More and more people are getting bored with traveling to Europe, America, and Asia these days and they have been planning trips to Africa. Located in North Africa, the Egyptian civilization has the longest history in the world and it has become one of the hottest destinations, being renowned for its remarkable ancient wonders. Here are some ideas for the top 7 ancient wonders in the country that are worth visiting during your stay.
1. The Giza Pyramid Complex and the Sphinx
Location: Giza, on the west bank of the Nile, nearly 5 kilometers southwest of Cairo
The Giza pyramid complex won the honor of being the greatest man-made structure for over 45 centuries. Besides, it is the last existing one of the original Seven Wonders of the World that travelers can still visit and touch today.
It comprises one large pyramid (about 480 feet tall, called the Pyramid of Khufu), two smaller pyramids, and several other ones.
About 1,200 feet away from the Pyramid of Khufu, there is a half-man, half-lion colossus (with its nose destroyed), named the Sphinx. You can simply visit these attractions on foot if you don't mind walking in the heat of the sun.
Surprisingly, the Sphinx was built from one individual stone, which means it wasn't made by piling up different stones and no stones had to be conveyed.
Standing in front of these behemoths, you can't help but imagine how they were created without modern techniques or large construction machinery.
Travel Guide
- Entrance fee: 60 EGP
- Open: 9:30am to 5pm
- Visiting tips: Do not talk to any strangers there. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Be aware that an extra entrance fee will be required if you plan to visit the interior of the Pyramid of Khufu (100 EGP).
2. Islamic Cairo
Location: Cairo
The name Islamic Cairo usually means the center of the ancient city of Cairo, which was founded in 648 AD and later became the heart of the world in the Middle Ages. It is part of the modern city of Cairo and can still be visited today.
An iconic symbol of Islamic Cairo is the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It can be easily distinguished by its height as well as its grand and unique shape.
Built on the mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the city during the visit, which is unforgettable.
There are other attractive sites that are worth a visit as well. For example, the Citadel of Saladin, the Virgin Mary's Tree, the Hanging Church (the church with the longest history in Cairo), the Qalawun Complex, Al-Azhar Mosque, the Gayer-Anderson Museum, the Cairo Tower, and other mosques.
- Visiting tips: Take off your shoes (or use shoe covers if allowed) when entering the mosques, follow the rules and examples of other visitors, and dress suitably to respect the local religion.
3. The Nile
As the mother river of Egypt and its ancient civilization, the Nile plays an important role in the growth of the population and cultures. From Google Earth, you can see that most Egyptian cities are located along the Nile, such as Aswan (along the Upper Nile), Luxor (in Upper Egypt), and Cairo (at the Nile Delta). The river creates a lot of oases for the country and travelers worldwide.
Being the longest river in the world (at a length of 6,670 kilometers / 4,145 miles, which is longer than the Amazon River in South America and the Yangtze River in Asia), it is also one of the top natural wonders in the world.
Have a room with a river view or book a restaurant alongside the river to enrich your experience. Be aware that there may be floods from June to September so please take care during these months.
- Visiting tips: The flooding season is from July to September (the highest water level usually appears in August). Please be prepared.
4. The Sahara Desert
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