Carved from a single outcrop of limestone, the Sphinx has the body of a lion and, traditionally, the face of pharaoh Khafre — though arguments still rage over whether the head was re-carved from an older, larger original. At 73 metres long and 20 metres high, it is the largest monolithic statue in the world. The missing nose and missing royal beard (fragments of which are in the British Museum) give it its distinctive battered look.
The best view is from the causeway in front of Khafre's pyramid, where the Sphinx appears in profile against the pyramid behind it. For the iconic frontal view, walk down to the Sphinx enclosure where you can approach fairly close. The Sound and Light Show in the evenings uses the Sphinx as its backdrop — the shows are theatrical and touristy, but sitting in the open-air arena facing the illuminated monuments at night has its own appeal. The Dream Stele stands between its paws.