Where is the Great Wall?

The Great Wall of China In the north of China, the giant defense walls extending in the east-west direction begin on the shore of Po Hay Bay and extend westward past the vast geography. It spans 15 provinces of the country. It travels from the Shanghai Pass in Hebei province to the east to Jiayu Pass in Gansu province in the west.

How to get to the Great Wall of China? travel Guide

I have some bad news for you; Unfortunately, to go to the Great Wall of China, you have to go all the way to China. Before you answer the question of how to get to the Great Wall of China and give travel guide notes, you can find out the time of departure from the capital on the map below. Badaling, Juyong Pass, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanting, Simatai and Huangya Pass can be visited easily and daily. 630 kilometers of the city walls are located in Beijing .

Mutianyu Walls – How to get there

Mutianyu Walls can be preferred for an easy Chinese Great Wall tour from Beijing. From the Dongzhimen bus station in the city center, you can take the 916 Express (full CNY 12 CNY, Beijing Transportation Card and CNY 6, Chinese Yuan Yuan, Renminbi) or take the 916 bus at Huairou Beidajie stop on Huairou North Avenue, then h23, h24, h35 or h36 The bus arrives at the Mutianyu Roundabout junction and walk 450 meters to reach the ticket sales office. The full ticket costs 45 yuan, children over 60 and 25 yuan to children, free of charge to children taller than 120 inches, I was amazed at what a wonderful pricing.

Great Wall of China – transportation.

From Beijing Central Station ( Beijing Huochezhan) to the Mutianyu Walls, you can go to Dongzhimen Station by taking the subway number 2 and take the surface to exit 916 Express bus. 

How to get to the Great Wall of China? Travel Guide.

You can walk up to half an hour if you want to climb the walls, or if you want to save your energy for sightseeing or to reach a higher point, you can take the cable car to Tower 14. I suggest you use the cable car like me, because you will have already walked quite a bit up the hill and the view from the cable car cabin is beautiful.

The 5,400-meter Mutianyu Suru was first built by the Northern Qi dynasty (550-557). The patriots of the Ming Dynasty, renowned for their patriotism, Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang rebuilt the fortifications, strengthening their defense potential.

Where’s the Great Wall?

The city walls have been the northern protection shield for China for generations, defending the capital and the tombs of the emperors.

Mutianyu Walls, most of which are made of granite slabs, have a height of 7 to 8 meters and a width of 4 to 5 meters. Some of the trench walls are not rectangular but saw-tooth shaped. Under the trench walls, there are curved square gratings on the top, unlike traditional round gratings.

Unlike Badaling Walls, which are always overcrowded, Mutianyu is often secluded and more impressive. I would go to Beijing more than once and if you have enough time, I recommend both, and only Mutianyu. There are restaurants in Mutianyu but it is quite expensive by Chinese standards, I ate the egg soup which is the cheapest thing on the menu, here is the photo: Chinese cuisine

Transportation to Badaling Walls

To get to Badaling Walls, Deshengmen is a 5-10 minute walk from Exit B2 exit of Jishuitan metro station of metro line 2 and you can take the bus number 877 departing from 06:30 am to 12:30 pm. This direct bus, which costs 12 yuan and lasts for 1 hour, needs to walk a bit from the last stop or go with a pulley car.

Great Wall Badaling sightseeing map of China.

Another transportation option is the number 1 tourist bus that departs from the southwest of the Qianmen Arrow Tower on the south side of Tiananmen Square. There is a guide on the tour bus which costs 20 yuan; it leaves every half hour and takes 100 minutes.

There is also the bus number 919, but it takes a long time because it stops at many stops. If you want to go by train, you can take the S2 train (6 yuan, 1.5 hours) from Huangtudian station, get off at Badaling train station and walk for 15 minutes or take the free shuttle bus from the station to the cable car.

Badaling Great Wall is 7.6 kilometers long. Ticket costs 45 yuan, cable car 40 yuan. There are restaurants, fast food chain restaurants, hotels, the Great Wall Museum, a cinema with circular screens and shops.

The world’s largest structure of its visitors are very famous, such as US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Cameron, Argentine soccer player Diego Armando Maradona, the Los Angeles Lakers NBA superstar Bryant, Israeli Prime Minister Rabin, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Romania ‘s Prime Minister Dascalesc of South African President Mandela, the Cuban  State President Castro, King Carlos of Spain .

Why was the Great Wall of China Built?

