Cairo & Giza

An ancient capital on the Nile, with the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum; Egypt was the fastest-growing country in UN Tourism's 2025 rankings.

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and one of the largest cities in Africa and the Arab world. It lies at the head of the Nile Delta; the city proper is on the east bank (Cairo Governorate), while the west bank and the plateau with the pyramids belong to Giza Governorate, and the two have long since merged into one metropolis. The sights fall into four areas: first, the Giza Plateau with the pyramids, the Sphinx and the adjacent Grand Egyptian Museum (fully opened in November 2025); second, the area around Tahrir Square, with the old Egyptian Museum, Nile cruises and Zamalek Island; third, Islamic Cairo, with Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Al-Azhar Mosque, Al-Muizz Street and the Saladin Citadel; and fourth, the Coptic quarter of Old Cairo (the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue). Saqqara's Step Pyramid and Dahshur's Bent Pyramid, 30 km to the south, make a good day trip. The climate is desert: Oct–Apr is cool (daytime 20–25°C) and the best time to visit, with chilly mornings and evenings in Dec–Jan; in Jun–Sep daytime temperatures often exceed 38°C, so only go out in the early morning and evening; Mar–May occasionally brings sandstorms. Getting there and around: Cairo International Airport (CAI) has direct flights from Beijing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and other cities, or you can connect via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul. Chinese citizens can get a visa on arrival (about USD 25) or an e-visa. The airport is 45–60 minutes from downtown; use Uber or Careem rather than haggling with taxis. Traffic is heavy, so allow 1 hour to cross town; Metro Lines 1–3 connect Tahrir Square, the Coptic quarter and the airport direction at low fares. Recommended stay: 3–4 days, followed by a 3–4 day Luxor–Aswan Nile cruise. Notes: at the pyramids, "free" camel rides, guiding and photos almost always cost money, so agree the price first; tipping is common at sights and in markets (EGP 10–50); women are advised to dress conservatively, and mosques require long trousers and sleeves and removing your shoes; visits are restricted during Friday noon prayers; do not drink tap water; use both Egyptian pound cash and cards, and most museum tickets can be bought online.

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Itineraries