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Aswan Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com
Aswan
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Explore Egypt's ancient ruins at Philae and Luxor Temple@Philae Temple
Felucca ride on the Nile in Aswan@Nile
Philae Temple, the white temple on the Nile River@Philae Temple
Nubian Village Aswan, a picture-perfect blue-and-white fairy-tale town@Nubian Village Aswan
Stunning Nile sunset at Aswan's Feryal Garden for EGP 50@Feryal Garden
About Aswan
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Must-visit attractions in Aswan
Looking for things to do in Aswan? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.
Recommended stays in Aswan
Discover the most popular places to stay in Aswan, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers
Guest User: We stay 2 nights here to go to Abu Simbel temple. The staff is friendly and helpful. Good experience with day trip and tour with the help from hotel.
3VWX+X88, Kornish Al Nile, Sheyakhah Thalethah
From QAR 251
Guest User: Located in the middle of a Nubian village, this hotel is very different to the polished world of resorts and cruise ships that most tourists will see when they come to Aswan. There is a market in the area where you can buy spices, teas, and jewelry. The aesthetic and vibe of the place is bright and colorful, the people are super friendly and there are a lot of camels. Nubian Palace is not just a hotel, but also a coffee shop and restaurant. The food is AMAZING! They even packed us a breakfast box for our early morning flight.
West Sohail Village
From QAR 218
Guest User: Wonderful service - guard and porter at the front, efficient front desk, upgraded to a Nile room. Pool side was great with a view of the Nile, plenty of chairs and fresh towels, although bar staff sometimes a little slow on drink and food refills this could be forgiven Buffet breakfast had a good selection including eggs made to order, staff very attentive Dinner selection was OK but again great service
1 Corniche El Nile St, Sheyakhah Thalethah
From QAR 335
Pyme: The scenery from the room is fantastic also the room is spacious but the way to hotel is so dangerous and have no main road uneasy to walk to the main road. The service is excellent, I've requested the birthday celebration for my husband and they decorated our room including the birthday cake! If you order room service or even have the meal at the restaurant and need to pay by card, they charge more 5% for the transaction fee.
3VFJ+887, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1
From QAR 228
Maylosm: The hotel is just next to the bazaar and we can visit the bazaar at night and go back to hotel easily. The room is comfortable to stay. As we needed to leave early in the morning to Abu Simbel Temple, the hotel prepared a breakfast takeaway box. The staff is helpful and it is nice to stay in this hotel.
Saad Zaghloul, Sheyakhah Thalethah
From QAR 149
Guest User: This was my first time staying in such a secluded place, and I was so glad I chose this hotel. From the very first moment, the owner and the staff ensured a comfortable stay for every guest. The timely boat transfer, the uniquely styled rooms, the home-cooked food, and the attentive staff—everything was delivered with the highest level of care. The hotel's location allows you to leisurely admire stunning sunrises and magnificent sunsets; time just slips away, and you immerse yourself in a state of endless bliss. I would certainly recommend this hotel to everyone.
Heissa island
From QAR 102
Guest User: Nice location with a good view. Received a free upgrade at check-in.
In Front Of The Nubian Museum
From QAR 405
Sayoko197: The hotel is located very close to the Nile River, and the view from the room window overlooks the Movenpick Hotel. The breakfast area also had a great view. The bathroom was spacious and had plenty of hot water. The heating was a great help as it was cold at night. The receptionist was very kind. The location is also good, just a 10-minute walk from Aswan Station through the souk. I highly recommend it.
10 Abtal el Tahrir, Sheyakhah Thalethah, Aswan 1
From QAR 208
Guest User: I am really enjoying staying in this traditional Nubian house, the service is great! The owner always ready to help the guests ! The nubian room is clean and nice! And the traditional breakfast is very tasty! It’s located near the Nubian village so you can enjoy this ancient people close. I really recommend this house!
Gharb Sohail Village
From QAR 88
Guest User: 1. Mohammed proactively contacted me and arranged a private boat to pick me up and take me to the island (Elephantine Island). 2. Nuba Nest is newly opened, and the environment and hygiene are exceptionally good. 3. I had an early morning trip to Abu Simbel, and they even prepared breakfast for me to take away at 4 AM. 4. The entire hotel overlooks the Nile River, and there are two excellent restaurants nearby. 5. The public ferry to and from KFC is also very convenient. 6. Highly, highly recommended! I'm extremely satisfied with Nuba Nest (location, scenery, hygiene, value for money).
