Dubai is a symbol of opulence not only in the Middle East but in the whole world. It is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and it serves as a home to about 3 million people. Backed by and made rich by oil and trade, Dubai is a bustling city that is on the frontier of modernization and luxury.

When it comes to luxurious travels, Dubai is one of the places that is most coveted. When you visit this place (or if you actually live here), you will see that it is a place where money is not an object. It is a paradise for the filthy rich where the word “expensive” does not exist.

If ever you are in Dubai (or plan to go to this place), here are a few things that you never thought existed but actually do in this city. These mind-blowing things seem like a figment of the imagination but they are part of reality and everyday life in Dubai.

15. Gold ATM Machines That Dispense Gold Bars

Dubai really knows luxury because around the city, you cannot only find regular ATMs that dispense cash, but there are also ATMs that dispense gold bars. Yes, gold bars! How awesome is that! Actually, even the machine is coated with a layer of gold. Just when you thought it was super convenient to have access to an ATM that allows you to withdraw money, Dubai is even cooler with its gold bar ATMs.

So, when you need gold bars instantly for whatever purpose, you know where to get them. Gold bar ATMs are conveniently located even inside hotels and malls in Dubai.

14. Gold cars

Gold is a symbol of opulence and it is something that people in Dubai are really fond of. Yes, they already have super fast cars that have high price tags and still, that kind of luxury is not enough yet. To make anyone who sees these cars say, “WTF!” the owners even decided to embellish their cars in shining, shimmering gold.

What is even more amazing is that even if the owners know that these cars cost a fortune, they just park them by the roadside. These flashy cars are almost always subject to many selfies taken by common passersby. And this is a surefire way to get noticed by the ladies if anyone is asking.

13. Air-conditioned bus stops

We all know how hot it can get in Dubai. After all, it is in the Middle East. All year round, the city feels like summer and the weather only goes from hot to hotter, and vice-versa. Still, we did not expect that they will need air-conditioned bus stops in this city. The thought of it may be too much but it is Dubai after all. They built hotels, malls, and even large communities that have a controlled temperature so why not have a small vestibule like an air-conditioned bus stop, right?

In Dubai, if you are not rich (because you are not driving your own Lamborghini and you are taking the bus), you still travel in luxury with these air-conditioned bus stops.

12. Epic police cars

When you violate a street law in Dubai, there is no point trying to escape because you will definitely get caught and apprehended. Why? It is because the city has the most insane fleet of police cars. Apparently, Dubai’s police force has the fastest supercar in the world, the Bugatti Veyron. So, even if you are driving a fast car, it is no match for their cars. The Veyron can go from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds and boasts a top speed of 253 mph.

Aside from the Veyron, Dubai’s police force also has Ferrari FF and Lamborghini Aventador units.

11. Exotic pets

People in Dubai love having pets just like the rest of us. However, not like the rest of us who settle for dogs and cats as pets, they have a more exquisite taste in terms of house pets. Some of the most exotic pets in this city of swag include cheetahs, tigers, and lions. The super rich really knows how to flaunt their dominance even when it comes to pets.

Only in Dubai can you see pet owners walk their lion cubs or ride on their lions. Some even bring their pets on road trips or take them for a stroll in the desert.

10. Camels as means of transportation

Mostly desert, camels are aplenty in Dubai. Therefore, you can see them being used as means of transportation in the desert. They carry goods and people from one place to another in the scorching desert. Even if there are already many expensive supercars on the streets of Dubai, some still go old school and use camels.

Although often, riding camels is done for tourism, especially when tourists go on a desert safari. Still, it gives an experience of a lifetime because you can rarely ride a camel in real life! Just be careful because camels are notorious for being a little moody and will have no qualms about biting you.

9. Free food for those who have no money

In Dubai, they help out the poor and unemployed get by every day with free food. There are many cabinets of free food and drinks around available for those who have no money or work as of the moment. This food, that they give out can go a long way, can really help many people. However, they request that the people only take one piece at a time. As much as Dubai is criticized for its opulent and extravagant lifestyle, it is important to point out that they also take care of the poor and downtrodden too.

You won’t easily find this kind of help anywhere else, but it seems that in Dubai, generosity comes a long, long way.

