5 Things to Know Before Going to Abu Simbel Temple, a Love Story Spanning a Thousand Years
If there's anything that gives people a headache in their trip to Egypt, Abu Simbel is definitely on the list.
1. Location of Abu Simbel: As the most difficult temple to reach in Egypt, Abu Simbel is located on the border between Egypt and Sudan, very remote. It takes 7 hours to go back and forth from the nearest Aswan, and 'to go or not to go' has become a problem for many people.
2. Is it worth it? There must be a reason why this remote temple is always talked about. Whether it's Ramses II's narcissism or his thousand-year love with Nefertari, whether it's UNESCO's hard rescue or the beautiful lake view, not to mention the spectacle of the sun day, there are too many legendary stories here.
3. There are two temples here, which were discovered by Swiss explorers in 1813 and were able to see the light of day again. They are all carved out of the mountain, which is quite unique. The contrast between light and shadow is great for taking pictures; the inside and outside of the temple are like two worlds, the inside is very dark and there is basically no natural light, and every time you go in and out, your eyes have to adapt for a while.
4. Four main ways to go to Abu Simbel Temple
🔸Bus tour
Leave at 4 am and return to Aswan at noon. It's easy and cheap, but the temple is crowded when you visit. I personally don't like this way of getting up early and rushing (mainly because I can't get up)
🔸Bus free travel
Go back and forth to the bus station by yourself, one way is about 100 Egyptian pounds, save money and time is free, need some DIY ability
🔸Charter
The time of chartering is more casual, just need to do a good job of price research and psychological expectations, overall it will be much more expensive than free travel but save time
🔸Plane free travel
Abu Simbel Airport is only 4km away from the temple, and you can see the temple and Lake Nasser on the plane; actually you can also join a group by plane, I met many Europeans and Americans who are very cool, Aswan flies 45 minutes to Abu Simbel Airport, Egypt Airlines has a free bus directly to the temple entrance, this way can also avoid the crowd but it is more expensive
5. Recommended mode of transportation: plane to, minibus back
I flew directly from Cairo to Abu Simbel (airport code ABS, stopover in Aswan), arrived at the temple entrance at 11 am, the disadvantage is that with all the luggage to find a place to store, fortunately, a small commodity street at the temple entrance found a place to store, finally bought some things to express thanks (not to buy also line);
After a relaxed visit to the temple, I took a tutu for 20 pounds to the city for lunch, then walked to the Public Bus Station and took a mini bus back to Aswan, the bus leaves when it is full, 100 pounds/person, locals only need about 70, initially quoted 150 pounds I was quite firm and bargained to 100 pounds, luggage can be tied to the roof for free, don't worry.
UNESCO site! Definitely worth the 3 and half hours car ride to see the temples. And to think they moved them is just wow!
It's all 3500 years old, very spectacular and shocking. Depart at 4 in the morning, 8 hours drive to and from, it is worth visiting. World Heritage Sites, engineers from all countries are also very amazing.
Originally not in this location, this is because of the construction of the Aswan Dam, so the original relics are moved here as a whole. The statue is lifelike and the interior is very mysterious, but you can't take pictures. Someone checks the camera.
Abu Simbel Temple, located in the southwest of Aswan, was built by the great Ramses II for his beloved concubine Nefertali. It is a very fascinating and romantic place. Starting at 4 a.m., escorted by the desert guard, although it was very hard, it was worth all the hard work to see the huge stone statue. There was also a magic phenomenon. Every year at a fixed time, the sun's rays would shine on the king's face in the three-storey hall, which could not be said to be a miracle. So here we hold the Sun Festival every year, and people all over the world would wait here. Here, watch the crystallization and wonder of human wisdom.
Abu Simbel Temple, also known as Abu Simbel Temple, is situated on the West Bank of Lake Nasser. It consists of an archway gate built on a cliff, a giant statue of Ramses II on a cliff, a front and rear pillar hall and a shrine. There are two giant temples carved from rocks, which are dedicated to the goddess of Putah, Amundra, La Halahertia and the deified Ramses II and the nearby temples dedicated to the goddesses of Hartol and La. The little temple of Queen Nefertari, the beloved wife of Messis II. Two days a year, the sun shines directly into the temple. The four holy statues in the temple can be illuminated except Anubis, the God of death, in the darkness.
Aswan was still asleep at 4 a.m. and we said goodbye to the cruise ship and went to the temple of Abu Simbel. But it wasn't sleepy at all. It was estimated that the jet lag had little effect on me, so I went to sleep. After crossing the desert in three and a half hours, we arrived at the temple. We had arrived at the border between Sudan and Egypt and drove about 280 kilometers. Along the way, guard cars escorted a lot of two cars and drove in together. So the importance of the temple is obvious. The ticket should be 100 A. P., but each of us spent 115 U. S. dollars on this self-funded project. The exquisite sculpture is all done on stone, but there seems to be a gap compared with Chinese murals. It may be a different feeling.
After lunch, he and his son went to visit Abu Simbel Temple 100 kilometers from the border between southern Egypt and Sudan. The temple is 280 kilometers away from Aswan. It takes eight hours to cross the Sahara desert, but the dogs are always interested and have no complaints. I am very gratified. Abu Simbel Temple is the two cave temples built by the famous Pharaoh Ramses II for himself and his wife Nafiltari in parallel size. It differs greatly from other Egyptian temples in construction methods. Located on the West Bank of Lake Nasser, the temple consists of an archway gate built on a cliff, a giant Ramses II cliff statue, a front and rear pillar hall and a shrine. Abu Simbel, along with many of its downstream sites to Philadelphia, is designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Since the Aswan Dam was built in 1966, the temple was moved to the back hill, which is more than 60 meters above the river bed level. It is a successful attempt to protect the world's cultural relics. (This section of knowledge is widely copied from Baidu Encyclopedia.) "Egyptian gods, please hear my prayer - Osiris God, please bless me, let me have the next life again. God Heras, please grant me courage and fighting power to fight again for the protection of my territory. God Amon, please protect my soul and fly to the distant afterlife. Goddess Habi, please take care of me again. Let me take her to you. " This is Ramses II's prayer carved in the temple, full of affection for his wife, Nafirtari.