3VQQ+6HQ, Sheyakhah Oula, Aswan 1
From QAR 88
Must-try food in Aswan
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Traveler photos and experiences
Sailing the Ancient Nile in Royal Luxury: An Egyptian Dream! 🇪🇬🛥️🏛️
Sailing down the historic Nile River onboard a luxury Nile cruise is like living inside an timeless Egyptian tale! Imagine relaxing in an elegantly designed vintage cabin, surrounded by classic wooden aesthetics and golden details, while watching timeless desert landscapes and palm-lined riverbanks float by. Highlights of a Nile River Cruise Experience: 🛥️ Floating Luxury: Soaking in breathtaking views of the Nile right from the comfort of a regal, classic-styled cabin. 🏛️ Journey Through History: Sailing past iconic ancient temples and historical sites between Luxor and Aswan. 🌅 Unforgettable Sunsets: Watching the golden sun set over the calm waters of the Nile with a warm breeze and peaceful ambiance. ✨ Timeless Comfort: Combining the magic of ancient mythology with modern world-class travel amenities. Whether you're a history lover, a seeker of unique luxury, or a aesthetic travel enthusiast, a Nile cruise is an absolute bucket-list experience! 🇪🇬🛥️🌅📸✨ #EgyptTravel #NileCruise #TripMoments #VisitEgypt #LuxuryTravel #NileRiver #ExploreEgypt #TripDotCom #Wanderlust
Madrid isn't boring—save this Citywalk guide.
Compared to Barcelona, Madrid might seem to lack that "must-visit-in-your-lifetime" appeal, but there's no denying that it's a city perfect for a Citywalk. Below is the route I personally tested, which took about half an afternoon. Feel free to follow it. · Starting from my hotel, I first went to the Victory Arch in the west. Many European cities have triumphal arches, and Madrid's is relatively less famous. Built in 1956 to commemorate the Battle of Ciudad Universitaria during the Civil War, it features Minerva driving a quadriga and holding a laurel wreath on top. Today, it's a bustling bus stop, and few people come specifically to see it; the weight of history has been smoothed over by daily life. · After taking the metro a few stops from the Victory Arch, I arrived at the Temple of Debod on a small hill. This is an authentic Egyptian temple. It was originally located on the banks of the Nile, 15 kilometers south of Aswan, and faced submersion due to the construction of a dam. To thank Spain for helping save the Abu Simbel temples, Egypt dismantled it into stone blocks and sent it as a national gift in 1968. It was rebuilt in its original form in 1972, with even its east-west orientation unchanged. · Having already experienced "temple fatigue" from seeing so many in Egypt, I didn't expect to see another one in Madrid. However, compared to the magnificent temples in Egypt, this Temple of Debod is quite miniature and not particularly impressive. Still, it's located at a high point in Madrid's city center, and many people were there waiting for the sunset when I arrived. · Walking down the hill, I merged into Madrid's most famous street, Gran Vía, which is lined with century-old theaters and shopping malls, getting livelier the further you walk. The Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid's largest markets. Built in 1916, it retains the steel columns and glass roof of the original food market, but the interior has been transformed into a gourmet food hall. · Further ahead is Plaza Mayor, an enclosed square completed in 1619, with four red walls enclosing a world of its own. Bullfights, coronations, inquisitions, and even executions have all taken place here, with the equestrian statue of Philip III standing in the center, witnessing it all. We visited during the Christmas season, and it was a bustling market. · Continuing east, you reach Puerta del Sol, which is also the "origin point" of Spain—the zero-kilometer marker for the national highway system is embedded in the sidewalk in front of the Post Office building. In the corner of the square stands the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, a symbol of Madrid. It's said that every New Year's Eve, people gather under the clock tower to eat twelve grapes to the chimes of the clock. · Turning northeast from Puerta del Sol, the Metropolis Building at the eastern end of Gran Vía is Madrid's most famous skyline feature. This old building from 1911 features a winged Goddess of Victory atop its black dome. As the twilight sun hits the dome at an angle, golden light seems to flow down along her wings. · Walking a few more minutes along Calle de Alcalá, you reach Plaza de Cibeles. The goddess Cybele sits in a chariot pulled by lions in the center of the fountain. Behind her, the snow-white former Post Office building is now City Hall, and this is also where Real Madrid fans celebrate their championship victories. · Afterward, walking south along Paseo del Prado for ten minutes, the Neptune Fountain stands quietly ahead. Interestingly, it's the territory of Atlético Madrid fans. A city derby is claimed by two 200-year-old statues; perhaps Madrid is the only place in the world that arranges this so gracefully.
