Egypt's Aswan welcomes Chinese tourists, Shaolin Kungfu artists

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Upper Egypt's Aswan Province is "the jewel of the Nile River" and it invites Chinese tourists to enjoy its unique archeological and cultural sites, Aswan governor said in an interview.

"Aswan gates are always open for the Chinese tourists and we would like them to visit and see the high level of security and safety in Aswan as well as the love, respect and warm welcome of Aswan people," said Ahmed Ibrahim, Aswan's governor.

Tourism in Egypt started to recover after years of recession due to political turmoil and relevant security challenges that resulted from the ouster of two heads of state in 2011 and 2013.

The temple of Hathor and Nefertari in Abu Simbel, south of Aswan, Egypt /VCG Photo

The tourism sector brought Egypt about 13 billion U.S. dollars in revenues in 2010 alone, when some 14.7 million tourists visited the country.

With regards to Chinese tourists, their number increased from about 135,000 in 2015 to 160,000 in 2016 and gradually to more than 300,000 in 2017, making China the fourth largest tourist exporter to Egypt according to official Egyptian and Chinese reports.

"The number of tourists coming from Asia, particularly from China, to visit Aswan, has greatly increased this year," Ibrahim noted. "We hope that the numbers will rise every year."

The southern Egyptian province is currently hosting the seventh edition of Aswan International Festival for Culture and Arts, which gathers more than 20 folklore bands and traditional art groups from at least 13 countries, including China's Shaolin Kungfu group.

The Great Temple in Abu Simbel, south of Aswan, Egypt./VCG Photo

Aswan governor, who attended the opening performances of the festival, said that he visited China many times, expressing appreciation of China and describing it as "a beautiful country with many unique cultural features."

Shaolin Kungfu, also called Shaolin Wushu, is one of the oldest, largest, and most famous styles of Chinese martial arts, and it was originated and developed at the Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan Province.

Aswan International Festival for Culture and Arts is regarded as a cultural and artistic gathering, said Ibrahim, adding that culture and arts are among the most important roots of communication, interaction and approach among people worldwide.

‍(Cover: An aerial view of the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency