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

The shallow, salty inlet was a safe haven for 19th-century pirates.

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

An imposing Omani fortress surrounded by date palm trees.

Every December, this stretch of dusty desert road transforms into a catwalk for a camel beauty pageant.

The opulent car collection of an eccentric Sheikh housed in his own private pyramid.

Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.

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.

This mysterious abandoned fort looks like something pulled right from Arabian legend.

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

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

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

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

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

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