- Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt, where Chinese travelers are exploring the Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Egypt welcomed around 360,000 Chinese tourists in 2025, facilitated by electronic visas and visas on arrival.
- Cairo International Airport launched a digital Visa-on-Arrival system on Aug 1.
- China and Egypt strengthened archaeological cooperation with joint excavations at Karnak Temple Complex and Sekhmet Temple site.
- The exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt at the Shanghai Museum (July 2024–August 2025) recorded over 2.77 million visitors.
- Egypt is catering to growing Chinese demand by adding Chinese-language support, including licensed Chinese-speaking guides and Chinese signage.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Egypt aligns with a notable increase in Chinese tourism, particularly to the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened fully in November and houses over 57,000 artifacts.1
Egypt welcomed around 360,000 Chinese tourists in 2025, thanks to new electronic visa options and a digital Visa-on-Arrival system launched at Cairo International Airport.23
Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, noted a growing curiosity among young Chinese audiences about ancient Egyptian civilization, as evidenced by the 2.77 million visitors to the Shanghai Museum's exhibition on the subject.5
To meet this demand, Egypt is enhancing its cultural offerings by introducing licensed Chinese-speaking guides and Chinese signage at major attractions.
Cong Sen, an analyst at Trip.com Group, emphasized the importance of professional guided tours for Chinese visitors to fully appreciate the museum's exhibits.
Hussein Bassir, former general supervisor of the museum, described it as a major cultural gateway to Egypt's ancient civilization, highlighting the potential for a lasting bridge between Egypt and China.
Recent archaeological cooperation between the two nations has led to significant discoveries, further enriching the cultural exchange.
Gao, an expert in archaeological exchanges, noted that these collaborations have broadened the horizons of Chinese audiences regarding ancient Egypt, fostering a sense of pride in both civilizations.
“The Shanghai Museum's ancient Egypt exhibition drew over 2.77 million visitors, reflecting deep Chinese curiosity. Egypt welcomed 360,000 Chinese tourists in 2025, aided by new e-visas and a digital Visa-on-Arrival at Cairo airport.”
