Monday 21 March 2016

Facts about the world's tallest building - Burj Khalifa

Dubai creates an everlasting impression on visitors with its surprising numbers of huge skyscrapers.   One can easily lose the counting if he or she starts enumerating those numbers. The only thing that will stay on his or her mind like a symbol engraved on an object is the awesome Burj Khalifa. This building is the best gift the 21st century has given to the world. It is a fine epitome of arts, engineering, and craftsmanship. 



The majestic building is a  brilliant lesson to learn on the intricate combination of vision and science. One cannot help but be struck by the global standards created in the world of construction. Its height and design have gone down in the record books with several world-firsts to its name. Here are some amazing facts about the world's tallest building – Burj Khalifa.

The credit to build Burj Khalifa goes to the global property developer of Dubai known as “Emaar Properties PJSC.” It was the vision of this company to create the world's tallest building to celebrate  Dubai and call it Burj Dubai. They also wanted the record of the tower's height to remain unbroken for a longer time.  

The construction work started in January 2004 and got over in  2009. The building was declared open on 4 January 2010 and named 'Burj Khalifa' as a reciprocation for generous funding by the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.

Burj Khalifa stands 828 meters (2,716 ft) tall in height. It is three times more in height compared to the Eiffel Tower, 15 times of the highest point of Niagara Falls and twice as tall as the Empire State Building. Its design is inspired from a tropical and subtropical flower with long petals extending from its center, and developed by a Chicago-based architecture firm called Skidmore Owings & Merill (SOM). The “buttressed core” structural system is developed and implemented by SOM to support the height of the structure.

The construction work of the building was carried out by Samsung Engineering and Construction, a South Korean company. 55,000 tons of steel rod with ridges, 110,000 tones of concrete, and 22 million man-hours were used for the reinforced concrete work. The total construction cost of this beautiful and delicate building was $1.5 billion. 

Besides holding a record for its height, Burj Khalifa has other world records to its repertoire as well. It is the only tallest free-standing building with the highest number of stories in the world (200 stories out of which 160 stories are livable), has the highest occupied floor, highest observational desk  (124th floor), tallest service elevator, and elevator with the longest travel distance.

The exterior of the building is created using 26,000 glass panels that were cut individually by 300 Chinese cladding experts to enable the building to resist summer heat.

The daily water consumption of the building is 250,000 gallons, whereas  electricity use is equivalent to 360,000 bulbs of 100-watt all burning together.

To tackle emergency situation and save time from running down from the tallest storey, the building is equipped with a novel elevator system to aid in controlled evacuations.

One can see the tip of the building from a distance of 95 kilometers. From the observational deck, which is on 124th floor, the city can be seen as far as 80 km on a clear day.

To award the cleaning contract for the reflective windows, a competition was held that was participated by reputed cleaning companies in the world, but won by an Australian company, Cox Gomyl. To clean the reflective windows, 12 machines weighing 13 tons each was used on the tracks outside the building that were  operated by 36 cleaners.

This amazing tower has 304 hotels and 1,100 one to three-bedroom apartments with 2957 parking spaces. It houses the second highest swimming pool on the 76th floor. The gross floor area, minus the connecting buildings and adjacent buildings, is 309,473m2. 

Recently, Burj Khalifa has added one more attraction to its feather in the form of a spiral flight that connects 124th and 125th floors.  Visitors can now see the entire city from the 125th floor walking on the spiral staircase from 124th floor. The 36-step spiral staircase is 100 meters in length and is adorned with a beautiful crystal LED chandelier. The huge staircase can accommodate over 150 people at a time. 

Along with these facts about Burj Khalifa, you must also know when to visit the impressive buildings. The visitors' timing is from morning 10 to evening 10 from Sunday to Wednesday. The timing extends to midnight from Thursday to Saturday. 

So don't miss visiting this amazing tower if you are in Dubai. It has become a global address that no one can fail to reach. 

Thursday 17 March 2016

10 top beaches in Dubai that you must visit once in your lifetime

Nothing beats the stress than the sight of a clear blue ocean with the freedom to roll and run like a child on the beach, splash water with your feet like an insane, and get drenched in the nature's bounty. If you want to feel and grab such heartwarming situations, then Dubai is where you should dash to. The beaches here are immaculate, unspoiled, crowded, as well as isolated. Check out these top 10 top beaches in Dubai to visit once in your lifetime.