The Great Wall of China was laid by more than 20 kingdoms during the Warring Principalities of China (770 BC – 221 BC). Chu, Qi, Yan, Wei, Han, Zhao, Qin built the first sets on their borders to protect the kingdoms from each other. Qin, Zhao, Yan kingdoms were built to stop the attacks of XiongNu, DongHu, LinHu, Hiung-nu and protect the northern borders of the country. China’s first Emperor Qin Shi Huang decided to protect the north of the country with an insurmountable defensive wall.

There are different views on why this gigantic construction was built and its purpose; defending the borders of the country against the attacks of Mongol and Turkish tribes against China from the north, especially Hiung-nu ; to punish the captive rulers of the principalities destroyed at the end of long wars in exile and heavy works; avoid escapes from the country; to show the public and the country that the country is united under one rule.

Why was the Great Wall of China built?

The Great Wall of China History and Story

The Great Wall of China was built in various periods by the ancient Qi (770-221 BC), Qin (221-207 BC), Han (206 BC-220 AD), Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, and most of the walls remaining to the present day are Ming. It was built during the dynasty. Qin Shi Huang extended the walls built by the previous kingdoms in 221 BCE, and the Great Wall of China became the Great Wall of China in English during the Qin Dynasty.

The Great Wall of China

From the 3rd century BC to the 17th century, the Chinese continued to extend the Great Wall. The last dynasty, which repaired the Great Wall and used it for defense, was the Ming Dynasty that reigned between 1368-1644. The parts of the walls built by the Ming Dynasty on the map are red, the walls previously made in blue.

Information about the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

Seddin thickness and height vary from place to place. The Great Wall of China is not entirely made up of bricks and rocks, some parts are very weak, the mortar can be found in the environment around the soil, stone, wood, brick pieces, clay or lime was made by joining materials, the state is not strong enough to protect the attack, but the enemy will slow down .  Usually the height of the wall is 4-6 meters, the base thickness is 7 meters and the top thickness is around 6 meters. Horses and carts can ride on large areas. There are visor and archer holes along the thick walls. A watchtower or castle at 200 meters; There is a lighthouse at 9 kilometers. Palaces and temples were also built on the walls. In some places, sets are made in several rows to allow gradual defense.

The Great Wall of China is 21,196 kilometers in length.

The historic building was named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, and one of the Seven New Wonders of the World on July 7, 2007. Their name in Chinese means Wanli Changcheng “10,000 Mile Wall” and Changcheng “Long Wall”. Informal names in literature and legends are Zi Sai (Purple Frontier) and Tu Long (Earth Dragon). Its length is 21,196 kilometers according to official and current information.

The Great Wall of China?

Who would think to build the world’s largest structure in such a place?

Information about the Great Wall of China

Many books have been written, researched and filmed about the world’s largest structure . The most popular film today is the 2016 production of 104-minute historical fantasy and adventure genre from the US and China-produced The Great Wall, directed by Yimou Zhang, starring Matt Damon, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Pedro Pascal and Eddie Peng. With a budget of $ 150 million, it is the most expensive film ever made in China.

Interesting Brief Information about the Great Wall of China

Here is interesting information and little-known facts about the Great Wall of China.

1. It is hard to see the naked eye even if the Great Wall of China is rumored to be seen from space and is only 1.5 km from above. Some astronauts claimed to have seen it, but later turned out to be a river.

2. It took more than 2,000 years to complete.

3. Although it was a 2,300-year-old structure, the rest of the world was unaware of it. Europeans learned through the Portuguese explorer Bento de Gois in 1605 that such a structure.

4. Although a certain number is not known, some studies show that 8.000 people worked in the construction. They consisted of soldiers, forcibly gathered villagers, criminal prisoners and prisoners of war.

5. According to legend, the construction route of the wall was created by following the traces left by a dragon following the works. According to some, the wall itself is in the form of a dragon lying curled over the mountains.

6. In 1987, British marathon William Lindesay alone ran 2400 km on the wall.

7. The highest point of the Great Wall of China is on Mount Heita near Beijing and is 1,525 meters above sea level.

8. The longest cemetery in the world. Thousands of workers were buried in the construction. Some are thought to have been buried inside the wall itself. Legend has it that human bones were used in the mortar of the wall.

9. According to legend, Meng Jiangnv cried so much after her husband died in the construction of the wall, that part of the wall collapsed and his wife’s bones were revealed and buried.

Great Wall

10. During the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976, some of the bricks of the wall were used in the construction of houses, farms and warehouses.

