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The layout of downtown Cairo goes back to the 1860s, when Khedive Ismail had it rebuilt in the style of Haussman's new Paris boulevards to impress dignitaries attending the inauguration of the Suez Canal. Cutting an X-shaped swathe through the area are the main throughfares of Talaat Harb and Qasr el-Nil (each about 1km long), which contain most of the city's budget hotels, airlines and travel agencies. Almost every visitor gravitates here at least once, while many spend a lot of time checking out the restaurants, shops and bars. Inevitably, hustling tourists is a major industry; the guys touting for perfume shops are especially adept at distinguishing gullible newcomers from khawaga s who've been around a while. But don't brush off every approach as a sales ploy - passers-by may bid you "Welcome to Egypt" with no motive other than courtesy. Although overshadowed by Talaat Harb and Qasr el-Nil, four streets running east off the northern end of Talaat Harb are equally integral to downtown Cairo: Sharia Abdel Khaliq Sarwat , Sharia Adly , 26th July Street and Sharia Alfi Bey .
Your Tip for Downtown Cairo
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