Luxor is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt and the capital of the Al Uqsur governorate, population approximately 150,000.
As the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, Luxor has frequently been characterised as the "world's greatest open air museum", the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor standing within the modern city.
Immediately opposite, across the Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.
Thousands of international tourists arrive each year to visit these monuments, their presence forming a large part of the economic basis for the modern city.
As a result, Luxor represents an excellent base for touring Upper Egypt, and is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or finishing point for Nile cruises.
The economy of Luxor, like that of many other Egyptian cities, is heavily dependent upon tourism. Large numbers of people also work in agriculture, particularly sugarcane.
EAST BANK OF LUXOR
The East Bank of Luxor refers to the central part of Luxor township, centred on the twin foci of the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak. Unlike the West Bank, which was ever the main area for cemeteries and mortuary temples, the East Bank represented the main settlement of the living throughout the millennia - a role that has hardly changed. The vast majority of hotels and tourist facilities are to be found in the East Bank.
The West Bank of Luxor in Egypt is even more of an archaeological paradise than the East Bank. A string of pharaonic mortuary temples vies with the richly-decorated Tombs of the Nobles and the Workmens' Village of Deir el-Medineh for the traveller's attention. The West Bank is also the gateway to the amazing Valley of the Kings. Although the vast majority of visitors to Luxor still tend to stay on the East Bank, a growing number now consider the West Bank as a good accommodation option - once you're awake, no need to bother crossing the river.... all the sights are right at your doorstep.
Main sights of West Bank, Luxor:
Luxor is served by an international airport, Luxor International Airport.
A bridge was recently constructed a few miles upstream of the main town of Luxor, allowing ready land access from the East Bank to the West Bank.
Traditionally, however, river crossings have been the domain of several ferry services. The so-called 'local ferry' (also known as the 'National Ferry') continues to operate from a landing opposite the Temple of Luxor. This ferry is mainly used by the locals although a number of braver foreigners do use it.
The sites on the West Bank are further than you think, you will need transport, a taxi-driver may well approach you on the ferry, make sure you agree a price. Alternatively feluccas line the East Bank of the Nile all day providing a cheap and leisurely sail to the other side.
For domestic travel along the route of the Nile, a rail service operates twice a day. A morning train and sleeping train can be taken from the station situated around 1 mile from Luxor Temple. The line runs between several major destinations, including Cairo to the north and Aswan to the south.
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DISCOVER LUXOR, Egypt
Immediately opposite, across the Nile River, lie the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank Necropolis, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens.
EAST BANK OF LUXOR
