A city built from mud and known as the "Manhattan of the desert."

The most alien-looking place on Earth.

Traditional architecture and ancient irrigation systems are on display in this gorgeous mountain village.

These gnarly desert trees produce the prized aromatic resin traded along the ancient incense trail.

This bazaar is one of the oldest in the Arabian world.

This spectacular mosque houses the second-largest chandelier in the world.

A sinkhole and now a swimming hole, too, full of dazzling turquoise water.

No building in the world leans as far as the so-called “Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi.”

The world's largest frame offers spectacular views of the city's past and present.

The world’s largest LED display, built over an F1 race circuit.

Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.

The oldest surviving mosque in the UAE has mysterious origins and unusual architecture.

This enormous sports car themed amusement park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

Whitewashed mosque contains the world's largest carpet.

Planned as the world’s first zero-carbon city, it had lofty ideals—but is only 5 percent completed and aiming for 50 percent carbon-neutral.

Billed as the "largest natural flower garden in the world" this Middle Eastern show field has little competition at 45 million flowers.

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

This artificial archipelago was supposed to resemble a map of the world.

This mesmerizing, colorful structure looks like a tent made from stained glass.

A 19th-century fortress and collection of artifacts offer a tour of Saudi history.

These towering cliffs jut dramatically from the middle of a barren desert.

Village of slate houses, built on a white marble outcrop.

Within the Saudi Arabian desert lies a 2,000-year-old ghost town made of stone and mud.