Sqwheels of joy

There's culture, there's history there's fine arts, there's entertainment ... In short, there's a lot to see, hear and do in Sharjah, discovers Shiva Kumar Thekkepat on a recent visit to the cultural hub of the UAE.

The brief was to spend a day out in Sharjah. Not a very exciting prospect, one felt, especially considering that many residents of the emirate tend to make a beeline for neighbouring Dubai at the slightest excuse. However, if you do make a trip there, you will realise that one day or even a week is hardly sufficient to enjoy the sights and sounds of the emirate which has something for adults and kids alike.

Sharjah is different from all other emirates. By emphasising its heritage and culture, this emirate, which boasts some fine examples of classical Islamic architecture, has carved an identity all its own.

The defining moment occurs the moment you enter it.

After driving past a fairly uninteresting row of buildings dotting either side of the road, the first striking structure that grabs your attention is without doubt the glistening Qanat Al Qasba.

While most people have seen this landmark, many do not know what it really signifies. For most kids, it is the site of the giant ferris wheel, an icon that is almost as familiar as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. But for the record, the Qanat is a – hold your breath – 10,000-acre cultural, entertainment and leisure destination that has a 300-seat theatre, a 1,500-square metre arts exhibition area, canals and, of course, the Eye of the Emirates, the 60-metre-high ferris wheel.

On weekends and holidays, Qanat Al Qasba turns festive. It becomes an almost perfect community location to enjoy the balmy winter climate.

A waterfront location, a canal with three pedestrian bridges across it leading to a number of restaurants and cafés on its banks, it also has a stylish mixture of oriental and contemporary European architecture set in a relaxed tone.

I decide to stroll around the area and soon come across the theatre I've heard so much about – the Masrah Al Qasba. Musical shows and plays are staged here and the most recent one was an international production of the opera La Traviata. A little away is the 1,500-square metre exhibition area where cultural and educational, local as well as international, activities are held.

If you have kids in tow you'll surely be tugged towards the Eye of the Emirates, which officials insist on calling an observatory wheel. The view from its highest point is just spectacular.

Its 42 futuristic cabins are air-conditioned and can carry so many people at a time that you rarely have to cool your heels waiting for your turn on the ground.

The guide tells me the Eye of the Emirates attracted more than 5,000 visitors during the recent Eid. "The four-day celebration that was held at the venue attracted over 50,000 visitors," says an official.

You can also take a tour of the lagoons in the traditional abras (wooden boats) cruising the canal. I plan to return soon. Once is definitely not enough at the Qanat Al Qasba!

A culture trip

While Abu Dhabi and Dubai have their unique attractions, Sharjah is considered to be the cultural capital of the federation. An international art biennale has been a regular feature here since 1993.

Almost every visitor and resident will agree that Sharjah is working hard to ensure that it remains the cultural capital of the federation: a number of areas in the city centre are being reconstructed in the old architectural style, some with remnants of the original building materials. The largest of these is the Heritage Area.

Another is the Art Area in Al Shuwaihiyeen district. This was developed in the '90s and comprises many institutions of fine arts.

The Souq Al Bahar includes five heritage buildings and a mosque with architectural features dating back to the 18th century. It is a dream destination for the art connoisseur. The Art Café, Art Studio, Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah Arts Center, Sharjah Arts Galleries, Sharjah Arts Museum and Very Special Art Center are all located in this area.

The art district is dominated by the Sharjah Art Museum, a compact structure with battlements and elegant wind towers. The last however are purely traditional decorative elements. After the museum opened in 1995, it was expanded over the next two years and it now has 1,11,000 square metres of exhibition space. Every two years, it serves as the site for the International Biennale of Contemporary Art.

Haven for history lovers

If history is your passion, as it is mine, just step across to the Heritage Area. Sharjah, as I was to discover, is a haven for history lovers. It abounds in museums. At last count 25! Take your pick: the Archaeological Museum, Heritage Museum, Art Museum, Science Museum and Planetarium, Discovery Center, Al Mahatah Museum, Police Museum, Natural History Museum and Islamic Museum.

