Beni Hasan and Tell Al-Amarna provide an off-the-beaten-path experience with its troves of Egyptians tombs, relics and artifacts. Hemmed on one of the remotest area of Upper Egypt east of the Nile River in the modern province of Minya, these two towns capture the Egypt in a nutshell.
Beni Hasan is primarily known for the tombs of some of Egypt's legendary rulers such as Kheti, Amenehmet II, Khnumhotep II and Baget while Tell Al-Amarna boasts of the enviable archeological remains of Pharaoh Akhenaten, thus its name as "Horizon of Aten."
The Royal Road, now referred to as Sikhet es Sultan, is where the North City is located—the address of royalty, the center of administration and a religious spot. Clustered medieval house are tucked side by side, now decrepit due to constant excavation, erosion and weathering.
The Center City, on the other hand, is lined with ceremonial and administrative structures and contains the Great Temple of Aten and the Small Aten Temple, used for religious purposes. The Great Royal Temple and some of the Royal Residences of the pharaohs and kings are also located here. Beside the Royal Residence is the Bureau of Correspondence of Pharaoh where the Amarna Letters unearthed by archeologists are displayed.
Getting to the South City, fondly called the "Southern Suburb," is a chance to see the domains of the city's nobility such as Nahkt (the chief minister), General Renefer, the High Priest of Aten Panehesy and Ramose (the Master of Horses). The Sun Temple of Kom el -Nana and Maru Aten can also be seen from this corner of Egypt.
On the city's outskirts lies the Akhenaten's Royal Necropolis, concealed behind the cliffs along with a tomb of an anonymous royal wife. A further walk uncovers the workmen villages, similar to the villages at Deir el-Medina and Lahun.