Jumeirah Beach Park

This is the busiest beach of all and perfect for those who do not mind enjoying amidst crowd. A grove of palm trees with a wide lush green garden makes the beach more attractive and calming. The grass and the shades of the palm trees offer nice comfort after running on the beach, swimming through the waves, and enjoying sun tanning. You can also enjoy lunch under the open sky on the beach with a barbecue. Sadly, the beach is closed to the public due to the water canal project and will open by the end of 2016.

Kite Beach

Amassed with shining white sands and clean water, the Kite Beach buzzes with lots of water sports activities. You can go swimming, windsurfing, play beach volleyball, have a sun bath, and do all the  craziest things within the boundary of laws here.  For all the kite lovers, this beach is a heaven. In fact, the beach got its name because of the numbers of the kite surfers thronging this place.


Umm Suqeim Beach

This beach is perfect for families who want to teach their children windsurfing as it is not crowded like other beaches. It is also called the Sunset Beach because it offers an ideal spot to view the setting sun. A park across the beach at a walking distance also makes the beach more suitable as a family spot because of the play area for the children. But the best thing about the beach is a chance to see and take a selfie with the Burj Al Arab.

Al Mamzar Beach Park

If you are looking for a clean beach with safe water for swimming and snorkeling, then you must visit this beach. It has been awarded with Blue Flag certification as safe for swimmers and snorkelers. Moreover, you get to visit five different beaches at the coast that sprawl to 5 km. The beach is ideal for a stroll as the sand is supple and white. The trees and green area near the beach is a perfect hangout for families and enjoying a barbecue. It is exclusively open for women and children on Sundays and Tuesdays.

Jebel Ali Beach

If sightseeing and beach enjoyment are on the top of your mind, then head to Jebel Ali Beach. Being at a distance away from the city, it is best for waters sports. It is usually hoarded with kite surfers. The Jebal Ali Beach Resort adjoining the beach is best of indulgence in food and massage. If you want to stay overnight at the beach, then take a camping permit from Dubai Municipality.

Ghantoot Beach

If spending for facilities does not worry you, then head to this private beach. You can access the beach in AED 100. The money spent will allow you to enjoy the pool, bars, cafes, and your favorite sports. The beach is managed by Golden Tulip Hotel that offers  equipment for water-skiing, wake boarding, and banana boating. The beach also has several volleyball nets. If access to just a day is not enough for you, you can rent a room at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Russian Beach

This beach has probably got its name due to its popularity among the people who came here for a job from Eastern Europe. It is also known as the JBR Open Beach. It has a 1.8 km long track for cycling, running, and walking with  your spouse and baby. The facilities at the beach also include children's play area, public utilities, lifeguards, and a cafeteria. Further, the beach road has lots of restaurants and cafes ready for your refreshments.

Black Palace Beach

If you want to see an unspoiled beach, then head to Al Sufoush Road to experience a beach in its rawness. You can take an SUV on the beach as long as you don't get stuck between the shrubs. Go there with chairs, towels, swimming gears, and everything you need to spend time on the beach as there is nothing available within a walking distance. This lack of facilities has made it  ideal for snapping photographs, sunbathing, and enjoying in solitude.  Besides, the beach offers a panoramic view of Palm Jumeriah.

Mercato Beach

This beach looks more like a lake as it is very short. The development activities going near the beach have compromised its length. However, it is best for a group that wants to enjoy with friends and doesn't get lost in the crowd. The beach has net-less goal posts for soccer enthusiasts. You can have the view of Burj Khalifa from here.

Madinat Jumeriah

Overlooking at the majestic Arabian Gulf and bathing in the view of the architectural miracle, Burj Al Arab is a dream sequence for any vacationer. Stay at the Al Qasr Hotel as it owns a beautiful 2 km beach from where you can see your imagination coming true. Enjoy the poolside barbecue with beverage, music and stunning views. Day passes for outsiders are also offered by the hotel, in case you don't want to stay at the hotel.




Whether you want to enjoy with a small group of friends, or your family, these 10 top beaches in Dubai are must visit.