Follow "Death on the Nile" into Egypt
As an Agatha Christie fan, I've watched "Death on the Nile" so many times, and I'm finally setting foot on Egyptian soil! This time, I recreated Poirot's route, and it's exactly like the scenes in the movie! ⭕️ Giza Pyramid Complex and the Great Sphinx In the opening of the movie, Linnet and Simon are on their honeymoon in Egypt, climbing the pyramids, when Jacqueline appears to reveal their love triangle, which is then overheard by Poirot. The filming locations for this segment are highly recommended photo spots! 1️⃣ Navigate to "Panoramic view" to check out the nine-pyramid photo spot, or you can go to "9 Pyramids Lounge" to enjoy the view while dining. Be sure to get a table with a view!! 2️⃣ You can symbolically climb the base of the Great Pyramid of Giza, but you can't climb to the top like in the movie. 3️⃣ There is an open area directly facing the Great Sphinx that is the perfect spot to capture the pyramids and the Sphinx in the same frame!! ⭕️ Old Cataract Hotel In the movie, Poirot and the others gather for a tango party; the place where they rest before boarding the ship is the Old Cataract Hotel. Agatha Christie also stayed here for a long time and wrote "Death on the Nile". The movie's filming locations include the hotel's main entrance, the old building, and the pier. You can pay 1,500 EGP (redeemable for dining) to visit the hotel, but I highly recommend staying for a night. Every day at 5:00 PM, guests can visit Agatha Christie's and Winston Churchill's rooms! ⭕️ "Karnak" Cruise The cruise ship in the movie sails from Aswan to Luxor. In reality, there are many cruise companies to choose from, mostly offering 4-day, 3-night trips, visiting Abu Simbel Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, and more along the way. However, I don't recommend taking a cruise. First of all, the food is mediocre, the rooms are very small, and the rooms given to individual travelers often don't match the description. After complaining, I was switched to another room, but they gave me a cabin at the stern, claiming they were fully booked. Also, several cruise ships follow the same itinerary, so the attractions are always crowded, making it hard to get good photos! ⭕️ Karnak Temple The first attraction visited after getting off the ship in the movie is Karnak Temple. The scene where the boulder falls is in the Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple, where 134 stone columns look like a giant maze. Other filming locations include the Avenue of the Sphinxes, the broken stone columns, and the main entrance of the temple. We didn't have enough time, so we could only take a quick walk around... ⭕️ Abu Simbel Temple In the movie, when Linnet and Simon look for the "singing statues," they are referring to the four colossal statues of Ramesses II at the entrance of the Abu Simbel Temple. The awe of standing in front of the giant statues is completely different from watching it in the movie! Every year during the Sun Festival, the sunlight shines through the colonnade onto the statue of Ramesses II in the innermost sanctuary!
A Journey Through Millennia: Discover the Wonders of Egypt
Wind carries the sands of millennia, bringing the ancient dreams of pharaohs to life. The Nile River flows silently, penning the poetry of time. 🔥 Who could resist a journey through the millennia to Egypt❗ Step onto the golden sands of the Sahara 🌪️ Gaze up at the majestic pyramids 🗿 Unlock the mysterious stories along the ancient Nile River ✨ 🕌【Highlights of the Trip】 ✅ Direct flights from Beijing, no layovers, hassle-free travel ✅ Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World 👉 The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and delve into the grandeur of ancient Egypt ✅ Explore the Grand Egyptian Museum (opening in 2025!) and marvel at the breathtaking golden mask of the Pharaoh ✅ Head to the Red Sea in Hurghada 🌊! Relax on the beach or opt for thrilling desert dune bashing and snorkeling adventures ✅ Travel to Luxor, stroll along the Nile, visit ancient temples, and experience the charm of Nubian villages ✅ Stay in local 5-star hotels throughout the trip for maximum comfort ✅ Includes team transportation + Chinese-speaking guide, no need to plan everything yourself, just enjoy the journey 🗓 Simple Itinerary Overview Day 1|Gather in Beijing, take an overnight flight to Cairo, and begin your dream journey Day 2|Explore Cairo in-depth|Pyramids + Sphinx + Grand Egyptian Museum Day 3|Drive to the Red Sea in Hurghada 🏝️ Relax and enjoy free time, with optional desert dune bashing Day 4|Continue your vacation by the Red Sea, snorkeling to discover the crystal-clear underwater world Day 5|Travel from Hurghada to Luxor, visit temples along the Nile, and explore