Tour guide Abbas Sayed: serving as cultural exchange envoy between China and Egypt

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026.

Egyptian tour guide Abbas Sayed has been traveling between China and Egypt for more than two decades, dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.

His connection with China began in 2002, when he was preparing to enter Ain Shams University. Upon seeing Chinese characters for the first time in the university's Chinese Department library, he made the decision to learn the intriguing and beautiful language. That marked the start of a bond that would span over twenty years.

Having loved ancient Egyptian civilization since childhood, Abbas harbored a dream after learning Chinese: to introduce Egypt to Chinese people in their own language. After graduating from university, he chose to become a Chinese-speaking tour guide.

For Abbas, being a tour guide is more than just a job -- it carries the responsibility of introducing a country and spreading its culture. From the pyramids to temples to museums, he travels through historical and cultural sites, using fluent Chinese to introduce Egyptian civilization to visitors from China.

The Chinese language opened a window and built a bridge. From 2010 to 2013, Abbas worked at the China Cultural Center in Cairo, where he shifted from introducing Egypt to Chinese visitors to introducing China to Egyptians. He helped set up the "Chinese House," an exhibition space bringing together elements including the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, famous Chinese architecture, and images of China's cultural heritage, to introduce China to the Egyptian public.

Through these exchanges, his role has kept expanding. "I am willing to be a cultural envoy between China and Egypt, bringing the hearts of our two peoples closer together," he said. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt, July 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed visits the China Cultural Center in Cairo, Egypt, July 15, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt, July 11, 2026.(Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026.(Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Abbas Sayed reads a book at the library of the China Cultural Center in Cairo, Egypt, July 15, 2026.(Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026.(Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed introduces a Chinese character artwork at a Chinese culture exhibition titled "One character makes you fall in love with China" at the Cairo Opera House in Cairo, Egypt, July 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Giza pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt, July 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026.(Xinhua/Zhang Haobo)

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, July 2, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)