Beyond biennales and beaches, Sharjah hides wonders that slow time and stir the soul, writes Abhilasha Ojha
Walk slowly and the ‘rain’ won’t fall on you,” says our guide shortly after we enter Rain Room. This permanent art installation found its way to Sharjah in 2018 under the aegis of Sharjah Art Foundation, a contemporary arts institution behind the facelift of the emirate that's increasingly being viewed as one of the most important art destinations around the world. The installation, a crowd-puller for those visiting Sharjah, allows people to walk through a downpour without getting wet through a complex technological system that uses 2,500 litres of self-cleaning recycled water.
Some of us are drenched; the installation is unable to grasp the movement through the darkened space that’s only lit with what looks like a lone floodlight. While some in our group giggle that they can’t walk slowly, others wonder if the business of busyness in hectic cities has made us anxious and impatient. A trip to the Rain Room, then, becomes a journey into inwardness, with every step taken mindfully. It’s the Buddha walk that allows us to experience the installation for what it is: being dry — well, almost — while around you the pitter-patter of the rain continues unabated. It’s a moment to be experienced, especially given that there isn't another permanent installation like this one anywhere else in the world.
In the four days spent in Sharjah, Rain Room is just one of the many blissful moments to soak in during our four-day trip to this emirate that is bursting with tourist attractions: art galleries, museums, butterfly parks, picturesque safaris, centuries-old fossil mountains, beaches, mangroves, hiking trails, archaeological sites, and more. While the Sharjah Biennale’s 16th edition continues drawing in tourists with its compelling art — over 650-plus works by 190 artists across 17 venues in Sharjah – the emirate’s continuing impetus on all the arts makes for a compelling, chock-a-block cultural calendar, be it music, literature, photography, and various other festivals.
The emirate’s spectacular Light Festival, concluded barely two months ago, for instance, is a surreal experience. While walking around Sharjah Mosque, listening to the sonorous evening prayers from outside, we watch, transfixed, as the building's illuminated façade and minarets come alive through dazzling 360-degree 3D video mapping production for vivid, stylised architectural projections. Similarly, witnessing the immersive light installation, inspired by Sharjah’s coral reefs, in the evening hours at the breezy Al Majaz Waterfront, or the 3D dynamic video mapping show at Rafisah Dam — a fun, family getaway for water-sport activities — is an invitation into a choreography of light, colour, and music for an unforgettable experience.
As a destination, Sharjah has a rare gift — it can be a family destination with something for everyone — kids, parents, grandparents — while allowing for moments that people can call their own. In Big Red, the imposing dune in unique hues of saffron and red in UNESCO-nominated Mleiha, which is in Sharjah’s central region, people can opt for adrenaline-thumping activities such as dune bashing, quad biking, and sand skiing but be equally at ease to gaze quietly towards centuries-old fossil rocks. Ditto when you sit and look at the rock formations from a glass wall housed inside Mleiha Archaeological Centre — this is perhaps one of Earth’s earliest formations with rocks being millions of years old and portions of the palaeo formations getting compared by experts to the surface on Mars. To gaze out at this wonder is a reminder of both, the permanence and the temporariness of nature. It’s a similar feeling when we walk through the mangroves to see trees that are hundreds of years old, still standing tall and magnificent, with roots that, despite being old, are still strong.
Though weeks can be spent discovering gems in the lanes and bylanes of any destination, in a short period in Sharjah we get a sense of the emirate’s spirit with its vibrant culture and art. We become excited children when we spot birds and beasts in Sharjah Safari, the largest in the world outside of Africa. We giggle and pose for photos in the renovated ‘Heart of Sharjah’ against the backdrop of imposing centuries-old archways and intricately carved doors in colourful kaftans and jalabiyas (traditional Emirati attire before abaya started getting worn by women). We playfully compete in the “who’s-bateeth-is-‘most’-round-in-shape” competition, strike poses in Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, eat from food carts, and chat away nonstop while also shopping in 100-plus-years-old renovated souks. Eating traditional Arabic meals in some of the iconic, legacy-brand restaurants; buying saffron and dates, and unwinding in the prettiest of properties, we do it all in Sharjah.
Where to stay:
Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa: A well-located luxury hotel with a private beach.
Al Badayer Retreat by Sharjah Collection: Inspired by caravanserai, this place has a choice of private tents and traditional home accommodation, making it ideal for couple getaways or family holidays.
Najd Al Meqsar Hotel by Sharjah Collection: Restored and renovated, this is a homage to the centuries-old site in Sharjah with seven rooms with modern amenities. [Avoid if travelling with elderly]
Where to eat:
Try the restaurants at Chedi Al Bait Hotel offering traditional and global cuisine
Hosn Khorfakkan, Khorfakkan: Specialising in traditional Emirati food, its Majbous chicken, shwarmas, grills and kebabs are popular.
Kalba Kingfisher Retreat: A great place to stay, the restaurant here offers interesting eating options and beverages
Where to go:
Rain Room: A permanent ‘rain’ art installation like no other
Butterfly Park, Al Noor Island: Teeming with various species of butterflies, don’t miss the imposing art installations spread across
Sharjah Mosque: The largest mosque in Sharjah known for its architecture
Dr Sultan Al-Qasimi Centre: Housing the personal collection of the current and 11th ruler of the Emirate, the works here range from vintage maps, artworks, rare photographs, artefacts, books and much else
Al Majaz Waterfront: A fun destination with several dining and shopping options
Buhais Geology Park: Housing marine fossils from over 65 million years ago, spectacular mountain ranges, and ancient burial sites from the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages.
Mleiha National Park: Home to stellar views of red sand dunes, you can indulge in glamping, star gazing, dune bashing
Sharjah Safari: The world’s largest safari outside of Africa is home to spectacular scenery and animals. The pre-recorded commentary in vehicles is informative and fun