of worship, one should wear modest or traditional attire. When visiting any country's place of worship, please be mindful and respectful of those around us. We may have different beliefs, but it would benefit us to learn more about their cultures and beliefs. This is the reason we visited these places in the beginning—to learn, experience, and educate.