8. Traffic jam of luxury cars

Traffic jam is inevitable even in one of the richest cities in the world. However, unlike traffic jams anywhere, the traffic jam in Dubai is like a runway fashion show of luxury cars. There was even this incident in the city that a certain traffic jam broke the record of having the most Ferrari cars in one instance. If you find yourself in the middle of a traffic jam then you might as well be stuck in style inside an expensive, luxury car. Maybe then you won’t complain as much.

When we, normal earthlings, experience traffic jam, it is just so boring. However, in Dubai, traffic jam can be a feast for the eyes and a road show for luxury car enthusiasts.

7. Posh workaround for traffic jams

As we have mentioned, even in the most advanced countries, traffic jam is inevitable. With more and more cars coming out yet the roads are not getting wider, and it is expected that there will be more traffic jams especially during rush hour. However, in Dubai, the rich know how to do away with traffic. Only in Dubai can you see a luxury car airlifted by a helicopter so that the driver won’t have to waste time in a traffic jam.

This is a rare sight that will definitely make you utter, “WTF!” This kind of luxury travel only happens in Dubai.

6. Biggest mall in the world

The Dubai Mall at the base of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, is the biggest mall in the world in terms of land area. This commercial mecca has over 1,200 stores that offer some of the best brands you can think of. In 2011, this mall took the record as the most visited mall in the world.

Aside from stores, the Dubai Mall has the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Rainforest Cafe, Reel Cinemas, Olympic-size skating rink, and more. It gives a one-of-a-kind shopping mall experience that will make your jaw drop. So if you have some cash to spend then the Dubai Mall is your ideal destination.

5. Giant indoor ski park

Just when you thought the desert cannot get colder during the night, Dubai changes this by building one of the largest indoor ski parks in the world, the Ski Dubai. This indoor ski park is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, which is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. The indoor ski park has five major slopes and it comes complete with a quad lift and a tow lift that skiers and snowboarders can ride going up.

The ski park is also a home to penguins that come out of their cages every now and then. Skiers can book in advance to interact with the penguins.

4. Massive man-made archipelago

Dubai is defined by luxury. Hence, when it does something, it does it big. One of the most amazing architectural and engineering project in Dubai is the massive artificial archipelago, the Palm Jumeirah. This archipelago is composed of three main Palm Islands including the Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Deira, and the Palm Jebel Ali.

The Palm Jumeirah offers opulent hotels, resorts, and residences. Apparently, there are even Hollywood celebrities who own properties in the Palm Jumeirah. If you want a prime real estate spot here you will probably be placed in a waiting list…for a very long time.

The best view of this archipelago is from above so to enjoy such view, it is best to skydive here.

3. Flower garden in the middle of the desert

You might think this is somewhere in Europe or Southeast Asia and not in the middle of a hot desert but you are wrong. In this city that always amazes people, they have the Dubai Miracle Garden. The name really suits it because it is mind-blowing to find a flower garden at the heart of a burning desert. Also, it is a miracle to see bright colours in the desert because oftentimes we think deserts are boring and lifeless.

The open air natural garden is home to over 109 million flowers. The garden is closed during the hot months of June to September since it is not advisable to stay outdoors for long periods of time then.

2. “Seven-star” hotel

Technically, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is a five-star hotel but due to the luxury it offers, many call it the only “seven-star” hotel in the world. The sail-shaped hotel is known as the third tallest building in the world and it offers all kinds of luxury that you can think of. It was built with sheer engineering genius as it sits at the tip of an artificial island. The 202-room hotel is known for having one of the most expensive rooms in the world, the Royal Suite. This room has a whopping price per night of $24,000. They say that it is a room fit for royalty.

1. Tallest building in the world

The tallest building in the world is in Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is an iconic building in Dubai and it is one of the attractions that tourist flock to. Many tourists (and even locals) go here to climb all the way to the top of the building to have a different view of the world. On a clear day, one can see the shores of Iran when on the viewing deck of Burj Khalifa.

Aside from the building, an amazing view in this area is the Dubai Fountain. A fountain show happens on a certain schedule where water and lights play in synchronicity with classical or contemporary music in the background.