local markets Day 6|Return from Luxor to Cairo, then fly back to Beijing, completing your journey 💡 Travel Tips 🔸 Egypt has significant temperature differences between day and night! Bring a sun hat and sunglasses for the day, and a light jacket for the evening 🔸 The sun is very strong, so high-SPF sunscreen is a must 🔸 Respect local customs; avoid wearing overly revealing clothing when entering mosques 🔸 Carry some small change for tips 📸 Photo Tips ✨ In front of the pyramids: Light-colored dresses for a dreamy vibe ✨ By the Red Sea: Bright tank tops and beach dresses for stunning shots against the blue sea and golden sands ✨ At temple ruins: Vintage earth-tone outfits to enhance the atmosphere 🍜 Local Food Recommendations ✅ Koshari (Egypt's national dish) ✅ Grilled lamb barbecue ✅ Fresh fruit juices by the Nile 🌍 Cross mountains and seas to witness the Egyptian civilization you've read about in textbooks The silent sands tell the epic stories of millennia ✨ Seize the moment and let's embark on this journey together 🚩 Cairo International Airport
The Nile views at the Old Cataract Hotel are legendary
Old Cataract Hotel Aswan | Stay by the Nile and embrace a century-old legend✨ The most romantic thing to do in Aswan isn't rushing to check off tourist spots, but staying at the Old Cataract Hotel. People say some hotels are just places to sleep, but the Old Cataract in Aswan is a "bucket-list" hotel that truly lets you live inside a story. Perched on a pink granite cliff along the Nile, this century-old palace, dating back to 1899, quietly overlooks the gentle waters of the First Cataract of the Nile, facing Elephantine Island and the Nubian dunes across the river. For over a hundred years, the winds of the Nile have never ceased, yet they have never taken away the romance and legend of this place; instead, they have settled into a unique, vintage elegance and a relaxed atmosphere. The moment you step into the hotel, it feels like you've been transported back to a golden age. The Victorian-meets-Moorish architectural texture is stunning, with exquisite horseshoe arches, intricate wooden lattice screens, and vintage glass chandeliers scattered throughout. The walls of the long corridors are adorned with yellowed black-and-white photos, each hiding secrets of days gone by. This place has never lacked significant stories or the footprints of famous figures. Agatha Christie stayed here for nearly a year, gazing at the flowing Nile while conceiving her classic "Death on the Nile." Churchill loved to relax with a drink on the terrace, where the riverside scenery at sunset was his favorite view. Countless royals, literary giants, and explorers have all slept here, lulled by the waters of the Nile. The most healing aspect is always the hotel's unique riverside view🌅. Open your room window to an unbeatable view of the river, where the clear waters of the Nile wind into the distance, and vintage feluccas glide slowly across the surface, the shimmering water breaking up the light from the sky. By day, watch the blue water flow and the white sails dot the river, with desert hills and oases reflecting each other in the distance. In the evening, wait for the sunset to paint the horizon, as golden-pink clouds cover the entire Nile, the river water gilded with a gentle edge, and the Aga Khan Mausoleum standing quietly on the opposite bank—the atmosphere is truly legendary. The hotel's open-air terrace is a fantastic hidden gem and the best vantage point for this century-old legend. Order a signature cocktail, sit back against the granite railing, and let the evening breeze, carrying the moist coolness of the Nile, brush past your ears. There is no urban hustle and bustle, only the murmuring water and the rustling breeze. The century-old architecture, the thousand-year-old Nile, and the ancient dunes all come together in one frame—every scene before your eyes is cinematic Middle Eastern romance. Here, slowing down is the only rhythm. There's no need to rush through an itinerary or join the crowds. Wake up to the morning light by the Nile, spend the afternoon lazily relaxing in the shade of the palm garden, and immerse yourself in the evening glow and gentle breeze. Every brick and tile holds the depth of time, and every breeze and drop of water writes the story of the Nile. If half of Egypt's romance lies in the grandeur of the pyramids, the other half must surely lie in the gentleness of Aswan. Staying at the Old Cataract Hotel is not just booking a room; it's stepping into a century of history, into the romantic suspense of Agatha Christie's writing, and into the gentle poem that has flowed along the Nile for thousands of years. This is the most moving and ultimate stay in Aswan—once you've been, you'll never forget it.
