[2025 Addis Ababa Attraction] Travel guide for St. George Church (updated Dec)

Unique urban layout: Addis Ababa has a unique urban layout, with no obvious planning axis, and streets and buildings scattered across the plateau. The city center is a striking contrast of skyscrapers and traditional low-rise houses. Modern commercial buildings and government buildings show the city's development and progress, while colorful traditional houses retain a strong African flavor, with narrow streets bustling with people, full of life and vitality. Fusion of architectural styles: The city's architecture is a fusion of many elements, from ancient Ethiopian traditional architecture, such as the unique octagonal shape of St. George's Cathedral, inspired by the tents of local nomads, reflecting the inheritance of traditional culture; to European architecture influenced by the Italian colonial period, such as some Baroque churches and palaces, which bear witness to that special period of history; in addition, in recent years, with the development of the city, many modern high-rise buildings have emerged, such as the African Union headquarters building, showing Addis Ababa's firm steps towards modernization.

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia, located in the central highlands of the country, and is the headquarters of the African Union. Figures 1-6: The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa is an important religious site in Ethiopia. The cathedral was built in the early to mid-1900s, blending European architectural styles with traditional Ethiopian elements. The exterior decoration is exquisite. Figures 7-9: Debre Libanos Monastery, founded in the 13th century (1284) by St. Tekle Haymanot of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, is one of Ethiopia’s most prestigious monasteries. It was once the core educational center of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and its abbot, known as the "Ichege," held the second highest position in the church after the Patriarch. The current main church was built in 1961 (commissioned by Emperor Haile Selassie), featuring a dome design, a facade decorated with colorful mosaic murals, and an interior preserving medieval religious artifacts. The original building was destroyed multiple times (such as during the 1531 Muslim invasion and the 1937 massacre of 800 monks by Italian forces). The present structure is a modern-style church rebuilt on the original site. Figures 10-11: Addis Ababa University is the largest public comprehensive university in Ethiopia, founded in 1950, with its main campus located in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The university originated as the University College of Addis Ababa, established by Canadian Jesuit missionary Dr. Lucien Matte. It was renamed Haile Selassie I University in 1962 and adopted its current name in 1975. Figure 12: The African Victory Monument in Addis Ababa, built in 1960, commemorates Ethiopia’s victory over the Italian invasion in the 19th century (Battle of Adwa) and the anti-colonial independence movements across African countries. Designed by Ethiopian artists, it combines traditional Ethiopian elements with modern memorial architectural styles. Figure 13: The equestrian statue of Emperor Menelik II in Addis Ababa honors Emperor Menelik II (reigned 1889-1913), the unifier of modern Ethiopia and founder of Addis Ababa. He is famous for defeating the Italian invading forces at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, making Ethiopia the only African country to maintain its independence at that time. The statue was designed by German architect Karl Herter and commissioned by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930. It is located near St. George’s Cathedral in Menelik II Square, made of bronze (gilded surface), depicting Menelik II riding a warhorse, symbolizing his military leadership and national independence spirit. Figures 14-17: The National Museum of Ethiopia, established in 1944, is located on King George Street in Addis Ababa. The museum consists of two buildings serving permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is famous for displaying a replica of the 3.2 million-year-old upright-walking "Lucy" fossil. The collection includes paleoanthropological fossils, gold and silver coins from the Aksum period, and ethnographic artifacts.

Ethiopia here i come!

Friends, here's a complete guide to a 21-day multi-country tour of South Africa! Check out this guide to make the most of your trip! -- 🛫Itinerary: Day 1: Shanghai → Addis Ababa. Meet at 8:30 pm at Pudong T2. Days 2–3: Arrive in Johannesburg. Visit Sun City and Pretoria, stay at the Palace of the Lost City, and visit the Voortrekker Monument. Days 4–7: Head to George, Knysna, Mossel Bay, and Cape Town. Visit the Post Office Tree and Cape Town, take a Cape Peninsula tour, and visit Table Mountain and the Bo-Kaap. Days 8–12: Fly to Windhoek. Visit Sossusvlei National Park, take a boat tour to see seals, and visit the Himba tribe. Days 13–16: Head to Ghanzi and Maun. Visit a San village, explore the Okavango Delta, and take a boat tour on the Chobe River to see wildlife. Days 17–18: Visit Chobe National Park, head to Livingstone and Victoria Falls, and visit Victoria Falls. Days 19–20: Return to Addis Ababa. Visit the city and St. George's Cathedral. Day 21: Addis Ababa → Shanghai. End of tour! -- Recommended attractions: Cape of Good Hope ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📍Cape Point Rd, Cape Peninsula, Cape Town, 8001 🕘Open 9:30 am–5:30 pm 🕐Recommended visit time: 1–2 hours See the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and enjoy the beauty of the waves. Boulders Penguin Colony ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📍4 Boulders Place, Secluse Ave, Simons Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa 🕗Open 8 am–5 pm 🕑Recommended visit time: 2 hours Get up close to adorable penguins and see their home. Victoria Falls ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📍Mosi-o-tunya Road, Livingstone, Zambia 🕕Open 6 am–6 pm 🕑Recommended visit time: 2–4 hours See the spectacular waterfall and feel the power of nature. -- 🧳 Packing list: 📘 Documents: Passport and visa. Don't forget to make a copy. 🔌 Electronics: Phone, charger, power bank, and a plug adapter for South Africa. 👕 Clothing: The weather in South Africa is mild in February. Bring light clothing and a windbreaker. 👟 Shoes: Comfortable sneakers for long walks and outdoor adventures. 🕶️ Accessories: Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect your skin. 💊 Medicine: Common medicine and mosquito repellent. 💰 Finances: Credit card, some cash, and travel insurance. That's it! Get ready to enjoy your multi-country tour of South Africa! 🎉 -- South Africa tour, multi-country experience! One trip, many experiences. May every step be full of surprises and joy! 🎉

🌆Addis Ababa, the bustling capital of Ethiopia! 🏖️Attractions: 1. St. George's Cathedral: Magnificent and full of history, tickets are about 100 birr. 2. National Museum of Ethiopia: Home to many precious artifacts, tickets are about 300 birr. 3. Meskel Square: Bustling and full of local life, free entry. 🍖Local Cuisine: 1. Injera: A traditional flatbread served with various sauces, about 150 birr per serving. 2. Doro Wat: A rich and flavorful chicken stew, about 200 birr. 3. Buna (coffee): Rich and aromatic, about 30 birr per cup. 🎁Local Products: 1. Handwoven baskets and textiles. 2. Colorful traditional clothing. 🚶‍Travel Tips: Day 1: Visit the National Museum to learn about Ethiopian history and culture, enjoy injera for lunch, and head to Meskel Square in the afternoon. Day 2: Visit St. George's Cathedral and experience the solemnity of religion. 🎯Travel Experience: Addis Ababa is full of energy and unique charm. The locals are warm and friendly, the food is rich in local flavor, and the attractions offer a deep insight into Africa.