The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has recently intensified its promotional efforts for the Al Ain region, positioning it as a core destination that showcases the UAE's cultural traditions and natural landscapes. Key highlights worthy of in-depth exploration by travel trade professionals include cultural heritage, nature and adventure tourism, and historical royal landmarks .

Al Ain is a desert oasis city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, located near the Omani border and just a short drive from Abu Dhabi city. As the ancestral birthplace of the people of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain possesses a profound historical legacy. Local attractions such as the Al Ain Museum, the UAE National Auto Museum, and the Founder's Memorial trace the historical narrative from traditional crafts (such as weaving, glassblowing, and metal forging) to modern development . Leveraging the nearby hilly terrain and the Liwa Oasis, specialized routes like desert off-road highlight the region's diverse natural conditions . The Al Ain Palace (the former palace of the late President Sheikh Zayed) serves as a core attraction, with architectural origins dating back to 1937 and historical value as a museum open to the public.

Al Ain. Source: unsplash.com@Swag Photography

Top Five Must-Do Experiences: Mountains, Oases, Zoo, and Authentic Cultural Encounters

DCT Abu Dhabi emphasizes that Al Ain, with its profound cultural heritage, has been designated the "Gulf Tourism Capital" for 2025 and is known as the "Garden City," perfectly blending historical depth, natural beauty, and thrilling experiences .

The top five must-do experiences include: climbing Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi's highest peak; strolling through the Al Ain Oasis; visiting Al Ain Zoo to encounter over 4,000 animals; experiencing thrilling activities such as rafting, kayaking, and ziplining at Al Ain Adventure Park; and immersing oneself in the authentic cultural atmosphere of the Al Ain Camel Market. In addition, historical sites such as Bida Bint Saud, Hili Archaeological Park, Al Jahili Fort, and Qasr Al Muwaiji, as well as the Al Qattara Arts Centre, Jebel Hafeet Desert Park, Green Mubazzarah, and the therapeutic salt caves, are also gaining increasing attention from Chinese tourists .

Significant Growth in the Chinese Market: Al Ain Well-Suited for In-Depth Customization and Study Tour Products

Abu Dhabi aims to achieve 39.3 million annual visitors by 2030, create 178,000 new tourism-related jobs, expand hotel room capacity to 50,000, and contribute AED 90 billion to GDP . Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that Abu Dhabi's vision is deeply rooted in creating authentic, innovative, and memorable experiences for all visitors, with a particular focus on the growing Chinese market . According to DCT Abu Dhabi data, the number of Chinese overnight visitors to Abu Dhabi reached 268,000 in 2024 alone, and flight capacity from China to Abu Dhabi has grown by 29% . Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports valid for more than six months can enter the UAE visa-free for a maximum stay of 30 days .

This article is republished from TTG China .

First Review: Zhang Congxiao
Second Review: Bao Gang
Third Review: Pan Kaiyue