11. More than three hundred heads of state and top executives visited Badaling, the most famous part.

12. The walls of the Ming Dynasty pass through the provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Inner Mongolia , Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia and Gansu and are 8,850 kilometers long.

13. One third of the city walls disappeared without any trace.

14. According to measurements, calculations and estimates, 3,873,000,000 bricks have been used and weigh a total of 58 million tons.

15. Tens of millions of visitors are walking on it annually.

Quotations

Biri A man who doesn’t go to the Great Wall is not a hero. ” Mao Zedong

Sed The Great Wall of China is never destroyed, the Yellow River flows forever. ”Anonymous proverb.

“The height of the wall depends on the depth of the foundation.” Anonymous.

Kim Who knows what the winds and rains passed through the bricks of the walls? ”Anonymous.

One of me:

Mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, surpassed you, great wall, would this be the end? This is the tip of the Great Wall in Xinjiang Province.

The Fırtına Valley, which leans its back on the Kaçkar Mountains, has come to the fore with mountain and plateau tourism in recent years. With its foggy plateaus, small glacial lakes scattered over the mountains like jewels, historical mansions, stone arch bridges and lush nature, a different summer holiday awaits those who dream …

Fırtına Valley reflects the thousand and one colors of nature. In the Kaçkar Mountains, which was declared a national park in 1994, most of the national park area remains within the borders of Çamlıhemşin. It is also one of the 100 priority regions in the world for protection. Many rare plant and butterfly species in this special geography are endemic to the Kaçkars alone. These valleys and mountains host a total of 537 woody plants, 136 birds, 30 mammals, 21 reptiles and 116 endemic plant species. The region between the Fırtına Creek in the west of the Kaçkar Mountains and the Hemşin Creek to the east also has an extremely rich flora. The fauna of the region is equally rich. The valley is the home of many animals such as brown bear, wild boar, hook-horned mountain goat, wild goat, wolf, fox, jackal, wild cat, lynx, roe deer and badger.

2 HOURS FROM TRABZON …

You reach Fırtına Valley, which is within the borders of Çamlıhemşin, by a two-hour road trip from Trabzon. Upwards from the district center, the magnificent plateaus of the region begin to line up one by one. Hiking and camping lovers await beautiful routes here. In particular, Palovit, which is considered the heart of the Fırtına Valley, fascinates people with its natural old forests and plateaus that continue to keep the traditional architecture alive with its century-old wooden mansions. Those who want to explore the Firtina Valley on foot, not by vehicle, must take the road with a guide and be well-informed against adverse weather conditions. While visiting the valley and mountains, you should definitely take a camera or a camera with you. You will want to photograph the fascinating beauty of this geography and record the countless surprising surprises that the flora and fauna bring to you. Ayder was the first plateau to make the valley known in tourism. Ayder, which has become a tourism center with its healing hot springs, has unfortunately lost its originality to some extent with its increasing number of accommodation facilities in recent years. Kavrun Plateau, which comes after Ayder, also takes its share from this rapid construction. When you turn left before reaching the valley where Kavrun is located, the road opens to another valley where there are plateaus such as Çeymakçur, Paakçur, Huser and Avusor. This is a route preferred by those who want to see the general view of the Kaçkars. One of the routes that managed to preserve the natural beauty of the Firtina Valley the most is the beautiful Palovit Valley, which covers the Sal-Pokut-Hazindağ-Samistal plateaus. These plateaus stand out the most with the magnificence of their historical mansions. From the beginning of the 19th century, the Hamshens, who went abroad to Russia and Europe and gained experience in bakery products, built these large mansion-type houses in their hometowns with the money they earned. While Sal and Pokut were once the densest inhabited highlands in the region, they have become desolate in recent years. Today, especially local tourists show great interest in these two plateaus. Not only in the plateaus of Palovit, but in the plateaus in many regions of Firtina, the houses are now used mostly as summer houses. In the summer months, Hamshens from all over the country open their houses and spend their holidays here for a few months. Friends, relatives, neighbors and travelers meet; While the horons are kicked out in overalls, the children make new friendships; old people meet the energy of youth and become happy.

