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 Introduction
Working or Studying at Bahir Dar University is the ideal opportunity to sample the sights and sites of Bahir Dar town and its surroundings, one of the foremost tourist destinations in Ethiopia. Below is brief selection of the beautiful and interesting sites within easy reach of the town
Lake Tana
Bahir Dar is situated at the southern end of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake. The Lake stretches from Bahir Dar at its southern end to the town of Gorgora at the north, a distance of approximately 100km. Bahir Dar town has many fine views of the Lake, with a number of the hotels situated on the Lake Shore, with pleasant lake-side gardens. Boat trips on the Lake can be arranged with various local tour operators; local trips include the 'source' of the Blue Nile River, which flows out of Bahir Dar just to the east of Bahir Dar, or to the monastries of the Zeghie pensinsular. Overall Lake Tana shelters around twenty monastries - surviving remnants of an old and contemplative tradition.
Island Monastries
The port from Bahir Dar provides access by boat to a number of historic lakeside churches and monastries, near and far. Most date from the seventeenth century and have beautifully painted walls. Many such places of worship now have fascinating museums with priceless illustrated manuscripts, historic crowns and fine royal and ecclesiastical robes. Some monastic islands are forbidden to women but others can be visited by both sexes.
Tissisat Falls
The power of the Blue Nile may best be appreciated at the Tissisat waterfalls, the most dramatic spectacle on either the White or Blue Niles, a vision of natural strength and grandeur. Tissisat Falls is approximately 40km south-east of Bahir Dar, and can be easily reached in an hour's drive (bus or private car).
Around Bahir Dar
The starting point of any visit to the Blue Nile Falls, or to the islands of Lake Tana, is the town of Bahir Dar on the lake's south-eastern shore, thus the name Bahir Dar which in Amharic means "sea shore". There are different hotels built along the lake with breathtaking views which refresh the mind and soul. The colorful markets and a variety of handicrafts and weaving centers make Bahir Dar a comfortable base for excursions. Bahir Dar is located 578 kilometers from Addis Ababa.
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