A clock tower that offers stunning views of Kalba is now open. The Ruler of Sharjah, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2022/01/25/seven-highlights-from-the-life-of-sheikh-dr-sultan-ruler-of-sharjah/" target="_blank">Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi</a>, on Thursday inaugurated Kalba's Clock Tower Square. Sheikh Dr Sultan laid the cornerstone of the tower in April. The tower is 60 metres tall and has a viewing platform overlooking the town and sea. In the centre of the square are 12 main fountains that represent the number of hours and 60 smaller ones for 60 minutes. The tower has two viewing decks – one of 33 metres and the other at 46 metres above the ground. There is also a restaurant on the first deck. The tower has seven floors and the diameter of the clock face is five metres. A spacious dome in the tower has a gilded mosaic, with Islamic decorations on the facade. Extensive landscaping has transformed an area of 2,100 square metres and there are now 940 parking spaces along Corniche Street for visitors. Last year, a series of ambitious projects were announced to transform <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/sharjah-ruler-unveils-new-vision-for-historic-east-coast-port-town-of-kalba-1.1201412" target="_blank">Sharjah's east coast exclave of Kalba</a>. It included the restoration of one of the emirate's most historic houses, construction of the Clock Tower Square and the opening of a revamped Corniche. Kalba is home to historic forts, mountains and mangroves. Along with Khor Fakkan to the north, these two Sharjah exclaves are emerging as major tourism destinations. In 2020, Sharjah opened a Dh1 billion ($272m) road that cuts the travel time between the exclave and Sharjah city in the west to only an hour, instead of 90 minutes. The emirate also plans to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/travel/coming-soon-to-sharjah-a-safari-retreat-water-park-and-new-beachside-hotel-1.1059866">open a new waterfront hotel</a> in Kalba soon. With more people than ever exploring the country despite the pandemic restrictions on international travel being lifted, Sharjah has positioned itself as a staycation destination.
