Al Ain is a beautiful garden city in the Buraimi Oasis. Rising from Abu Dhabi's dry desert sands, it is the greenest city in Arabia and a settlement dating back to the 4th millennium BC. As the birthplace of the current ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Zayed, the town has enjoyed special treatment in recent years, and has glistening fountains, tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings. It is home to the country's largest museum and its biggest zoo. Visit in the milder winter months and explore ancient archaeological sites, or in summer to escape the coastal humidity.

History

The area, historically known as the Buraimi Oasis, has been continuously inhabited for more than four thousand years and Al Ain is considered central to the cultural heritage of the country. It is the birthplace of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Today the name Buraimi refers to the Omani town whose urban area merges with that of Al Ain. Until September 14, 2006, Al Ain and Buraimi enjoyed an open border and functioned as one.On September 14th, the UAE government closed the open border and required all individuals to clear immigrations both entering and leaving the UAE. Gulf nationals cross the border at the main crossing whereas, expats are required to cross at either the Hili or "Intercontinental" border crossings. There are numerous underground water springs in the area, which explain its attractiveness as an area of settlement. Traces of its traditional past remain, including camel racing and breeding. The ancient falaj system of irrigation is still in use in some areas distributing underground water by a network of tunnels emerging eventually into open channels whose flow can be directed and regulated.

Getting Around Al Ain

Tourist Sites

Oasis known for its underground irrigation system "falaj" which is used to bring water from boreholes to irrigate and water farms and palm trees. Falaj is an ancient irrigation system that dates back thousands of years ago and is used widely in Oman, UAE, China, Iran and many other countries. Al Ain has 7 oases; the largest is Al Ain Oasis which is located just south of town center and the smallest is Al Jahili oasis. The rest are: Qattara, Al Mutaredh, Al Jimi, Al Muaiji, and Hili.

Hafeet Mountain. A very well known landmark in the Emirate and viewed as one of the highest mountains in the country. It is 1350 meters high and linked to the city by a 13-km long road. The top of the mountain is well provided with all required facilities and utilities that avail pleasure, easiness and comfort for visitors. At the bottom of the mountain is the Mabzarah Valley, which is a magnificent tourist place full of mineral water springs, swimming pools for men and ladies separately. A few miles afar from the mountain are the resorts and gardens of Ain Al-Faiydha which is a famous touristic resort surrounded by spacious public parks and gardens. The place is well provided by facilities such as a mosque, a motel, restaurants, outdoor games and fun area

Al-Ain Museum. Built in 1970 upon supreme directives by the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It contains four sections, the first is dealing with the inhabitants social life (Ethnographical), the second is displaying antiques discovered in the city, the third is displaying the phases of oil discovery and exploitation, whereas the fourth is displaying the souvenirs and gifts presented to His Highness, President of the UAE by various world kings and presidents

Al-haili Archaeology. Al-Haili is an attractive archaeological place that stands to prove how far the city of Al-Ain is ancient. Already discovered archaeological pieces are dating 2000 years B.C.