The Waterfall, Indoor waterfall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Waterfall is a large indoor water feature inside the Dubai Mall, spanning four levels with two cylindrical structures. Each cylinder is covered with a thin sheet of falling recycled water and lined with fibreglass figures of pearl divers.

It opened in early 2009, a few months after the mall itself, and was designed by DP Architects of Singapore. The artwork was created by architect Toh Sze Chong, who drew on the region's long connection to diving for pearls.

The diving figures recall the pearl diving that once supported families along this coast. Visitors often stop to take photos with the divers, and the surrounding cafes feel like a natural pause point inside the mall.

It is easy to view from several floors, but the ground level gives the closest look and the balconies above offer a wider view. The water runs during mall opening hours, and it helps to agree on a specific floor if you plan to meet someone there.

The falling water creates an optical effect that makes the divers appear to be moving downward while the water looks still. The roof above the cylinders can open or close depending on the weather, which changes how daylight touches the installation.