Whenever someone visits Qatar, one not only gets to see ancient Islamic architecture there but also marvel at futuristic skyscrapers in its capital city, Doha.
This year, as the host of one of the world’s biggest sporting events – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Qatar is the top destination to visit for many people.
From Nov 21 to Dec 18, football fans and travellers from all over the globe (there are 32 teams participating in the tourney) are expected to gather in the “Pearl of Arabia” for this major event.
The innovative yet traditional looking stadiums in which the matches are set to play have been spruced up and are ready to captivate.
But besides football, what else can one do and experience in Qatar?
Well, for one thing, there are picturesque sand dunes and coastal lines to visit, amazing sculptures and architecture to see, and of course, delectable meals to try
These are just a handful of the things we experienced while on a trip to city of Doha recently to attend the match draws for the World Cup. This trip was made possible by Qatar Airways and its subsidiary, Discover Qatar.
Dune-bashing
One may perhaps associate the desert with harshness, but after spending a day in the sand dunes and then to the Inland Sea known as Khor Al Adaid, one is reminded that even in harsh terrains, there is always beauty.
However, before reaching said beauty, we were first “bashed”, but never dazed. We had to go through several dunes in a powerful four-wheel drive vehicle driven by our Yemeni driver Arif.
The trip reminded us of a rollercoaster ride. But unlike some dizzying rollercoaster rides, we actually wanted the drive to last just a little bit longer! Arif said that in his 17 years of experience as a dune driver, not many passengers would truly enjoy the ride; many would be scared instead.
Admittedly, the first few thrashes in the car were intense, but once we realised that we were in the safe hands of Arif, we started to enjoy the rough drive more during the hour-long journey to the Inland Sea.
In fact, we even told him that he could do more “dangerous” manoeuvres. To this, he reacted by putting on his Arabian music playlist and driving through some very rough terrains.
We stopped at the Sheraton Dune – a dune shaped like a pyramid that’s a popular tourist spot – to take some photos.
When we reached Khor Al Adaid, it was pristine and the sand was so fine it went through our hands like soft silk. The Inland Sea is one of only three places in the world where the sea meets the sand dunes, so being able to check this out was a real blessing.
The tidal embankment is also connected to the Arabian Gulf, and the whole place is shared between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. As it was a good day, we could actually see Saudi Arabia from where we stood in the dunes.
Pearl of Arabia
If you don’t know much about Qatar prior to your visit, then check out the National Museum for some lessons on the country’s history, culture, traditions and people.
It’s a brand new building with lots of artefacts, information and memorabilia from the past, present and future.
The building was opened to the public on March 28, 2019, replacing the previous one that was built in 1975. The new building was inspired by the desert rose crystal, a unique mineral in Qatar.
We learned a lot from the museum, and was able to see the country in a different light. Qatar was once an impoverished nation powered by merchants and pearl divers until they found some natural resources, mostly oil, that they could trade oninstead.
The country has the third-largest natural gas and oil reserves in the world today.
We also learned about the influences of the Al-Thani clan, who are now the rulers of the nation.
Qatar has the Pearl Carpet of Baroda too, a deer skin and silk heritage carpet that is valued at US$5.5mil (RM24mil) today. It was commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda Khande Rao Gaekwad in 1865.
Within the museum site you can also find Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani’s Palace, the heart of the Qatari national identity.
Steeped in history
To truly experience the Qatari lifestyle, one must pay a visit to the Souq Waqif.
To some, it is just a marketplace, but there is more to the place than that. This is where one goes to get a fill of captivating local stories.
Souq Waqif, which means standing market in Arabic, has its roots as a gathering place around the riverbed of Wadi Musheireb.
Locals would gather at the sides of the river to trade goods.
Land reclamation has long since pushed the sea back to the Corniche, and Wadi Musheireb is now a road, but more than a century later, the souq remains in the same site.
People from all walks of life gather at the souq to either buy or sell garments, spices, handicrafts, and many more.
You can also feast on some of the best Middle Eastern food in the area. Don’t forget to try the famous Karak Chai, Qatar’s very own masala tea.
Each souq area has a story to tell, inspired by the country’s merchants in the past who traded with many nations, especially India. This is why there is a major Indian influence when it comes to spices and even sweets.
Check out the Falcon Souq too, where various breeds of falcons are available for sale. Nearby, there is a state-of-the-art hospital that’s just for these prized falcons.
But what’s most captivating in the souq is the traditional Qatari architecture. In 2004, a massive fire wiped out many of the surrounding buildings, but they were rebuilt in the same style by 2006.
Resilience and culture perfectly encapsulate the vibe in Souq Waqif.
Modern look
Around the city of Doha, you can see sculptures made by prominent international artists, such as the Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst, East-West, West-East by Richard Serra, The Thumb by Cesar Baldaccini, and Smoke by Tony Smith.
Beyond the city, head to Katara (the former name of the country before it was re-named Qatar), a cultural village on the eastern coast.
And while Katara is steeped in cultural heritage and traditions, Msheireb is a whole different world from that.
This is where the world’s first sustainable regeneration project is located. Msheireb Downtown revives Doha’s old commercial district with a new architectural language.
You can explore the history of the nation through its four heritage houses – Jassim, Jelmood, Company and Radwani.
After that, walk along the street and see how sustainable designs meet their commercial objectives to shape the city of the future.
Qatar may be a small nation, but it packs quite a punch and has plenty to offer casual visitors.
If you are lucky enough to score some tickets to the World Cup matches, don’t just stay for the football. Take some time to visit and explore the many interesting sights in the Pearl of Arabia.
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