Cairo
Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)
Egypt's number one tourist attraction
Giza Plateau
Cairo, 12561
Nearest Train: Giza.
Phone: +20 2 383 8823
The most famous site in Egypt, and the one that appears on almost every tour package, this is the oldest and largest of the pyramids on the Giza Plateau. Built by the IV Dynasty pharaoh Khufu (better known as Cheops) around B.C. 2570, this 140-meter-high monument contains an estimated 2.3 million blocks averaging 2.5 tons. Its purpose is controversial: Many believe it was the ancient burial chamber of the pharaoh and his queen, while others suggest it had astronomical functions. As no inscriptions or mummies were found inside, speculation continues. It is now illegal to climb the pyramid, but you can go inside. After a descent at a crouch, a steep ascending passage leads to the Grand Gallery and two chambers. The King's Chamber contains a lidless granite sarcophagus while the so-called Queens Chamber was found empty. A separate ticket is required to enter each pyramid and the Solar Boat Museum.
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