ICE LAKES

Glacial lakes are another beauty that enlivens nature at the height of the forest cover that adorns the Fırtına Valley. There are many glacial lakes in the region. The shores of the lakes with turquoise blue waters are the most preferred accommodation places for hikers. It takes 3-4 hours to reach the lakes on foot. First of all, Kavrun plateau, which is the exit point from Kaçkar from the north, and from here to the glacial lake called “Gelgelan” above Kavrun, can also be reached by Olgunlar. Çeymakçur and Avusor plateaus can be seen after a 45-minute walk following a 1-hour drive from Ayder. You can go to the lakes on the Verçenik side with 1-2 hour walks from this plateau.

THE BEAUTY OF STONE BRIDGES

It is impossible not to talk about the beauties of Fırtına and to mention the stone bridges. Hala, Mikrun and Çuklanut bridges on Hala Creek on the Ayder side; Most of the small stone bridges in Tilmisivat, Orenkit, Ham Bridge, Makrevis, Ortan, Kale, Çinçiva, Çilanç (Çat) bridges and Apevanak and Kale plateaus along the Fırtına Stream were built using chipped stone technique without using any mortar. Some bridges that have been restored by the highways have lost these features of course; but there are still those that keep their originality.

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

There are many accommodation places in Fırtına Valley and Ayder in Çamlıhemşin. Boarding house management is also developing in the plateaus. You can stop by Ekodanitap Naturel Life before you reach Çamlıhemşin district center. In the place where you stay in the bungalows, you have the opportunity to have a meal accompanied by a large garden and stream view. In the district center, you can stay in the mini hotel named Moyy. Moyy is an extremely modest hotel that takes its name from the mountain strawberry and is in Çamlıhemşin standards and also serves with its café at the bottom. Hotels such as Doğa Hotel at the foot of Ortan village in Fırtına Valley, Fırtına Pension in Çinçiva village, Mola in Pokut Plateau, Koçira in Kito plateau, Cancık in Çat village, Ufuk Pension in Amlakit plateau, Kalegon, Bukla Oberj, Kardelen, Liligum in Ayder and You can stay in hostels …

It is possible to taste all the flavors of the local cuisine in the place called Çaynig, 1 kilometer above Çamlıhemşin district center. Çaynig’s chef and partner, Deniz Hanım, is a school pastry chef and successfully continues his traditional profession of bakery and pastry in the Hamshens, as a new generation master in his hometown. In Çaynig, you can find tastes such as sweet, savory cookies, muffins, pizza and cheesecake as well as local flavors such as muhlama, wrapped cabbage, pilina, which is a kind of pancakes, and kete. You can reach Çamlıhemşin or Kaçkarlar through tour companies. It is possible to reach the most beautiful plateaus with companies such as Tamzara Tur, Bukla, Folklarik, 

First of all vacation plans …

Antalya carries the traces of big cities rather than being a summer resort. However, Kaleiçi, known as the old Antalya, looks like a completely different city in Antalya with its unique character.

Kaleiçi, one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean for hundreds of years, stands in the calm of a coastal town. Of the four main gates that provide entrance and exit to Kaleiçi, only Hadrian’s Gate has survived to the present day. There are many historical boutique hotels and gourmet restaurants in Kaleiçi.

In the past, parts of the double row walls surrounding Kaleiçi are still intact. Two mosques from the Seljuk period in Kaleiçi are worth seeing. M.S. The remaining part of the mosque, which was built by Beyazıd’s son Sultan Korkut, on a church dating back to the 5th century, burned down as a result of a fire in the 19th century. Although there is not much left from the mosque, its minaret, known as Kesik Minaret, is still standing.

The Fluted Minaret in Kale Kapısı Square has almost become the symbol of Antalya. The minaret is in a large complex. The complex, built by the Seljuks, consists of the Fluted Minaret, the Yivli Mosque, the Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev Madrasa, the Seljuk Madrasa, the Mevlevihane, Zincirkıran and Nigar Hatun Tombs. The 38-meter-high Fluted Minaret, whose body is made of bricks and turquoise tiles, was built in the 13th century. The minaret, which takes its name from the 8 grooves lined around it, is known as the oldest Islamic work in the city. The 6-domed Yivli Mosque, located to the west of the minaret, was built in 1372 by an architect named Balaban Tavsi.

