[vigsom]

Introduction

Sometimes, rich experiences happen by chance. An experience worth every minute of time happened by chance last week, when we got to visit Qasr Al Watan - the presidential palace at Abu Dhabi. The over two hours spent there just had all visitors awe struck at the blend of Arabian architectural design with modern day elements.

[vigsom]

How did the visit happen?

I left the shores of India after over six years for a much needed break at often visited Abu Dhabi. On the eve of my departure, a group of family folks caught up for lunch, and while at the table, one of them from Dubai asked if we were all game to visit Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace at Abu Dhabi. I'd never heard of this, and never imagined that this place could be a tourist attraction. Everyone was game, and the next task was to look for tickets.

Tickets

The official website showed admission fee at AED65 per head. Searches threw up many sites but at one such site called headout.com, discounts got automatically applied and the final ask was AED40 a head. Tickets booked, and we were all set to go after our grub. We were six, and a 2012 Ford Explorer took all of us there in supreme comfort, third row included.

Entry

After arriving at the rather large parking area, which charges no fee, view of the skyline from the parking was itself astounding - ample parking bays, with several bays earmarked for the physically challenged. A short walk and we were there at the ticketing area for our tickets to be scanned. That's where we realized that spot tickets bought there are priced at AED75; not sure if any discounts are applied there, but on line is the way to go.

Post tickets check, there was a security check with the simple logic - all metal and electronics in the tray and one must walk through the detector frame with no beep noise caused. I asked security if photography was permitted and they said yes. Next we boarded a bus to the palace. The bus ride was approx. 8 minutes and there was an audio played that explained a few bits of information around the palace. I was so engrossed with the views that I lost track of what was conveyed through the audio clip.

Visitor parking - note the jet contrail against the sky




Parking for the challenged


View of Etihad Towers (not related to Etihad Airways at all) and the Bab Al Qasr hotel from the parking


Taxis in queue


Inside parking area - not sure if this is for VVIPs and employees


Signage at entry


Bus boarding point after security


Inside the bus


Approaching the main dwar (gate)


The main gateway


Enroute to the palace - jet trails against the sky


Almost there..


Bus drop off at the palace

[vigsom]

First impressions on arrival

Just one word - Wow!! But there were a lot more Wows in store!

Few facts about the palace

Before we move on to get to more pictures, here are a few facts (to be validated) about Qasr Al Watan:

1. This palace is not a residence but official - hosting of foreign leaders and conducting official meetings continue to happen here
2. Completed in 2017, about 10 million manhours and USD500Mn were spent in building this
3. Facade made of white granite and limestone
4. Opened for public viewing too in March 2019

More info as we move through more pages of this thread.

Enter the palace

The palace can be understood better by the zones therein - A memory from the palace (Media Room), Presidential Gifts, Spirit of Collaboration, the Great Hall, Presidential Banquet, House of Knowledge, Qasr Al Watan Library, besides others. Let the pictures do the talking now.

Entry


Welcome to Qasr Al Watan!


Media Room

The name is self explanatory; access is restricted to the point where the barrier has been created. One cannot get past to the chairs.






Presidential Gifts gallery

Gifts received from all over the world during visits by foreign dignitaries are all displayed here. Every gallery has a description of each gift and a number on the gift outline - thus visitors can identify each gift based on the description and the number(and outline) on the display















Gift from India

[vigsom]

Spirit of Collaboration

This is the official meeting place of the Federal Supreme Council, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The circular layout, well crafted seats, and the iconic chandelier are the first attractions. Huge doors, and the massive dome in blue, white and gold stand out.

Spirit of Collaboration


Note the light brown first class seats in the front few rows and the ivory business class seats behind


The chairs


Safety is everywhere


Barriers created to restrict the limits to which visitors can enter


Chandelier


About the dome in this room


View of the dome, and the chandelier up close - weighs 12 tonnes, made of 3,50,000 crystals, assembled in this room, hangs on a single point, has an internal stair and enough room for one person to perform maintenance work

[vigsom]

The Great Hall

As the name suggests, this is indeed great. The imposing central dome stands wide and tall at 37m wide and 60m tall. The hall has blue, white and yellow as colours. There are mirrored cubes, curved glass panels, symmetric marble panels around. While one would explore The Great Hall first and then venture to other areas, we came to The Great Hall much later in our visit. Nevertheless, here goes.

Challenges faced


Notice Board


The Great Hall - overall view


Central Dome - close up view


One of the smaller chandeliers


One of the walkways around The Great Hall


Roof above one of the walkways


Great Hall as viewed through one of the mirrors


Directions


Doors


Door handles


A conference room at one end of The Great Hall

[vigsom]

Presidential Banquet

Can seat upto 300 dignitaries

Main display


Display




Kiosks outside the Presidential Banquet Hall


Sample display


Views of the banquet hall

[vigsom]

Qasr Al Watan Library and House of Knowledge

Views of the library, housing over 50,000 books

Entry to the library


Racks standing tall




Q: Define travelogue? A: Read, travel, become


Articles on medicine

[vigsom]

Miscellaneous yet significant details

Again, let the pictures do the talking

Entry for dignitaries


Underside of the escalator


Mirror image of the underside of the escalator


Inside a palace, even a trash can looks rich


Wash rooms - again rich

[vigsom]

Closer to departure

There is this photo point where one can get oneself photographed, and collect the picture at exit for a fee. There was quite a queue for the photograph, but not sure how many bought the pics eventually. At exit, there was this souvenier shop, and a cafe. A few seats outside the palace around the lawns meant a cool way to hang out and relax after a rather long walk. After all, the only place available inside the palace to sit was 4 sofas close to the escalator.

Photo point


Menu at the dining area


Dining area close to the exit


Chill at the lawns

[vigsom]

Summing it up

An afternoon well spent, and worth the time and money spent on the visit. I couldn't think of anything that could have been better. Could we have maximised this visit? Yes - we left the place at about 5pm as our guests had a hard stop to get back to Dubai, but yes, we could have stayed on and enjoyed the laser show too. No regrets - there's always a next time. Hope you enjoyed the show!!

At 3pm


Before sunset


After the lights come on (representative image)

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Samfromindia]

Last time I visited UAE, I took a single day Abu Dhabi guided tour and this was one of the attractions. However I skipped going inside & waited at the lobby after touring the Grand Mosque, Heritage Village, Art Gallery & Yas Mall. However I heard it was very beautiful inside. This thread reminded me of my visit there. Maybe next time I will experience this for sure

[rajathv8]

Thanks vigsom!
Nice review with a great set of images. The pics show exquisite detail when zoomed.
I see few familiar faces in the parking lot - a Ciaz in the first pic and what appears to be a Yaris in the second.