The "Forbidden City" of Egypt, you can't possibly see it all in an afternoon
Traveling from Aswan to Luxor, it was already afternoon, so my first stop was straight to the Karnak Temple on the East Bank of the Nile. The reason is simple: Karnak is the world's largest temple complex. Walking inside feels like falling into a stone labyrinth, with a sense of scale that reminds me of "touring the Forbidden City." · Before entering, you must walk along a processional way lined with ram-headed sphinxes. The ram's head is the incarnation of the god Amun. Between the front paws of each statue sits a small statue of Ramesses II. The pharaoh hid himself in the embrace of the god, which was both an act of piety and politics. It is said that this avenue extends 3 kilometers to the south and leads all the way to Luxor Temple. · Passing through the first pylon—a wall so massive that construction stopped before it was finished—you can still see the mud-brick ramps used by the ancient Egyptians to build it on the inner side. Entering the first courtyard, you are immediately met by several giant granite statues of Ramesses II. Yes, him again. After traveling around Egypt, this pharaoh is everywhere; he is at Abu Simbel, and he is at Karnak. Standing at the feet of the statue is Queen Nefertari, who only reaches about the height of his knees. In the small temple at Abu Simbel, she is as tall as the pharaoh, but here, the rules of scale have returned to the default. · Continuing inward, you enter the second pylon, and the most breathtaking space in Karnak appears before your eyes: the Great Hypostyle Hall. 134 giant sandstone columns are arranged in 16 rows, like a forest grown from stone. The 12 tallest ones in the center exceed 20 meters, and the lotus bud-shaped capitals at the top are large enough to hold nearly 100 people. Looking up, you can still see traces of paint from over 3,000 years ago on the columns; the red, blue, yellow, and green pigments are still roughly discernible under the slanting sunlight. It is said that the entire hall originally had a roof, and light only leaked in from the high clerestory windows in the center. The ancient Egyptians used this method to create an effect of "divine light" indoors. Now that most of the roof has collapsed, the sunlight pours in without obstruction, adding a magnificence of intersecting column shadows. · Passing through the Hypostyle Hall and heading deeper, the obelisk of Hatshepsut pierces the sky. Nearly 30 meters high and carved from a single piece of pink granite, it is the tallest surviving ancient obelisk in Egypt. This female pharaoh had a very cool sentence carved onto the monument: she built the memorial for her father Amun and plated it with the finest gold in the world. · Walking further into the depths of the temple, there is a granite scarab statue. It doesn't look like an ancient artifact and seems a bit inexplicable, but the guide said that walking around it 7 times makes your wishes come true. So, whether they believe it or not, tourists are all circling it, with expressions as pious as if they were completing some kind of ritual. · I originally thought that by reaching this point, I had almost finished touring Karnak Temple, but looking at the map, I realized we had only walked through a small part of the entire complex. It turns out that Karnak is not a place you can "finish seeing." It is too big and has too many elements—pylons, courtyards, hypostyle halls, obelisks, small temples, and open-air museums. Each one is worth stopping to examine closely, but stopping means you won't be able to finish the walk. · When I came out in the evening, the setting sun cast a long shadow from the rearmost obelisk, extending all the way to the stone slabs of the Hypostyle Hall. To be honest, the feeling Karnak gave me was completely different from Abu Simbel. If Abu Simbel is shocking—a miracle carved out by one person's power and faith—then Karnak is oppressive, a mountain of stone piled up over a thousand years. The former makes you marvel at the madness of one person, while the latter leaves you silent before the obsession of an entire civilization.
