Doha City
If you are driving on a long stretch of road with the clear blue sea to your right and towering green palm trees to your left, it is clear that you are in the city of Doha. Doha is the capital city of Qatar, the major commercial centre of the country, which holds the main port. Located on the East Coast of the Peninsula, Doha has the perfect blend of a cultural and contemporary lifestyle. Hosting international conferences and seminars such as The Islamic Conference Summit, The World Trade Organisation Conference, The World Football Cup (Under 19's), The Athletics Grand Prix, The Tennis Open, The Squash Tournament, The Golf Masters Tournament in addition to many others, Doha is known to be a modern and exciting city. Home to world class hotels and architecturally significant buildings, Doha welcomes tourists and business people from all over the globe. At night it is magical, with the illuminating lights reflecting on the calm waves of the sea and wooden dhows silently gliding through the glistening water. The gently curved 7.5 kilometre Corniche is a paved pathway overlooking the sea, where joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists are seen daily. In 2006, Doha will be bustling with energy to host an event so enormous that it will showcase the dazzling city as a sport haven of the Middle East. The tourist attractions of Doha will keep you engrossed when you are not busy watching the various sports in Asian Games 2006. The beautiful capital city of Qatar has a quaint charm of its own. Despite its modern outlook and high-rise structures, Doha is still drenched in tradition. This very blend of the old and new makes Doha a must-visit city. There are quite a few interesting tourist attractions in Doha. The highlight of Doha sightseeing is the 7-km long Corniche Bay. The most picturesque part of the Arabian Gulf, Corniche houses the main port of Doha. To see ships sailing to and fro the harbor, with the escalating city skyline as the backdrop as an amazing sight. The famous Al Bida Park is also located on this waterfront promenade. Housing various shops, food joints and sports enclosures, it is known to be the best picnic spot in Doha. Another major attraction in Doha is the Ethnographic Museum, also known as the Wind Tower House. A rare structure in the Gulf region, the huge tower has open arches that provide ventilation. The museum often holds exhibitions depicting the evolution of Doha and Qatari life in general. The former palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Qassim Al Thani is now home to the Qatar National Museum. Consisting of a number of national treasures, artifacts, furniture, jewelry and traditional dresses of Qatar, the museum has been a great source of recreation since 1901. The Doha Fort is the place where you can witness traditional paintings and other artworks of Qatar. The Palm Tree Island is the most serene and heavenly tourist attraction in Doha. Full of sandy beaches, the region has rides, shops, restaurants and everything else needed for unlimited fun in Doha. Some other popular tourist attractions in Doha are Entertainment City, Doha Zoo, Al-Rumaila Park and the Dahl El-Hamam Public Park.
