Pyramids of Giza

• Location: Al Ahram,Al Haram. Giza. Cairo
• Opening hours : 8:00-16:00
• Fee: Tickets are 80 anglieu pounds, 50% off international student ID.(Some attractions require separate tickets)

The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are said to be the tombs of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs and were built before 2600 B.C. There are said to be more than a hundred of them, most of which are located in the desert on the Giza Plateau, southwest of Cairo, and are recognised as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World".

The Pyramids of Giza consist mainly of the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafra, the Pyramid of Menkara and the Great Sphinx. There are also many "mastabas" and small pyramids around. The three Great Pyramids were built by three emperors of the Fourth Dynasty, Khufu, Khafra and Menkara, between 2600 and 2500 BC. The Pyramid of Khufu is 146.6m high with a base length of 230.35m; the Pyramid of Khafra is 143.5m high with a base length of 215.25m; and the Pyramid of Menkara is 66.4m high with a base length of 108.04m. The largest of the 3 Great Pyramids is the Pyramid of Khufu, an almost solid monolithic body made of more than 2,000,000 megalithic blocks. Hordes of men hauled these boulders up the slopes of the ground and then stacked them in layers around the pyramid in a kind of scaffolding.

Almost all of the polished greyish-white limestone blocks that initially covered the outer layer of the pyramid have disappeared. What you see today are the yellowish lime boulders underneath, revealing their inner structure. In the centre of the pyramid there are chambers, which can be accessed through canals, and on top of which several large stone blocks weighing tens of tonnes are set up in tiers.

Pyramid of Khufu, the first Great Pyramid 

The Pyramid of Khufu, built around 2580 and completed 2560 years ago, is the largest and most well-known pyramid in the world, and the largest single ancient architectural object in the world in terms of mass, built with up to 2.3-2.5 million pieces of limestone, representing ancient civilisation and mystery. It is now 138.74 metres high (the original height was 146.59 metres, about 50 storeys high, and decreased in height due to age and weathering, earthquake damage, etc.). For more than 4,000 long years before the completion of the Eiffel Tower in France in 1889, the Pyramid of Khufu was the tallest building in the world. The extraordinary shape and flawless geometric angles give this magnificent structure an air of mystery. Around the Pyramid of Khufu, there are also some members of the royal family (the Queen, the wife of Khufu and Khufu's sister) and the graves of some dignitaries, which from afar looks like a starry night, setting off the incomparable power of the Pyramid of Khufu. It is important to know that being buried next to the Pharaoh was the greatest favour and reward he gave to his family and important officials. The exterior of the Pyramid of Khufu is in principle forbidden to climb, but if you don't take the steps and climb the first few floors, the police usually leave you alone. If it's really strange, you can also go inside for a visit. However, the interior passageways are narrow and steep, so you have to stoop down to walk, and the air circulation is not good. More importantly, the interior is not as full of funerary objects as one would expect - it's basically empty, so it's not recommended for those who are physically weak.

Fee: EGP 100

Pyramid of Khafre, the second largest pyramid 

Built by Khafre between 2520 and 2494 B.C., the Pyramid of Khafre is located southwest of the Pyramid of Khufu, the father of Khufu, and is called "The Great Khafre". Visually, the Pyramid of Hafra is taller than the Tower of Khufu, but in fact Hafra's tower is 136 metres high. The top of the Pyramid of Al Hafra, which still contains some of the marble used for decoration at the time, is more handsome than the majestic Pyramid of Khufu, and has been called the "Beautiful Pyramid". There are two entrances on the north side of the pyramid where visitors can see the funerary temple where the mummies were mummified and the Valley Temple. The interior of the Pyramid of Hafra is also accessible, and is perhaps not as beautiful as the Pyramid of Khufu, but more claustrophobic.

Fee: EGP 30

Pyramid of Menkaure, the third largest pyramid

The Pyramid of Menkaure, built by Menkaure and located to the south-west of the first two pyramids, is the smallest of the three pyramids, at 62 metres high (from the original height of 66.5 metres). However, it is unique in that the lower outer layers of the pyramid are made of granite. Visitors are no longer allowed to enter the interior.