Traveling from Aswan to Luxor, I was captivated by a temple I just happened to pass by
Driving north from Aswan to Luxor takes several hours on the desert highway, passing through a small town called Edfu along the way. Before I left, my only knowledge of it was that it was a stop on the way. After all, I had already seen Philae and Abu Simbel, and I was a bit numb to temples. As it turned out, I was wrong again. · The Temple of Edfu is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, that character with the falcon head and human body who appears in the reliefs of almost every temple. In ancient Egyptian mythology, he is the god of the sky and the protector of all Egypt—pharaohs were considered the earthly incarnation of Horus. Construction of this temple began in 237 BC and took nearly 200 years to complete. · The first thing I saw after getting off the car was the pylon, so tall that I had to crane my neck way back. Both walls are carved with the same scene: a pharaoh holding a rope with captives in one hand and brandishing a weapon in the other, a gesture that feels like a declaration of sovereignty. Passing through the pylon, you enter a large courtyard surrounded on three sides by 32 columns. On one side of the courtyard sits a statue of Horus carved from black granite. What makes it unique is that it isn't in the falcon-headed human form, but is a real falcon, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, its sharp eyes staring at every visitor who enters. · Further inside is the hypostyle hall, the most spectacular part of the Temple of Edfu. The columns here get thicker and thicker; I almost lost my hat looking up at the tops. But what really made me stand there for half a day were the reliefs on the walls. The walls of Edfu are covered with the story of Horus's revenge, carved panel by panel like a comic strip, winding from the courtyard to the hypostyle hall and then to the outer corridor. It doesn't matter if you can't read hieroglyphs; even a layman like me could read the story all the way through, from Horus raising his spear to Set turning into a hippopotamus to flee, and finally being captured. · Next to the hypostyle hall is an inconspicuous little room with a door so low you have to duck to enter; many people walk right past it without a second glance. The guide said this was the perfume laboratory back in the day, with recipes for various balms and incenses carved on the walls. It is said that these recipes were later passed on to Europe and became one of the origins of French perfume. I stood in that little room, stunned for a moment. Above the temple were themes of revenge and divine power, while in the corner of the room were scents and recipes. It is hard to imagine that the ancient Egyptians managed to pack both the wars of the gods and the romance of humanity into the same building.
If I could keep only one moment from Egypt, I would choose this one
Returning to Aswan from Nubia Village, near the end of the trip, we switched from a cruise boat to a sailboat to experience Aswan’s famous sunset felucca. The felucca is a traditional single-mast wooden sailboat used on the Nile for thousands of years. It has no engine and relies solely on the wind. The boatman, a Nubian, walked barefoot on the deck, steering by adjusting the angle of a white triangular sail. Aswan’s stretch of the Nile is perfect for sailing. The river is wide, the current slow, and the wind blows gently from the desert, pushing the boat steadily forward. The water is unrealistically clear. The sun has started to set behind the sand dunes on the west bank. Within minutes, the color of the entire river surface shifts from bright blue to amber, then to orange-red. The sand dunes on the west bank glow deep red in the sunset, while the date palms on the east bank are reduced to silhouettes. Occasionally, one or two white sailboats pass in the distance, their sails shining like mirrors against the backlight. The river reflects the sky, blurring the line between water and sky. The felucca drifts slowly in this light. The wind softens, the sails slacken, and the boat slows until it almost stops in the middle of the river. The boatman is unhurried, sitting at the stern with his knees hugged, watching with us. This is my favorite moment in all of Egypt—not the pyramids, not the temples, not any 3,000-year-old building, but this wooden boat without an engine, a just-right breeze, and a river that returns the sunset to us. After docking, we didn’t head straight back to the hotel but went to Feryal Garden by the river. This small park is right next to the Old Cataract Hotel, with an entrance fee of only 50 EGP. The Old Cataract Hotel is Aswan’s most expensive hotel. Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Nile here. The hotel terrace boasts the best view of the Nile in the city, but the price of one coffee here could buy you an entire afternoon at Feryal Garden. Just a wall apart, the scenery is almost identical. The park is built on a granite plateau by the river. When we arrived, it was the end of dusk. The sun had already set behind the dunes, but the river breeze remained, and many sailboats still cruised the river. The park was filled with families with children, chatting young people, and locals taking wedding photos. The river breeze blew away the day’s heat. The gentle sunset felucca brought calm to the entire river, and Feryal Garden captured that calm, letting you linger a little longer on the shore.
