For this museum, I am willing to visit Egypt again
On the first afternoon in Cairo, everyone decided to go back to the hotel for a nap, so I temporarily decided to visit the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum. Since I had just seen the old Egyptian Museum in the morning, I didn't have much expectation for the Grand Egyptian Museum (when I visited, the artifacts from the old museum had not yet been moved to the new one). Unexpectedly, it was quite impressive. By the time I finished exploring, the sun was already setting, and I had only seen about seventy to eighty percent of it.
·
Unlike the cramped old museum, the first impression of the Grand Egyptian Museum is truly worthy of being the largest single-civilization museum in the world. The translucent giant stone facade looks like ancient rock rising from the ground, and the roof edge aligns precisely with the tip of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. No wonder it is called the "Fourth Pyramid."
·
However, I must complain that it is very unfriendly to visitors on foot. Just crossing the street opposite the museum was extremely difficult. There is a highway in the middle with no pedestrian passage, and heavy traffic made several attempts to cross fail. In the end, only with the help of locals was I able to dash across, which was quite exhausting.
·
Security at the Grand Egyptian Museum is quite strict, very different from the lax old museum. Passing through the triangular glass entrance resembling a pyramid, the view instantly expands infinitely. Looking over the spacious atrium, the first thing that catches your eye is the 12-meter-tall statue of Ramses II.
·
Ramses II is one of the greatest pharaohs in ancient Egyptian history, and the famous Abu Simbel temples are his masterpiece. This colossal statue was discovered in Memphis in the early 19th century and remained there for over a century before being transported to Cairo in the 1950s. Now, standing in the most prominent spot of the Grand Egyptian Museum, this statue has found its best home.
·
Passing the statue of Ramses II, you reach what I consider the most spectacular grand staircase in the museum, like entering a time tunnel. Climbing the steps, 87 statues of pharaohs, obelisks, and huge sarcophagi line both sides like a silent honor guard, unfolding as you ascend. From the realistic solemnity of the Old Kingdom to the ornate complexity of the New Kingdom, each statue tells the glory of a dynasty in granite and basalt. The most breathtaking part is that with each step you take, the giant glass wall behind you reveals more of the Great Pyramid of Khufu—it's as if you are not walking toward an exhibition hall but traveling back in time, from the modern world to the realm of the gods.
The exhibition halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum are a series of open spaces arranged with the same slope as the grand staircase, so the visitor route naturally descends, roughly following a chronological order from prehistoric times to the Greco-Roman period, passing through the Middle and New Kingdoms. Each era is divided into three vertical themes: "Society," "Kingship," and "Belief," forming a total of 12 exhibition halls. Walking through them, the halls are much larger than I expected, and the displays are indeed beautiful. However, the exhibits are numerous and complex. Faced with a dazzling array of pottery, coffins, small statues, and hieroglyph-covered artifacts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose focus. Personally, I think it’s less focused and prominent compared to the old museum.
·
Tips:
✅ Gear: The air conditioning inside is very strong, so be sure to bring a light jacket.
✅ Photography: Photos are allowed, but flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited.
✅ Guide: It’s recommended to rent a Chinese audio guide; don’t trust the “wild guides” soliciting at the entrance.
✅ Food & Drink: There is a dining area on the first floor. Although the value is average, it includes popular local Egyptian restaurants where you can try specialties like Pharaoh’s pigeon stew and koshari. Remember to control portion sizes when ordering.