Cairo: A footprint in History

Cairo is the capital and largest city of Egypt, and is one of the oldest cities in the world. However, it is now a city which has experienced the least destruction of war. Speaking of Egypt, you might instantly think of the magnificent Pyramids, mysterious Sphinx, and ancient temples that symbolize the power of the thrones. However, today’s residents of Egypt are not descendants of the ancient Egyptians, and their culture is completely different from that of the past.

The reason that most tourists visit Egypt is because they are drawn by the profound history and mysterious culture. Now let’s take a look at the scenic spots that you cannot miss if you visit the country.

Pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex

During the ancient times of Egypt, myth and religion were not separate. The Egyptian civilization spanned 3,000 years. The Egyptians had already had their own religious system before Christianity and Muslim were spread. The ancient Egyptians believe that they will enter another different world after they die. They think the human body is the container of one’s soul, which leaves the body every night and returns every morning. They believe their souls will resurrect after they die. And so they must keep their bodies so that the souls can have residences to live in. That’s the reason why they invented anti-corrosion, made mummies, and built up magnificent Pyramids. So far, 96 pyramids have been discovered, and the largest ones are the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex southwest of Cairo.

Admission: Egyptian pounds (the entire Giza pyramid complex)

The great hall of the tomb and large tunnel inside Pyramid of Khufu charge 100 Egyptian pounds independently (No discounts).

Opening hours: 8:00-16:00

Address: 103, Al Haram St. Giza

Getting there: Take a taxi or rent a car to drive there, or you can go there by Bus No. 355, which drive to the back of the Egyptian Museum. The parking lot is about 5 minutes’ walk away from the scenic spot. You may take a taxi to go there, and this costs 15-20 Egyptian pounds.

Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world, and also one of the largest treasure collecting museums of ancient Egypt. This museum was established in 1958, near Tahrir Square, and is a two-story building made of red bricks, collecting 250,000 antique pieces which can date back to thousands of years ago. The most famous ones include the antiques excavated from the tomb of Tutankhamun, and the statues of Khufu, Hafra, Menkaure; the gold Petal-shaped crowns of the princesses of the Twelfth Dynasty; the Mummy of Ramesses II and so on.

Admission: 60 Egyptian pounds (You will have to pay extra money if you want to see the mummies)

Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-18:00

Address: Al Ismaileyah, Qasr an Nile, Cairo Governorate

Memphis

Memphis is located in the south of Nile Delta, about 23 km away from today’s Cairo. The dynasty dates back to 3,100 B.C., and lasted for 800 hundred years. Here you can see the large statue of Ramesses II lying on the ground and the sphinx of Amenphis II. In addition, there is a mummy’s temple beside it, where you can see the process of making mummies.

Address: Memphis, Egypt

Getting there: Get on Subway Line 1, get off at Dar el Salam, and walk west to Memphis.

Saladin Citadel of Cairo

The Saladin Citadel of Cairo is a castle which was built in 1176 by Egypt’s hero Saladin to prevent the invasion of the Crusaders, and was finished six years later. After 1182, Saladin began his own Ayyubid dynasty, which has experienced various battles but still remains strong. This is a must-visit site for each traveler.

Address: Al Abageyah, Qesm Al Khalifah, Cairo Governorate

Getting there: If you set off at Ramses Station by taxi, you need to pay 20 Egyptian pounds; if you go there by bus, you only need pay 2 Egyptian pounds.

Admission: 50 Egyptian pounds (25 Egyptian pounds for international students with student cards)

Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (No entry on each Friday)