Antalya Houses

The beautiful Antalya houses, lined up in the narrow streets of Kaleiçi, have regained their old magnificent appearance thanks to the restoration works. While the facades of the houses, which are generally built with masonry stones and wooden connections, face the street, the parts that do not see the street are left as gardens. Today, these gardens host the pools and restaurants of boutique hotels. The “Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum” consists of the Traditional Antalya House and the exhibition hall in Aya Yorgi Church. Although they seem different from each other, these sections, which have many common points and ties, serve in three historical Kaleiçi houses and a church that is at least 200 years old next to these houses. Ancient cities, waterfalls, Perge and Aspendos Ancient Cities, Düden and Kurşunlu Waterfalls are other attraction points of the region. Perge Ancient City, 18 kilometers from Antalya, was one of the important cities on the trade route between Cilicia and Pisidia in the past. Today, Aspendos is among the ancient cities that attract the most tourists. The history of the city of Aspendos goes back 3000 years from today. The theater M.S., which is still used for concerts and shows today. It was built by the Romans in the 2nd century. Antalya is a rich place not only with its historical ruins but also with its natural formations. Düden Waterfall is 10 kilometers from the center. As interesting as Düden Waterfall is that its waters flow through Antalya and pour into the Mediterranean from the cliffs. Kurşunlu Waterfall is literally a corner of heaven. The waterfall, pouring from a height of 18 meters, has created 7 ponds. The waterfall has entered the tourist routes and is flooded with visitors throughout the day.

For holiday village lovers; КЕМER

The holiday concept in Kemer is mostly based on “holiday village” customers. For this reason, Kemer attracts attention with its lively nightlife and touristic shops.

Kemer, which can be literally called the republic of holiday villages, is very suitable for those who do not want to deal with the questions of where I eat or how I spend my day. All kinds of holiday villages, which can meet all the needs of families with children and have everything you want, have come together in Kemer. All you have to do is choose the one that best suits your budget and expectations and enjoy your holiday. The dolphins’ show can be watched in the Dolphinarium, which attracts especially the attention of children in Kemer. If you want to eat and understand the lifestyle of Yörük culture, which is dominant in the region, you should visit Yörük Park in Küçük Burun. Although Kemer’s Blue Flag beaches seem like the property of the resorts and hotels lined along the coast, anyone who wishes can benefit from these areas provided that they do not use umbrellas and sun loungers. Moonlight Beach, on the right side of the peninsula, is completely open to the public.

Thanks to its sheltered structure against winds and the businesses listed right behind the beach, it is in great demand especially on weekends. The beach that stretches to the other side of the peninsula is mostly used by the customers of the hotels. Phaselis Ancient City, located near Kemer, is one of the must-see places in the region. B.C. The city, thought to have been founded around 690, is between the pine trees and the seaside. Waves hit what’s left of the city. The cable car ride was made to Tahtalı Mountain in the past years and gave an extraordinary experience to those who came to the region. With the longest cable car line in Europe, you can reach the peak of Tahtalı Mountain at an altitude of 2365 meters. The journey to the summit takes 10 minutes with the cable cars that move every half hour throughout the day.

Three beauties of the Mediterranean; OLIMPOS, ADRASAN, ÇIRALI

Olympos is the choice of young people looking for a social environment combined with naturalness. Here, they can have long vacations in the treehouses and bungalows very cheaply. Çıralı, on the other hand, hosts mostly middle-age families with a good income. The calmness of Adrasan attracts middle and older age group rather than young people.

There are many tracks for hiking enthusiasts in the region. The most delightful Lycian Way tracks marked with red and white dots are in this region. The most interesting place in Çıralı is the area known as Yanartaş. Around the flames of Yanartaş, which guided sailors in the past, holidaymakers begin to gather with wine bottles in the evening.

Although little remains of the ancient city of Olympos, which is just behind the beach, it still continues to fascinate people with its geographical location. The ruins of the city, which was founded on both shores of Akdere, flowing between Musa Mountain and Omurga Mountain, are surrounded by the fertile nature of the region. B.C. The city, thought to have been founded around the 3rd century, is now a protected area. The region is also within the borders of the national park. For this reason, Olimpos and Çıralı were able to resist significant construction. Shaded by pine nut trees, the beach is also one of the few beaches in our country where the caretta carettas lay their eggs in July. The beach of Olympos, embracing the turquoise sea of ​​the Mediterranean, was selected as the best beach in the world according to a survey conducted in England in recent years. Adrasan, which is less known, can maintain its silence and calmness even during the busiest months of the year. Adrasan’s shallow sea is ideal for those who do not know how to swim and for children. It is not affected by the winds thanks to its 2-kilometer protected beach. The mountain rising on its left side is visually pleasing to people. The right side of the beach is covered with pine trees. You have the chance to reach the small coves at the bottom of the pine trees thanks to the dirt road that runs towards this side.

