Luxor

The "world's largest open-air museum": Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank, the Valley of the Kings and the Queens' temples on the West Bank.

Luxor sits on the Nile in Upper Egypt, in the south of the country. This is ancient Thebes, the political and religious center of the New Kingdom, often called the "world's largest open-air museum" and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The East Bank is the "City of the Living": Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple are linked by the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Corniche is home to the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and the Winter Palace Hotel. The West Bank is the "City of the Dead": the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut's Temple, Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, the Nobles' Tombs and the Colossi of Memnon. A sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the West Bank is the signature experience. Day trips lead north to Dendera and Abydos, or south to Esna and the Temple of Edfu. Luxor is also the northern starting point for Nile cruises, with 3–4-night sailings south to Aswan (see also "Aswan & Abu Simbel"). The climate is tropical desert: October to April is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures of 20–30°C; from May to September temperatures often exceed 40°C, so sights should be visited early in the morning. Getting there: Cairo to Luxor is about 1 hour by air, or about 10 hours by sleeper train; to cross between the East and West Banks, take the public ferry, a motorboat, or the bridge to the south. We suggest staying 2–3 days. Tickets can be bought by card, and in-depth visitors can get the Luxor Pass. Notes: Chinese citizens can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa; horse-carriage drivers, touts and "helpful guides" are common, so agree on prices up front; tipping is customary, so carry small Egyptian pound notes; sun protection and drinking water are essential.

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