Last updated: 30 July 2023
Are you planning a visit to Sharjah and looking for things to do during your trip? If so then you’re in for a treat because the the Rain Room in Sharjah is going to present you with an unforgettable experience and it’s something that you shouldn’t miss! If you’ve ever wanted to walk in the rain without an umbrella and not get wet then you’re about to get that chance! Read on for more detail on what to expect from a visit to the the Rain Room in Sharjah!
[lwptoc]
What to expect from a visit to the Rain Room in Sharjah [Video]
Granted it’s probably not the first thing you think of in a desert bone-dry climate like Sharjah, but after a hugely successful stint at the Barbican in London, followed by the United States and China, the Rain Room has found a permanent home with the Sharjah Art Foundation in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
What is the Rain Room?
Set in the basement in a concrete purpose-built building, 2,500 litres of recycled water falls from the ceiling, not dissimilar to a rainfall style shower head, but on a much larger scale.
Exploring the Rain Room in Sharjah
Visitors to the Rain Room are led into a dark cavernous space, with moisture in the air and surrounded by the sounds of gushing water, the space lit only by a single spotlight at the back of the room, which serves to illuminate the water droplets and provide a field day for photographers, acting as a canvas for silhouettes and slow motion capture.
How does the Rain Room in Sharjah work?
A system of networked 3D tracking cameras tracks your presence and automatically stops the flow of water as you move through the space. However there is a trick to it! You must move slowly to ensure the water stops. If you move too quickly, you will get wet – Something I experienced first hand!
It’s really easy to be captivated by the falling water and intrigued by the motion detection so time will fly by. Keep an eye on the clock because tickets are timed to a maximum of 15 minutes so you will have limited time and will have to work quickly to get the shot you want.
Do check the events page ahead of time to see if there are any shows running in the space as this may impact your experience. Our visit coincided with contemporary dance performance by Company Wayne McGregor from London!
Capturing ‘that’ Shot
Whatever you have in mind for capturing your time at the Rain Room, I’m going to be honest, it’s going to be harder than you think it will be.
People more aware of their body shape and limbs will almost certainly capture a more interesting composition. Gymnasts, dancers and ballerinas could have a really great time with the silhouette photography here. Imagine a grand jeté leaping through the spotlight at full extension, or a simple and elegant classical ballet pointe positions like an arabesque would also work particularly well.
What to Wear to the Rain Room
If fashion is an important part of your travel lifestyle then you might want to capture that photo at the Rain Room in Sharjah. Sadly, I’m not a skilled ballerina, and not nearly coordinated enough to pull off anything more than a simple silhouette, so I opted for an ever-faithful midi skirt which took me from day to night in the conservative culture of the UAE.
My blogger buddy Diana opted for a maxi dress for this ethereal composition.
If you’re opting for an artistic style photograph, or utilising your dance dexterity, remember to pack your pointe shoes!
The Rain Room has some rules, specifically preventing the use of umbrellas and other rain gear. They also note that dark, shiny, reflective or impermeable clothing may affect the functioning of the sensors. Whatever you choose to wear, there is a good chance that at least a part of you will get a little wet in this experience. Choose wisely!
The Essentials
The Rain Room in Sharjah
- When: Saturday-Thursday: 9am-9pm, Friday: 4pm – 10pm
- Location: Al Majarrah Park, Sharjah
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online or at the venue however as entry is limited to 6 people at a time, I highly encourage you to pre-purchase tickets online.
- Price: Adults: 25 AED (£5.97, $6.81 USD), Children: 5 to 22 years 15 AED (£3.59, $4.08 USD)
- Directions: The Rain Room is located Al Majarrah Park in Sharjah some 30km from Dubai.
- Taxi
A taxi is the easiest although the most expensive due to the heavy traffic between the two Emirates. - Ride Sharing
There’s no Uber in the UAE but you can Careem which offers a similar service. - Public transport
Public transport is possible in the form of the E303 bus from Dubai’s Union Square Bus Station to Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah before connecting with by another bus or my preference is on foot (30 mins/2km) through the historic Heart of Sharjah district.
- Taxi
Disclaimer: I was invited by Sharjah Tourism to experience the Rain Room. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Artistic pics!
Thanks Iris! 🙂