When it comes to the United Arab Emirates, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is the luxurious and sophisticated Dubai. But heading north from Dubai, about fifty minutes by car, there is such a secret place.  

It has a completely different temperament from Dubai, combining majestic mountains, seas, and desert wonders with a hint of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. If Dubai is a carefully crafted future fantasy, then it is a natural epic full of primitive tension, while also not lacking in luxurious hotel experiences.  

This emirate called Rashima has given more imagination to Middle Eastern travel.

Watching antelopes grazing by the pool at the Ritz Carlton Desert Hotel, strolling through the authentic folk culture village Christmas market, and experiencing a meditation accompanied by the mountain breeze and sunset

These precious fragments and moments constitute my memories of Rashima.

High altitude zip line, mountain climbing and hiking

The "mountains" and "sands" of Rashima are not separate camps, they together form the bones and skin of this land. The Hajer Mountains are like a huge natural barrier, spanning the east for 70 million years.

Driving up in a spiral, outside the window were rocky mountains carved by the wind and scorching sun, stretching all the way to the sky. There was almost no vegetation, only deep and light shades of ochre and earthy yellow, presenting a rough and spectacular texture in the sunlight.  

Conquering the summit of Mount Jais in the United Arab Emirates is a mandatory course for every adventurer who comes here. You can choose between two ways: flying with your body or measuring with your feet.

The iconic project of Mount Jais is the Jais Flight, the world's longest high-altitude zip line with a length of three kilometers.

Standing at an altitude of 1680 meters, with a deep valley beneath my feet and only the sound of the wind in my ears, I secured my safety lock and leaped forward, and the 'Flight of Jais' began. Sliding for nearly three kilometers, with a top speed of up to 150 kilometers per hour, the wind howled in my ears, and my body seemed to break free from all constraints, transforming into an eagle and falcon, gliding over the bare ridges. The pure sense of freedom brought by speed was irreplaceable.  

If you feel that a single flight is not satisfying enough, "Jais Sky Journey" offers a more complete aerial adventure package. It is connected by six zip lines of varying lengths, with a total length of about 5 kilometers, like a string of aerial bead chains. You need to slide from one platform to another and cross a suspended rope bridge in the middle.  

The whole process lasts about 2 hours, not only experiencing the thrill of multiple flights (with an average speed of about 60 kilometers per hour), but also stopping briefly on the highest "Sky Bridge" at an altitude of 1250 meters, quietly and with a hint of satisfaction after conquest, overlooking the panoramic view of this ancient mountain range below.

After the zip line, you can take a break at the Pro1484 restaurant, accompanied by the endless mountain scenery, and taste world-class cuisine.

Of course, if you don't love extreme sports yourself, then like me, taking a small hike at Camp 1770 is also a good way to experience this land. Walking to the border monument between Oman and the United Arab Emirates and listening to ethereal singing from the other side of the mountain is also a unique and magical experience.

The most unforgettable thing is the sound healing at sunset. We lay on the blanket, relaxing our bodies, listening to the distant sound of the crystal bowl slowly swinging away, creating a wonderful collision with the silence of the mountain. We took a nap and woke up to enjoy a surprising sunset.

Unique scenery, brief Safari

The desert is another peaceful yet turbulent world. The sand dunes have soft lines, and at sunrise and sunset, their velvet like texture spreads out towards the horizon, often with plants growing inside, showcasing extraordinary vitality.  

Aham Folk Culture Village is a representative village in the desert. As the only fully preserved historical pearl picking village in the Gulf region, stepping into this place feels like stepping into an unfinished historical manuscript.

The cultural village has a large scale, retaining fortresses, watchtowers, mosques, markets, and traditional courtyard residences of various sizes. There are both broken walls and orderly courtyards.  

When we arrived, the Christmas market had just opened, and the buildings with small lights were highlighted by the sunset, making them even more beautiful. There were also local handicrafts or snacks that could be purchased at will.

Starting from February next year, there will be an art festival held here, which will surely unleash a different kind of excitement.

If you want to further explore the local cultural scenery, then the only mountain fortress in the UAE that has been preserved to this day, Daya Fort, is also worth a visit, where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of mountains and seas. The 12 Wadi Suk stone tombs at the bottom of the mountain can be traced back to 2000-1300 BC.

Of course, the best way to systematically understand the history of Las Palmas is to visit the Las Palma National Museum. The museum was originally the residence of the ruling Kavasim family, rebuilt and restored after the war, and is itself a site worth exploring.

Nowadays, museums showcase the cultural heritage of the Emirate from prehistoric times to modern times through a large number of archaeological and ethnographic collections, presenting the exploration stories of how residents moved from this land to distant worlds such as India, China, and Zanzibar, and are still being continuously improved.

Las Hayma Ritz Carlton Desert Hotel

To truly experience the desert, there is nothing better than living in it. The Las Hayma Ritz Carlton Desert Hotel, occupying several square kilometers of pristine desert, can fill all imaginations of desert dwelling. Antelope, camel, and desert fox are the true owners of this land.