The Heritage Area alone houses the Islamic Museum, Heritage Museum, Al Hisn Fort and Museum, apart from several smaller ones.

Truly unique

But what caught my immediate attention was the uniqueness of the Discovery Center, said to be the first interactive museum of its kind in the UAE. Located about 15 kms from the city on Al Dhaid Road, it is especially designed for children up to the age of 13, to teach them the role of science and technology in their everyday lives. This is a must-visit place for children.

The exhibits are grouped into thematic areas that reflect the child's living environment. The centre's many exhibition halls are decorated with bright colours and drawings to capture the imagination of the child.

There are several themes from which to learn about various aspects of the world in a practical manner. There is the Body Zone where children are taught about the various parts and functions of the human body; Drive Town teaches them road sense, driving a car and the mechanics of a car; Sharjah Airport is all about aircraft; Water World provides information on how fountains work, how dams are built, how boats sail ... Other themed areas include banks, shops, sports, etc.

The Centre has interactive games and play areas which give children a chance to practice and learn about the world around them. There are various sections dedicated to different fields of learning in an exciting and playful environment.

A driving track with miniature cars offers children an introduction to traffic rules and regulations. Children can also join craft clubs or watch educational videos.

To be honest, there's a lot that can even interest adults here but since I did not have much time and with the story deadline looming, I hurried on.

Baith Al Gharbi

A 200-year-old museum, Baith Al Gharbi in the Al Sheiyoukh area was restored and reopened to the public in the '90s. A prime example of Arabic architecture, it has different types of wind towers that rise above the building's main structure. The architectural location of these wind towers is said to be the unique feature of this traditional house. They certainly proved their efficacy – it was cool and soothing inside though the temperature outside was not.

In the centre of the south side stands a well that provided water for the family's needs.

Nature and the child

Running out of time, I decided to forgo the other museums for a peek into the Natural History Museum and Desert Park, almost bang opposite the Sharjah airport.

The person at the counter told me it "provides people with a chance to learn about the flora and fauna of the Arabian desert, and also have a relaxing and fun time". A trifle long winded but a fact, as I was about to discover.

Apart from the expected museum exhibits it also features a children's farm "to provide city children with a chance to have close contact with farm animals". The Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Animals is, however, not open to the public.

Various desert habitats in Sharjah are on exhibit in the main hall, including stuffed models of local animals. Two floors of the building are taken up by the Geology Hall, portraying the evolution of life on earth.

Audio-visual presentations about earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tectonic plate drift, the Big Bang theory, you name it, they exhibit it. Two-and-a-half hours of video material and many hours of reading require that you spend a lot of time.

There are local fossils and minerals as well as models of dinosaurs that of course did not exist locally. Rocks and fossils from all over the world are on display along with replicas of ancient forests and dinosaurs.

A piece of a meteor from outer space, perhaps the oldest rock in the world, fossils of raindrops, huge slabs of petrified wood and copper ore, all add up to collective gasps. You can even touch a fossilised 5-foot-tall dinosaur thighbone!

The best part is that this is not a museum where one has to speak in hushed voices. Sound and even smell are as much part of the experience as sight and touch.

Fibreglass models of fish from the Gulf and Indian Ocean that were caught in the waters off Sharjah, including a four-metre baby whale, adorn the Marine Hall.

A demonstration beehive, with bees flying in and out through a transparent tube, an incubation table where kids can watch eggs hatching were popular draws.

Outside, there are pens for camels, Arabian horses, donkeys, sheep, goats and cows, as well as areas for all kinds of poultry. You can even take a pony ride on a covered walkway.

It was late evening by the time I decided to return home. Driving back, I kept thinking about the sights and sounds I experienced.

I remember reading that Unesco designated Sharjah as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World in 1998 for its dedicated efforts towards preserving Arab art, cultural tradition and heritage.

Home to 25 museums says a lot about the city's awareness of its cultural roots.

Whether you want to trace Arabic history or just spend your time in souqs or outdoors, Sharjah is definitely the place to be. Oh yes, and I know where I'll be taking my kids this weekend.