Egypt Sees Surge in Chinese Tourists During Spring Festival

Cairo, Egypt – February 23, 2026 – Egypt is experiencing a significant increase in tourism from China during this year’s Spring Festival, driven by the country’s rich cultural heritage and improved travel accessibility. Chinese tourists are exploring Egypt’s iconic landmarks, from the pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the temples of Luxor and Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts.

Growing Numbers and Deepening Exchange

The influx of Chinese tourists highlights the deepening people-to-people exchanges between China and Egypt. In 2025, Egypt welcomed a record nearly 19 million tourists, a 21 percent increase from the previous year, with 360,000 of those visitors originating from China. Egyptian officials are aiming to attract 3 million Chinese tourists by 2028.

Tourist Experiences

Liu Dan, a traveler from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, shared her experience, stating, “Yesterday we visited the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and today we’re planning to explore the Egyptian Museum and old downtown Cairo.” She emphasized Egypt’s status as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, blending ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Islamic cultures.

Han Shu, a Chinese teacher from Henan Normal University, included Egypt as a stop on his family’s journey through Thailand and Uzbekistan. His itinerary focuses on historical sites, including Cairo and a Nile cruise to Luxor. “We love cities rich in ancient civilization and full of cultural charm,” he said.

Local Guides Benefit from Increased Tourism

The rise in Chinese tourism is also benefiting local guides. Youssef El-Hady, a Chinese-speaking tour guide at Luxor Temple, noted, “For us as guides, the Chinese Spring Festival is an annual season we look forward to every year,” adding that this year has seen a noticeable increase in Chinese visitors compared to previous years. He also highlighted the increasing number of Egyptians studying Chinese, facilitating seamless communication with tourists.

Egypt’s Tourism Strategy

Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee in Upper Egypt, expressed confidence that Chinese tourists will become a major contributor to Egypt’s tourism market in the coming years, noting that Chinese tourism is currently achieving record levels. Egypt is considered “user-friendly” to Chinese tourists, further supporting the growth in this sector.