Part of the ancient city of Thebes that was the ruling seat of
power for 1,350 years, Luxor is a major tourist destination,
particularly for those interested in ancient Egypt, and the area
boasts an exceptionally rich legacy of temples, tombs and
monuments. Around these relics of ancient Egypt's celebrated
history, are signs of the prosperous industry of the modern day -
tourism. The town is crowded with souvenir shops, hotels and
restaurants, while the Nile River carries feluccas and luxury hotel
ships. The streets are filled with the cries of shop owners,
horse-drawn carriages (caleches), taxi drivers and tour guides, all
offering their services to the newly arrived traveller, whether
wealthy tourist or economizing backpacker. The action on the street
is almost as captivating as the temples they have come to see.
Whereas the impressive structures of the Temples of Luxor and of
Karnak are within the town itself, the biggest attractions lie on
the west bank across the Nile, where the funerary complexes of the
Tombs of the Nobles, the Valley of the Kings, and Valley of the
Queens relate the fascinating story of the ultimate resting places
of ancient royalty.
