A number of other facilities have also mushroomed in the city owing to the boom in Aswan tourism. Many restaurants and excellent dining facilities have come up in the city and offer international cuisine alongside excellent Egyptian fare. Visitors to this part of Egypt rarely complain of lack of proper dining options and a growing influx of globetrotters have brought in continental and other culinary influences. The rich culture of Aswan has been further added to by these international influences and Aswan is now virtually the melting pot of Nubian, Egyptian and various other cultures. Its proximity to Africa marks it as the gateway to tourism in the continent.
Transportation options and adventure tourism have grown and flourished in Aswan. What was once a hub of trade and commerce as the first city of Egypt from the south and a major harbor on the Nile, soon acquired mammoth proportions as a tourist destination. Many hoteliers and hotel chains have taken advantage of this fact and have put up luxury resorts and deluxe hotels in the city. A number of budget accommodation options also exist for these desiring to traverse Egypt on a shoestring. Do visit Aswan, the gem of Egypt set amidst glorious locales and an exuberant oasis on the banks of the Nile.
History of Aswan
As rich the land is in its commercial affairs , the history of Aswan is more affluent and mysterious. The ancient Aswan was known as the Swen. People believed it to be not only the end of the world but also the consecrated genesis of the Blue Nile. The city , full of granite temples , for over a few centuries acted as the doorway to Africa and Nubian lands.
The present day name of the city is derived from ‘Souan’, which means ‘trade’. The nearby Elephantine Islands which is a part of Aswan was previously called the Yeb islands. The Yeb was one of the foremost commercial centers of Egypt. Ivory, gold, camels and caravans had made the island famous throughout Egypt. Yeb in Nubian means elephant and thus the Greeks began to call it as the Elephantine islands.
The location of Aswan is very strategic for which it was chosen as the capital of Upper Egypt in the ancient era. The Ptolemies made the city act as their base in order to stretch out to Central, Sudan and Nubia. The series of exquisite granite temples are still in the city as memoirs of the Ptolemic rule. The Temple of Philae is the most prominent instance of the immaculate architectural expertise of the Ptolemies.
The ancient Swan or Aswan was also famous for its granite quarries. Thousands of Egyptian statutues , obelisks, shrines and even pyramids are constructed out of the Syenite granite mined in Aswan. The city of Aswan was also a crucial military base of the ancient Egypt.
Whenever the reign of the land passed on to a new dynasty security of the city was tightened the more. Aswan was always a garrison town. Mention of Aswan can be found in the writings of Herodotus, Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy.Sightseeing in Aswan
You have come to Aswan in Egypt, the ancient town eighty-one miles south of Luxor. The sunny city of Aswan has the Egyptian name of Syene. Small places, which you can cover at a leisurely pace, enjoy a beautiful setting with the Nile flowing at one side. Life is slow out here as the city is reticent and calm with picturesque surrounding. You can spend your days strolling at leisure along the broad cornice watching the sailboats make their way onto the sea. The ambience is distinctly African with a lovely Egyptian name to boost, Syene with Nubian music on the background. The boats are replete with flame like light that radiate iridescent color over the waters as the boats graze the surface of the Nile. Life is a beautiful poetry where each moment outstands the other, so go-slow enjoy each step you take and simply live for the moment. Come Chill in Aswan with your beloved and sip champagne as you watch the sun go down the mesmerizing horizon.
While you come to the fantastic Liquid brown desert and the azure blue Nile beckons you with the most heart warming smile the roundness of the green islands amaze you by their lushness and gaiety, so come to the heart of Egypt and stay connected to Sightseeing in Aswan for more on the attractions of Aswan.
Festivals and Events in Aswan
Aswan's vibrancy and effervescence is reflected in the various festivals and events that takes place every year in the city's heart. Festivals in Aswan are not just a vent leading to fun. If you want to savour the choicest amalgamation of entertainment, religiosity and intellectualism , then Aswan is your destination to be.
The sulky waves of azure Nile, with series of palm groves on either side, the merry loving inhabitants and above all the mysticism of the place all has made Aswan a right place to host several festivals and events.
The two most rocking festivals of the city are the
- The Miracle of the Sun Festival
- International Symposium of Sculpture
The Miracle of Sun Festival is basically a native sacramental event where the people of city come together and celebrates the existence of King Ramses and the miracle of sun. Festivities are at its best and this is perhaps the most popular festival of Aswan.
The festival continues for two nights and people gather around the temple and plunge in the melodious song and native dances performed outside it. The celebrations continues till the next morning when the sun rises and flood the statuette of the sanctuary with its golden beams.
Previously the festival was not much popular but with the days passing by, Aswan began to evolve as one of the most happening tourist destination of Egypt. Consequently, the festival attracts thousands of outsiders every year.
The International Symposium of Sculpture is the second most important attracting thousands of admirers and sculptors across the world. This festival is going on in Aswan for more than a decade, and the creations which are formed here are put on a display at the open -air museum of the city.Things to do in Aswan
Aswan, the small region of Egypt that has a distinct African atmosphere is a nice place set in the beautiful backdrop of the Nile River. Relax in the peaceful atmosphere of the Aswan that is famous for its markets. Pas the lazy days leisurely in the restaurants or travel across the rive Nile. Aswan with its plethora of activities unravels the host of things that you can do while you are on a trip to Aswan.
Shopping in Aswan
The moment you arrive at the shopping district of Aswan, you world immediately realize that it almost a shopper's paradise. As you walk through the busy narrow lanes of the Aswan, you are bound to be interrupted by the shopkeepers who would try hard to sell their things. But do not be swayed by their emotions and pay off the prices they demand from you as the prices re often high than the normal. As the prices asked by them are generally higher by 20 to 30 % the best policy is haggling. If you somehow manage to do this, then Aswan has in store for you something more than you can imagine. In addition to the designer shawls, beautifully hand-woven carpet, try out the local spices that would reminding of Aswan every time you cook some of the handy delicacies out of these spices.
Entertainment in Aswan
Enjoy the lovely performances that are to mesmerize you.
Activities in Aswan
Two things famous in Egypt are the pyramids and the River Nile. Take one of the lovely cruises that enables you have a spectacular ride through the beautiful river Nile that flows through Egypt. Aswan the place for its markets mainly has some of the best tour packages that take you to the Abu Simbel. Enjoy the sunset and the sunrise from the awesome desert landscapes. Tour across Lake Nasser and visit the temples that are worth seeing. Experience the pleasure of the felucca ride. It is traditional river sailing vessels that take you to a tour across the upper Nile.
No visit to any place or site is complete if you fail to taste the local cuisines of that region. Aswan though small is of the renowned places famous for its spicy dishes prepare from the aromatic spices sold in the Aswan market. The restaurants of which some are decorated in the style of a tomb give you a feel of the place. In addition to the local cuisines you can taste the diversified cuisines that you can get in the various restaurants of Aswan.
Getting There
Aswan being one of the most commercially important cities of Egypt is well connected to all the parts of the country as well as the world. The Aswan International Airport is situated in the city and caters to both the domestic and international air services.
To reach Aswan by air it is better to first go to Cairo by any mode of Conveyance and then take a flight to Aswan from there. It would be both cheap and less time - consuming.
But if you are out for a long journey then bus service is the best way available for you. There are a few air-conditioned buses that link Aswan to most parts of the Egypt. In some cases you are required to make advance booking. In addition, there are some costly buses that assure you of a comfortable and smooth journey at a much high price, there are a lot many other buses that are comparatively cheap.Hotels in Aswan