Entering the hotel is stepping into the modern chapter of 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The color of the building is consistent with the desert, and the careful maintenance of large areas of green plants is particularly difficult here. The grand open corridor, high glass roofed lobby, and numerous white curtains create a unique Arabic style.

101 independent villas are scattered like pearls in the vast sand sea, ensuring ultimate privacy and openness. The basic pool villa covers an area of 158 square meters, and you can also receive greetings from antelopes while taking a bath by the pool.

The most unforgettable experience was following a guide to a small Safari, crossing the desert, searching for antelopes, and experiencing a completely different emotional experience from the city.

Explore pearl farms

The coastline of Las Haima stretches for about 68 kilometers and has a unique geographical pattern of "mountains on the back, sea on the surface, and connected by lagoons". Its western side faces the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf), with some areas adjacent to the Gulf of Oman.

The color of the seawater here is rich in layers, often presenting a unique blue-green color near the coast, and gradually transitioning to a deep blue color outward. Mangrove forests are distributed along the coastline, while in areas such as Manar Island, there is a healthy coral reef ecosystem, making it a paradise for diving and snorkeling.

It is this warm sea area with high salinity and pure water quality that provides the perfect growth environment for pearl oysters, and the history of pearl collection here has lasted for over 7000 years. Therefore, visiting pearl farms in person is a very worthwhile experience.

The Suwadi Pearl Farm we went to is a two-story floating wooden house located in the sea, preserving the traditional lifestyle of a pearl harvesting village. During the boat ride, you can also enjoy the sea view on the way.  

Against the backdrop of mountain rocks, the deep blue contrasts sharply with the earthy yellow, making the sea appear more peaceful and vast.

Within three hours, the staff will introduce the pearl farming process, local farming history, and the work process of pearl collectors one by one. They will also personally open oysters, allowing us to witness the birth of pearls together.

During lunch, we also tasted the local specialty Arabic spicy chicken rice and desserts, and like other tourists, briefly immersed ourselves in their lives.

One of the biggest surprises of this trip was the hotel SO/Ras Al Khaimah. SO is Ennismore, a joint venture under Accor, the first all inclusive resort in the Middle East, which has just opened.

The hotel is located at the entrance of the man-made wonder of Majun Island, backed by the vast contours of the Hajar Mountains and the tranquil ecology of ancient mangroves, facing the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea, and taking in the four fold natural symphony of "mountains, sea, sand, and forest" in Lashaima.

SO's design draws inspiration from the natural tones of the land and contemporary art, with a concise and bright yet avant-garde and fashionable atmosphere.  

In the guest room, the golden orange of the setting sun, the warm brown of the sandstone, the deep blue of the sea, and the various greenery of the mangrove forest together create an immersive world of colors.

In terms of material, the lightness of light walnut wood is juxtaposed with the texture of sandstone, creating a warm, elegant, and highly modern atmosphere.

The all inclusive model elevates the overall living experience of the hotel to a higher level. The Market restaurant serves a rich buffet from morning to evening. We love sitting on the terrace, accompanied by the cool sea breeze, chatting until sunset and the moon rises.

Of course, the hotel also offers a more diverse range of dining options, with the Levant restaurant Hadaba capturing the taste buds with local flavors; Chiano, who specializes in Italian Mediterranean cuisine, showcases the beauty of the sea and land on his tongue; Two swimming pool bars, Cabini and bungalow (adult only), play happily every day until 11 o'clock.

The gymnasium with french window and sea view is definitely one of the places worth feeling after meals.

Las Hayma Ritz Carlton Beach Hotel

Lashaima owns two Ritz, like the song "Ice and Fire", one in the desert and the other by the sea. The Ritz Carlton, Las Palmas Beach Hotel embodies the privacy and tranquility of the ocean. The special arrival method where guests need to take a boat to the exclusive dock is like the beginning of a dream journey in itself.

There are only 32 villas here, and the tent style roof structure blends seamlessly with the natural landscape. All villas face the magnificent sea view of the Arabian Gulf and are equipped with private swimming pools and direct access to the beach. Each building has a garden that is two to three times the size of the villa, and the abundance of lush greenery alone shows what RC's luxury is.

At this resort, guests can freely choose their dining location according to their preferences and mood. The comprehensive activities from snorkeling, kayaking to desert exploration are always prepared for travelers who crave deep exploration of the local area.

Soaring in the sky, overlooking the land

For a emirate like Rashima, which has unique geographical features of mountains, sea, and sand, viewing from a different angle in the air is like an Easter egg.  

The local Algezira Aviation Club is one of the best places for this experience to take place. As the first ultra light and light sport aircraft club approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, it has become a platform for countless aviation enthusiasts to experience speed and passion.

Under the guidance of a professional coach, we soared into the sky and embarked on our first aerial experience with a two seater ultra light aircraft. Under him, Rashima unfolded a completely different picture, presented in the form of thumbnails.

The patterns of the desert are as clear as a carving, and the coastline separates the emerald green sea water from the golden sand land. Everything is so open, and during the flight, I have a private, bird's-eye view of this land.Editor/Bian Wenjun