The Sphinx of Hafra

On our way to the Pyramid Valley Temple of Hafra, we can see the famous Sphinx sculpture, a statue of a lion with the face of a pharaoh, one of the most legendary monuments in the world. The Sphinx, also known as the "Sphinx", which means "Father of Terror" in Arabic, is 73 metres long, more than 21 metres high, and its face is 5 metres wide. Its head was carved in accordance with the appearance of Pharaoh Hafurah. The statue of the Sphinx is majestic, with a solemn expression as it gazes into the distance. The statue sits west to east, crouching beside the tomb of Hafla.Almost every visitor to the Sphinx takes a picture of the Sphinx "kissing" the wrong side of it. Climbing up the corridor next to the Sphinx, you can do the same. You can also take a photo of the Sphinx leaning on or kissing the pyramid in a variety of positions.

Temple of Khafra Valley

Next to the Sphinx is the Temple of Khafre Valley, which has a rigorous and impressive layout, made of hard granite marble, huge stones and fine workmanship. Inside the temple there are many halls, funerals and rituals are held here. As soon as you enter the temple, you will see a well. Legend has it that Cleopatra had a dream about this well and believed that it could bring good luck to people, so when people came to the temple, they would throw coins into the well to honour the gods and pray for blessings. The temple's huge granite walls are illuminated by small windows. Passing through the temple, you can get a close-up view of the Sphinx. The west side of the temple is connected to the Pyramid of Hafra.

Solar Boat Museum

The Solar Boat was specially made in ancient Egypt for the pharaohs to follow the sun god as he flew across the sky when he ascended to the heavens after his death, and the pharaoh's spirit would follow the sun god in the other world and return to this world afterwards. It is believed that after Khufu's death, his mummy was transported from Memphis, the capital at that time, to Giza in a sun boat and buried in the pyramid, and then the boat was dismantled into 1,224 pieces and placed in the pit. The unearthing of the Khufu Sun Ship is considered to be the greatest discovery of the 20th century and the most complete ancient vessel ever unearthed worldwide, with significant research value. The large ship was partly made of cedar wood and is still in good condition. Other tools have also been found on board. The boat is 43.5 metres long, 5 metres high at the bow and 7 metres high at the stern, and is now a unique museum located south of the Pyramids of Khufu.

Fee: 25 Egyptian pounds

Open hours: 9:00-16:00

How to get Pyramids of Giza?

Metro line 2 will take you to Giza, get off at E1 Giza station (not the final stop), which is 8km away from the pyramid viewpoint, and you can get there by minibus, including buses 900 and 997, which cost EGP 0.5-2, but the parking spot is a 5-minute walk from the viewpoint. Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly to the entrance of the site for EGP 15-20.

The best itinerary to visit Pyramids of Giza

7 Days Best of Egypt Tour

Cairo, Kom Ombo, Edfu , Aswan, Luxor

View Details >

Travel tips

• Inside the pyramid is prohibited to take pictures and photography, the Sun Boat Museum can use the camera and video camera, but can not use the flash Pyramids scenic area is large, and all the desert, physical strength or not much time, you can choose to ride a camel tour. Once you enter the scenic area, there are a lot of people will ask you whether to ride a camel, just talk about the price, and make it clear whether you need to pay another tip. Generally speaking, a camel tour of the Three Pyramids and the Sphinx takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours and costs around EGP 50-100 for a camel.
• When night falls, the Pyramids of Giza also have a sound and light show, which is worth seeing.
•  The Giza Pyramids are the place where most of the scammers are found, anti-scamming tips.

1. Do not give any vendors, livestock and livestock photo, even if he said it is free!。Don't let the locals take your picture, even if he says it's free, if you need someone to help you, look for Asian, or European or American tourists.
2.  careful to buy and sell, some vendors will suddenly clothes and other goods suddenly thrown into your arms, do not keep, must be thrown to him or put underground
3.  inside there are some fake staff, when you climb up the pyramid of the bottom photo, there will be someone over to call you down, and then help you find a photo very good position, tell you a very good posture (he said the location of the photo is indeed very good), after the tube to ask you for money!
4.  about camel riding, horseback riding, all the livestock holding said 1 $, but do not believe, 1 $ is only on the horse fee, once you go up will not allow you to come down, down they change the price. Make sure you say how much you will pay for the ride, and pay attention to the unit, because sometimes they are cheating, they say 20 pounds, but it may be 20 dollars.