In Nubian Village, I had the most unexpected afternoon in Egypt
The Nile River cruise ends at Nubian Village, and the scene before me suddenly felt like a completely different place. Rows of houses, each wall painted a different color, mainly peacock blue, paired with goose yellow, peach, mint green, and more. The walls were also decorated with many vivid murals. I stood at the alley entrance, stunned. This was nothing like the gray, dull African village I had imagined. · Later, I learned that the Nubians’ history predates the pharaohs. They are one of the oldest ethnic groups along the upper Nile, living for thousands of years along the riverbanks from southern Egypt to northern Sudan. They have their own language, beliefs, and are skilled in navigation and trade. When the Aswan Dam was built in the 1960s, Lake Nasser submerged their homeland. Most were relocated to newly built villages. The ground we stood on was rebuilt after they lost their homes. · Our guide took us into a Nubian household. The host was an older Nubian man with a graying beard, wearing a white robe, walking with purpose. The courtyard was small, with carpets on the ground, a few clay pots in the corner, and a row of colorful plates. He invited us to sit and went to prepare tea. Then I noticed a crocodile in the corner. It was small, its mouth tied with a rope. I stared at it for three seconds, and it blinked. The man saw my expression and smiled, saying “small one.” In their beliefs, the Nile crocodile is a guardian spirit, and having one at home was once thought to ward off evil. There was also a tortoise the size of a basin slowly crawling from one side of the yard to the other, as if it took a century to cross. · The tea arrived—Nubian mint tea, sweet to the point of being cloying, served with a cheese-filled pastry called kunafa and fried dough balls dipped in honey, incredibly sweet. By the second cup, the man brought out a hookah. The copper pot was oxidized to a dark green, and the tobacco was date-flavored, something I had tried in Turkey. · The biggest surprise was that I thought the older travelers in our group wouldn’t be interested in the home visit, but they were even more engaged than I was—interacting with the crocodile and tortoise, taking photos for a long time, chatting with the man using hand gestures, and all trying the hookah. What I expected to be a quick 10-minute stop turned into almost an hour. · Before we left, the man saw us off at the door, pointing to the eye painted on the wall and saying “good luck.” Looking back at the colorful alley, the sunlight made the paint shine brightly. A few cats were napping on the wall, and the shadows of the date palm grove stretched long in the distance.
A group of people spent 20 years salvaging a thousand-year-old temple from the water
After leaving the Aswan Dam, we prepared to head to our second stop in Aswan – the Philae Temple. Speaking of Philae Temple, it actually has a significant connection to the Aswan Dam – in 1902, after the Old Aswan Dam was completed, the temples on Philae Island began to suffer seasonal inundation, with water levels rising annually, eroding the colors on the reliefs inch by inch. By the 1960s, the newly constructed Aswan High Dam threatened to completely submerge this thousand-year-old temple. · It wasn't until UNESCO launched an unprecedented 'temple relocation' project that engineers and archaeologists from around the world spent nearly 20 years dismantling the temple into over 40,000 stone blocks, and meticulously reassembled it brick by brick on the nearby, higher Agilkia Island. Therefore, the Philae Temple we see today is not an original site, but a miracle 'salvaged from the water'. · To reach Philae Temple, one needs to transfer to a small boat operated by Nubian boatmen from Aswan's Philae Temple pier. The boat's motor chugged along the tranquil Nile River, the Nile's water an almost unreal blue, and the temple on the island was visible from afar. At first glance, the beige sandstone of Philae Temple shimmered with a honey-like luster in the sunlight, while the colossal reliefs on both sides, seen against the light, displayed sharply carved contours and contrasts. · Approaching the pylon, I was instantly speechless, awestruck by the reliefs before me. On the left was a scene of Ptolemy XII holding a blade, offering sacrifices to the goddess Isis and the god Horus; on the right, Isis spread her arms, protecting a procession of pharaohs. It's hard to imagine that these stones were submerged in the Nile's waters for decades; yet, the folds of clothing, strands of hair, and every stroke of the hieroglyphs remain as clear as if freshly carved, showing no signs of having endured thousands of years. · Passing through the pylon, we entered the temple's courtyard. The colonnades were neatly arranged, with capitals displaying a typical hybrid style – Greek acanthus leaves intertwined with Egyptian lotus flowers, a unique blend of aesthetics from the Ptolemaic dynasty. At the end of the courtyard was the inner sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis – it was here that Isis performed the resurrection ritual for her deceased husband Osiris, and from here, her son Horus set out to avenge his father, becoming the god of the sky. The relief on the wall depicting Isis nursing Horus, where maternal tenderness and divine solemnity merge, is the most moving image in the entire temple. · Strolling along the west side of the temple, there is a particularly striking structure – Trajan's Kiosk. Fourteen columns with floral capitals form an open square pavilion, without walls, allowing the wind to blow through from all directions. This was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD, reportedly to provide a resting place for the goddess Isis when she visited the island. · It's worth noting that many defaced faces and carvings can still be seen on the temple walls – remnants from the 6th century when Christianity arrived here. Philae Temple was the last pagan temple in Egypt to be closed, and some reliefs were deliberately damaged and inscribed with Coptic crosses. · Philae Temple was the first temple I saw on this trip to Egypt, and I examined it quite thoroughly, unlike later in the itinerary when I was completely aesthetically fatigued. However, the history and deities involved are so vast that it's truly not something one can digest all at once. I recommend doing some research before visiting.
