The enormous Dubai Mall is an interesting place to visit even if you do not wish to go shopping in the huge range of shops. It has the entrance to the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifi (previously reviewed), a skating rink and a waterfall with life sized models apparently diving down it. It also has the world’s largest sweet shop if that sort of thing interests you.
Additionally it is home to the Dubai Aquarium – the largest suspended aquarium in the world, home to thousands of aquatic animals including well over 100 sharks and rays. There is an enormous acrylic panel which extends over three floors of the Mall so you can see the fish from many places. It is possible to pay and go through a tunnel and see penguins etc but we were happy to just look from the Mall. The main problem is that there are very few places to sit in the Mall except in the restaurants so it can become tiring.
Outside the Mall are the Dubai Fountains set in a man-made lake. I consider these a ”must see” if you are in Dubai. It is another of the “world’s largest” that the U.A.E. is fond of. The fountain is animated with performances set to light and music and can be seen from all around the lake as well as from the many restaurants on the outside of the Mall. There are several performances each day, set to different musical themes. We first went at night when it was quite crowded but the next day we went during the afternoon and could watch easily from wherever we wanted.
