Dubai team creates virtual online tour of the Gulf boomtown

Armchair travelers can now take a virtual tour of Dubai skyscraper rooftops, glitzy hotel interiors and other sights in the Middle East's brashest city on their laptops or tablets.

Developers in the Gulf commercial hub launched a new website Monday that offers users an interactive virtual tour of dozens of landmarks in the desert metropolis, including the man-made Palm Jumeirah island and the view from the top of the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa.

The Dubai360 site took 18 months to put together and was supported by the emirate's government. The team behind it says it includes nearly 1,300 pieces of panoramic video and photos.

They plan to keep updating the site as the fast-growing city continues to expand.

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