Madinat Jumeirah, Middle Eastern resort complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Madinat Jumeirah is a resort complex with traditional Arabian architecture in Dubai that covers a large area. The buildings connect through artificial waterways where wooden boats transport guests between different sections.
Construction of the complex began in the early 2000s when Dubai aimed to develop into a major travel destination. The design drew from historical Arabian settlements with water channels and traditional building forms.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a built reconstruction of a traditional market, holding 75 small shops that mainly sell antiques, handicrafts and quality Middle Eastern foods. The resort also has 45 restaurants, bars and cafés, and the Madinat Theatre, Dubai's first and only theatre, with 432 seats, staging international productions.
The complex includes three hotels and numerous restaurants accessible through walkways and boat connections. The boat rides operate regularly during the day and offer a practical way to move between sections.
The grounds contain 29 summer houses designed after traditional Arabian residential structures that offer an alternative to regular hotel rooms. These houses feature private courtyards and individual access to the waterways.
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