Watch Sheikh Hamdan ride on top of Ain Dubai as it opens to the public


Katy Gillett
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  • Arabic

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, is no stranger to danger.

He has often shared his adventures via social media, whether he's skydiving, jet-skiing, hiking, snowboarding or zip-lining.

He's even climbed to the top of Burj Khalifa, filming himself harnessed to the spire of the world's tallest building, 828 metres up.

Now, Sheikh Hamdan has taken the ultimate ride, by soaring over his emirate's skyline on top of a cabin on Ain Dubai, the world's largest and tallest observation wheel, which opened to the public on Thursday.

  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, kneels on top of Ain Dubai. Photo: Screengrab
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, kneels on top of Ain Dubai. Photo: Screengrab
  • He shared a video on social media that showed him casually sipping from a mug on top of one of the cabins. Photo: Screengrab
    He shared a video on social media that showed him casually sipping from a mug on top of one of the cabins. Photo: Screengrab
  • The size of the wheel did not deter him. @HamdanMohammed
    The size of the wheel did not deter him. @HamdanMohammed
  • Sheikh Hamdan performed the stunt to celebrate Ain Dubai’s official opening
    Sheikh Hamdan performed the stunt to celebrate Ain Dubai’s official opening
  • The wheel offers visitors breathtaking views of the city. @HamdanMohammed
    The wheel offers visitors breathtaking views of the city. @HamdanMohammed
  • Located on Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai is nearly twice the height of the London Eye. @HamdanMohammed
    Located on Bluewaters Island, Ain Dubai is nearly twice the height of the London Eye. @HamdanMohammed
  • It has been one of the most highly anticipated tourist attractions in the UAE since construction started in 2015. Photo: Screengrab
    It has been one of the most highly anticipated tourist attractions in the UAE since construction started in 2015. Photo: Screengrab

He shared a video across social media on Thursday afternoon of him casually sipping from a mug on top of one of the cabins, which stand 250 metres above the ground.

He captioned it simply #aindubai, with a Ferris wheel emoji.

Ain Dubai is an observation wheel, located on Bluewaters Island. It’s nearly twice the height of the London Eye, and will provide sprawling views of Dubai’s skyline. On a clear day, visitors should be able to see everything from Bluewaters Island to Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, to Burj Al Arab and even Burj Khalifa. The attraction has 48 cabins.

It has been one of the most highly anticipated tourist attractions in the UAE since construction started in 2015.

Tickets for spots on the wheel for the first day are completely sold out, with many already taken for Friday, too.

A single rotation takes about 38 minutes. For safety reasons, Ain Dubai has kept a maximum capacity of 10 to 12 people per cabin.

To celebrate the opening, an action-packed two-day event is planned at Bluewaters Island, with family entertainment, activities and food stations from 2pm to 6pm on Thursday, with DJs, a light and drone show, plus more until 10.30pm.

On Friday, there will be live entertainment and food stations, as well as more light shows and performances by six regional artists.

  • A bystander at Ain Dubai for the attraction's official opening on Bluewaters Island on Thursday, October 21. All photos: Christopher Whiteoak / The National
    A bystander at Ain Dubai for the attraction's official opening on Bluewaters Island on Thursday, October 21. All photos: Christopher Whiteoak / The National
  • Guests step off the cabin after the first ride on Ain Dubai
    Guests step off the cabin after the first ride on Ain Dubai
  • There was a jubilant atmosphere on Bluewaters Island on Thursday as the world's largest and tallest observation wheel opened to the public
    There was a jubilant atmosphere on Bluewaters Island on Thursday as the world's largest and tallest observation wheel opened to the public
  • 'The National' reporter Janice Rodrigues at Ain Dubai on opening day
    'The National' reporter Janice Rodrigues at Ain Dubai on opening day
  • The wheel stands at 250 metres tall
    The wheel stands at 250 metres tall
  • Tickets for the first day were completely sold out, as were tickets for the sunset slot on Friday
    Tickets for the first day were completely sold out, as were tickets for the sunset slot on Friday
  • A single rotation takes about 38 minutes and guests can see Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
    A single rotation takes about 38 minutes and guests can see Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
  • For safety reasons, Ain Dubai has kept a maximum capacity of 10 people per cabin
    For safety reasons, Ain Dubai has kept a maximum capacity of 10 people per cabin
  • Tickets from Dh130 for adults and Dh100 for children
    Tickets from Dh130 for adults and Dh100 for children
  • Sajan Antonie, 44, at the official opening of Ain Dubai
    Sajan Antonie, 44, at the official opening of Ain Dubai
  • Filipa Gameiro, 30, and Jose Nuno, 28, on an Ain Dubai cabin for the first ride
    Filipa Gameiro, 30, and Jose Nuno, 28, on an Ain Dubai cabin for the first ride
  • Guests step aboard a cabin for the first ride on Ain Dubai
    Guests step aboard a cabin for the first ride on Ain Dubai
  • A view from the cabin of Ain Dubai
    A view from the cabin of Ain Dubai
  • Inside one of the cabins
    Inside one of the cabins
  • The view from the top
    The view from the top
  • Guests can view Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
    Guests can view Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
  • Taking photos of the view
    Taking photos of the view
  • An illustration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on the ground beneath Ain Dubai
    An illustration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on the ground beneath Ain Dubai
  • Views of the Dubai skyline
    Views of the Dubai skyline
  • Views from the top
    Views from the top
  • One of the youngest guests to ride first on Ain Dubai
    One of the youngest guests to ride first on Ain Dubai
  • The wheel towers 250 metres above the ground
    The wheel towers 250 metres above the ground
  • Inside the cabin
    Inside the cabin
  • Setting off for the first ride
    Setting off for the first ride
  • A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
    A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
  • A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
    A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
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“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

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Empires%20of%20the%20Steppes%3A%20A%20History%20of%20the%20Nomadic%20Tribes%20Who%20Shaped%20Civilization
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Born: May 19 1952
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2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
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2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

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2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands

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Name: Enhance Fitness 

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Updated: October 21, 2021, 12:03 PM