What people are saying about Aswan
Nile
At that time, on the way from Luxor to Hurghada, I began to miss the Nile River infinitely. Every time I saw the river, I couldn't help but marvel in my heart. It was just a natural scenery, but it had an unreal beauty, flat and vast. I always lived in southern China and always thought that rivers came from valleys, magnificent or winding, with mountains on both sides, but the Nile River was still flat on both sides. I think there would be no Egypt without the Nile River. In such a hot and dry place that is not suitable for living, it should be this river that can pass through thousands of years without changing and keep people. Now, I have been away from Egypt for more than ten days. The most frequent flash in my memory is still the Nile River. Its beauty seems to allow anything to happen. I suddenly understand Agatha very much. If you face such a miracle every day, it is not surprising that you can write any story. Finally, I actually want to say that the Old Falls Hotel is worth staying (if the budget allows, but the afternoon tea is very bad, so be careful.
86338633Philae Temple
菲莱神庙，坐落在宁静的尼罗河岸，这座古希腊罗马时期的神庙，以其精湛的建筑艺术和丰富的历史故事，吸引着世界各地的游客。夕阳下，神庙的石柱和壁画更显神秘和庄重，让人仿佛穿越到了古埃及的辉煌时代。【景色】相对金字塔稍逊，不过整体不错【趣味】趣味一般【性价比】性价比极高
YoYo_0T9A3B0LAgilkia Island
The Philae Temple on Agilkia Island was originally located on Philae Island, a small island in the shallows of the Nile River. After the British built the Nile Low Dam in 1902, the Philae Temple was submerged for several months every year. With the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the Philae Temple would be forever submerged. For this reason, the temple was moved as a whole to the nearby Akilkiia Island. Akilkia Island was not big enough, so it was deliberately expanded a little so that the temple could be rebuilt in its original form.
误虚醉The High Dam
The Aswan Dam, located on the Nile River in Egypt, near the city of Aswan, about 800 kilometers south of Cairo, is a large-scale, multi-functional water conservancy project with benefits including irrigation, power generation, flood control, navigation, tourism, and aquaculture. The Aswan Dam is a giant dam near the Nasser Lake Reservoir. The dam site is located 7 kilometers upstream of the old Aswan Dam in the backwater area of the reservoir, with a water depth of approximately 30-35 meters. The river valley at the dam site is about 500 meters wide, with steep slopes on both banks that gradually recede upwards. At a point 100 meters above the riverbed, the valley width is approximately 3600 meters. The dam is a clay-core rockfill dam with a maximum height of 111 meters. At its highest water level of 183 meters, the reservoir has a total capacity of 168.9 billion cubic meters, and the power station has a total installed capacity of 2.1 million kilowatts, with a designed annual power generation of 10 billion kilowatt-hours. Construction began on January 9, 1960. The first generating unit went into operation on October 15, 1967. All generating units were installed and put into operation on July 15, 1970, and the entire project was completed in the same year.
水漫三楼Nubian Village Aswan
Nubian village is a must stop in Aswan. Across the Nile River from main town, it has a completely different feel from Egyptian cities. The people are incredibly friendly. Be sure to get a snack or two while you are there as well.
GullyUnfinished Obelisk
In ancient Egypt, obelisks served various purposes and functions. While most were monuments to Ra, the sun god and one of the most revered deities of ancient Egypt, some were also dedicated to famous Egyptian kings and queens. The unfinished obelisk is the largest known ancient obelisk. It is located in the northern part of an ancient stone quarry in Aswan, Egypt. It is said that the construction of this obelisk was commissioned by the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. In terms of size, this structure surpasses, in some respects, the largest obelisk ever built in Egypt. If completed, the obelisk may have reached a height of 41.8 meters and weighed approximately 1200 tons.
水漫三楼Elephantine
Wild elephants and baby elephants that just came out are super cute
Ever.N.CNubian Museum
景色不错，有比较突出的当地风情，值得推荐
小妖lengAswan Railway Station
When traveling to Aswan, you must visit the Abu Simbel Temple. The Abu Simbel Temple is located south of Aswan, Egypt. It is located on the shores of Lake Nasser and is one of the most famous temples in Egypt. There are many temples in Egypt, and the movie "Death on the Nile" introduced many temples.
老少皆宜（）Destinations near Aswan
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