| Among the many charms of Dubai is shopping. | | | | craftsmen is creating items in shades of |
| Whether it's haggling over Persian carpets in | | | | pink, white, yellow or green by varying the |
| the centuries-old souks or shopping for | | | | alloys. |
| French perfumes in the air-conditioned hush | | | | |
| of the most modern department store, Dubai | | | | The nearby Spice Souk is filled with baskets |
| offers every shopper a great experience. And | | | | piled with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, |
| as an open port with low import duties, | | | | incense, dried fruit and nuts. Browsing here |
| prices are very attractive. Trade is at the | | | | is an aromatic adventure which you can |
| heart of Middle-eastern culture, so the | | | | continue in the Perfume Souk. And there's |
| variety of products is staggering. | | | | even a Fish Souk to sell the morning's catch |
| | | | of fish from the Arabian Sea. |
| So if you're moving for that new job in Dubai | | | | |
| , or just spending a few weeks vacation, | | | | So there's no shortage of places to shop in |
| shopping will be one of the highlights of | | | | Dubai. Now let's look at some of the |
| your visit. Here's the lowdown on the | | | | practicalities of shopping. |
| shopping scene in Dubai. First, let's look at | | | | |
| where to go. We'll refer to locations | | | | Traditional shopping hours from Saturday to |
| relative to the Dubai Creek, the waterway | | | | Thursday run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with |
| that splits the city into the two halves of | | | | a break between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Most |
| Deira and Bur Dubai. | | | | modern outlets such as malls and supermarkets |
| | | | stay open all day. All outlets close for |
| For sheer comfort, you can't beat Dubai's | | | | prayers on Friday between 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 |
| many modern shopping plazas. Air-conditioned | | | | p.m. and many shops stay open late on |
| and furnished with escalators, these | | | | Fridays. |
| multi-storey emporia sell everything from | | | | |
| designer fashions to the latest Japanese | | | | Bargaining is a traditional part of shopping |
| televisions. They also house restaurants, | | | | in Dubai. While most modern outlets have |
| cafes and movie theaters for the total day | | | | fixed prices, for family businesses and |
| out. Among the most prestigious in Bur Dubai | | | | markets, negotiation is a key component of |
| is the centrally-located Bur Juman Center, an | | | | the buying process. One good tip is to check |
| enormous shopping mall with180 prestigious | | | | out prices at the fixed-priced outlets before |
| stores selling high fashion labels for the | | | | heading to the souks. This will give you an |
| uber chiq. | | | | idea of a fair price before you start |
| | | | haggling. |
| Leading malls in the Deira district include | | | | |
| Al Mulla Plaza, the Intercontinental Plaza, | | | | As an entrepot port, you can buy products |
| Abu Hail Shopping Centre, The Galleria, and | | | | from all over the world in Dubai. And |
| Al Ghurair Centre Bur Dubai features the Wafi | | | | electronic goods, watches, cameras and such |
| Mall and Holiday Centre Plus there are a host | | | | items are competitively priced. You can often |
| of top class department stores and boutiques | | | | pick up fashion items for less than you'd pay |
| spread throughout the city. Emirates mall is | | | | in the country of origin due to the low |
| one of the most exclusive shopping properties | | | | taxes. But don't leave Dubai without picking |
| in Dubai, and should not be missed. | | | | up some local delights. |
| | | | |
| Modern malls offer the most convenient and | | | | If you're looking for authentic local |
| comfortable way to shop. But to uncover the | | | | souvenirs you have many choices. You can't go |
| exotic past of this futuristic city, and to | | | | wrong with Arabic coffee pots to remind you |
| savor the sights and smells of the authentic | | | | of the aromatic local brew. Then there are |
| Arab world, you need to head to one of | | | | silver and brass sword and daggers, prayer |
| Dubai's souks. These are the traditional | | | | beads, frankincense, Arabian perfumes, rugs |
| markets of Dubai and you'll find them on both | | | | and Persian carpets. And don't forget pearls. |
| sides of the creek. | | | | Before oil was discovered in the UAE in the |
| | | | 1950s, the country's economy was built on |
| Souks are usually organized into areas | | | | fishing and pearling. |
| selling similar items and are often named | | | | |
| after a product. Thus the Gold Souk is the | | | | The important thing about shopping in Dubai |
| place to pick up gold ornaments. Here you can | | | | is to enjoy yourself. There are bargains to |
| browse earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets | | | | be found and you can acquire rare and exotic |
| and pendants in a stunning variety of | | | | items that will grace your life for many |
| designs. A specialty of the local gold | | | | years to come. |