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During summer in Qatar, most people stay indoors during the heat of the day, sheltering in place or working with the air conditioner turned up high, visiting frigid shopping malls, and traveling between them in refrigerator-cold cars.
Spending time outdoors is not something to be enjoyed, it is something to be endured.
Until now. Gewan Island, a new addition to the man-made archipelago off the coast of the capital Doha, allows visitors to stroll outside in comfort during the summer day thanks to a surprising innovation: an air-conditioned “forest.”
Running along the island’s central axis is a 450-meter-long (about one-third of a mile) promenade known as the Crystal Walk. Despite being exposed to the elements, the temperature is artificially regulated.
The walkway is covered with a canopy of tree-like structures that can protect from direct sunlight while trapping the cool air that blows in through the vents below.
Outdoor air conditioning is nothing new in Qatar. Doha’s Al Gharafa Park and Umm Al Senim Park allow you to exercise along cool, shady jogging routes. Outdoor shopping areas such as Al Hazm Mall and West Walk also benefit from the cool air blown up from the street.
Gewan (also spelled Jiwan) takes this to another level. The Crystal Walk is shaded by artificial branches covered in 10 tons of crystals, which gives it its name. These also use solar panels to convert the bright sun into electricity to power your air conditioner. There is also a mini fountain where you can splash water.
With temperatures ranging from a comfortable 21 to 23 degrees Celsius (approximately 70 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round, the area has quickly become Qatar’s newest tourist attraction.
“Gewan Island has now become a regular stop on my city tours,” says Siham Haleem, who has been showing international tourists around Qatar for over 15 years. “I come here four or five times a week, and each time the guests are truly amazed.”
It doesn’t just exist to maintain temperature. Crystal trees create unusual urban landscapes and are regularly featured in social media posts.
The floor is embedded with crystal panels that illuminate approximately 180 rectangular boxes and are protected by strong glass. Inside, you’ll find intricate displays of landscapes, animals, cities, and industry, with themes including desert, snow, forest, ocean, and machinery. Visitors can encounter local motifs such as schools of fish, crocodiles, penguin colonies, camel caravans and musical instruments.
Omar Abu Murad, a Lebanese expatriate working in Doha, regularly brings his family. While the children enjoy the crystal display, Abu Murad praises its location and state-of-the-art technology.
“It’s an escape to a world of luxury filled with crystal-inspired design details, trendy restaurants and cafes, and stylish shops,” he says.
The area is also a record-breaking area, earning Guinness World Records titles for the largest outdoor air-conditioned mall and largest outdoor interactive light canopy.
Before Koh Gewan became a tourist attraction, it had a more functional role. The 400,000 square meter site was originally the base for the construction of The Pearl, a luxury residential area built on a complex of artificial islands.
Named after an unusually shaped pearl, Gewan has undergone a remarkable transformation from what was essentially a builder’s garden.
Seen from the air, the island is divided into three major parts. The eastern end consists of private villas and residences. The center has walking trails, shops, cafes, restaurants and artwork. The third building on the west side will house a new hotel complex with a golf course and other leisure facilities.
While much of Doha was built with cars in mind, Gewan, which is connected to The Pearl by three bridges, has been conceived on a more human scale, especially with its Crystal Walk.
“Our vision was to create a vibrant, walkable community in the heart of Gewan Island,” said John C. Kim, director of design and head of the Gewan Island Master Plan at international design firm AE7. “This central spine provides an intimate space for convivial interaction, and its surroundings offer stunning views of the Gulf and Pearl Islands.”
A promenade lined with restaurants runs along the shoreline of Nge Wan Island facing The Pearl. The walkway is lined with glass trees inspired by the unique shapes of American glass artist Dale Chihuly.
There is a water taxi stop and small 10-person boats leave regularly. For 200 Qatari riyals, or about $55, tourists can travel through the canals of the Qanat Quarter to the Porto Arabia Marina in the heart of The Pearl. It takes about 20 minutes and is popular with tourists and locals alike.
At the southwestern tip of the island, construction is underway on the 13,000 square meter Corinthia Gewan Island development. This is a five-star hotel and residential complex with 110 rooms and suites, a nine-hole golf course and a private beach club planned. The leisure facilities are scheduled to open in stages from 2026 to 2027.
Developers say the project aims to anchor a broader hospitality push on Gewan Island. Like much of the island, the resort is positioned as part of Doha’s expanding lifestyle and tourism offering, but it remains to be seen what the long-term impact on visitor numbers will be and how it will differentiate itself in an already crowded luxury market.
In addition to construction sites, Gewan Island has seen a steady increase in restaurants and cafes catering to residents and tourists seeking outdoor dining during the cooler months.
The lineup ranges from casual coffee spots to themed establishments, including cafes with luxury cars on display and cafes built around family play areas, blending international concepts with local cuisine.
As a result, eateries are often busiest in the evening. Despite the promise of cooler daytime temperatures, Doha’s social life continues into the late hours.
Supporters say such developments could help expand the city’s leisure options and expand activities beyond the traditional winter high season, but much will depend on how well the venues continue to attract both residents and tourists once the novelty wears off.
