Just 20 kilometres from Dubai is the emirate of Sharjah, elected as the Cultural City of the Arab world by UNESCO for 1998. Your cultural visit might start at the Cultural Palace Square in Al Wahda Road, the Natural History Museum, and the Palace of the Sheikh of Sharjah. Take some time to relax at the Ajman and Sharjah Cornich, known for their white beaches. Shoppers will want to allow plenty of time to visit to the oldest market place in the United Arab Emirates, the Souq Al Arsah on Cornich Road and the Blue Souq, the most famous market in Sharjah, with 600-some colorful shops with bargains from gold, silver and precious stones to jewelry, carpets and rugs.