The city of Santa Claus; DEMRE

Çay Ağzı’s long deserted beach and Santa Claus tourism make Demre interesting for both nature and history enthusiasts.

St. Nicholas, who once lived in Demre, is known in the Christian world as Santa Claus. Although it is not known exactly how Saint Nicholas turned into Santa Claus, it is accepted that he was born in Patara and buried in Demre. Famous as the patron saint of children and sailors, the tomb of St. Nicholas was in the church here. For this reason, the church attracts many visitors. Of course, this interest naturally gave birth to a Santa Claus industry in Demre. From rugs to gourds in the shops around the church, Santa Claus is painted everywhere.

“Location of mother goddess…”

Demre is also home to Myra, one of the 6 most important cities of Lycia. Myra means “the place of the mother goddess”. Kent BC. It dates to the 5th century. Myra, which was the capital of Lycia during the Roman period, M.S. It was abandoned around the 11th century. The quite solid theater and rock tombs that look like apartments make the city worth seeing. The Lycian League’s biggest theater, which is also the best preserved, looks quite magnificent with its 29 rows of seats and a capacity of 9-10 thousand people. Known as the port of the ancient city of Myra, Andriake is located next to the coastline called Çay Mouth. Although there is not much left from the ancient harbor, Çay Ağzı beach between two streams is worth seeing. Çay Ağzı draws attention with its long and deserted beach. Beymelek Village, near Demre, is famous for both its lagoon and lobsters. Here, the sea built a lagoon, forming a small lake. Several makeshift restaurants along the coast offer interesting surprises for a meal break. In these restaurants you have the chance to eat very cheap lobsters grown in the lagoon.

The mystery of the sunken city; KEKOVA

The sea is magnificent in every corner of the region, which is generally called Kekova. In addition, the most beautiful parts of the walking route called the Lycian Way are around Simena.

The region consists of Kekova Island, Üçağız and Simena. The sea is magnificent in every corner of the region, which is generally called Kekova. Few parts of the generally rocky coasts allow swimming in the sea. You can also enjoy the pleasure of enjoying the sea offshore by boat here. There is no road access to Tersane Bay. The wooden fishing piers of Üçağız and Simena are also very suitable for enjoying the sea. Tersane Bay is the most enjoyable place in the region for those who like to swim from the shore. This small bay, called Xera in ancient times, was used as a maintenance and repair place for boats in Byzantine and later periods. It is possible to reach the bay, which does not have a highway, only by boat or canoe. Simena Ancient City, one of the most special places in the Mediterranean, is intertwined with Kale Köy built on a hillside. M.S. While an earthquake in the region in the 2nd century was a disaster for the people of that period, it also caused the emergence of today’s magnificent view. Kekova, which was a single piece with Simena in the past, is now an island. As you sail from the shores of the island, you can see the houses where people once lived and the stairs of the city in all details under the water. This sunken city adds mystery to the region.

The Lycian sarcophagi lined up on the hills are extremely intact. Apart from the ones on the hill, the most interesting example of the sarcophagus is the sarcophagus half buried in the water. Medieval Castle, mini theater carved into the rock, Roman bath and Byzantine Church are other ruins that can be seen in Simena. There is no road to Kale Village where Simena is located. It is possible to reach the ruins by a half-hour trail or boat from Üçağız. In addition, the most beautiful parts of the walking route called “Lycian Way” are located around Simena. In general, the entire region is home to Turkey’s best-preserved settlements. Its castle placed on the hill like a crown, stone houses flowing into the sea, pathways and people who continue their daily lives take you to another time in Simena. The few small pensions here are literally like retreats. You are left in the middle of deep silence and stars in Simena nights.

Opposite the rock; KAŞ

Kaş, an important city of the Lycian Union, surrounded by steep mountains and sea, is now home to those who escape from big cities.

Kaş, whose name was Antiphellos in the past, has a meaning that suits its appearance. This name, which means “Opposite of the Rock”, fits very well with the rocky geography at the foot of the mountain where Kaş is established. With its distance from the big cities and the serpentine roads running parallel to the sea, Kaş has always remained away from the invasion of crazy crowds. However, there are those who are passionately attached to it. They travel 1000 kilometers from Istanbul to Kaş, even just to stay for the weekend. The colossal sarcophagus that suddenly appears at the end of the Long Bazaar, where the heart of Kaş beats, remained from the Lycians who believed in the immortality of the soul, and today it has become the symbol of Kaş. The sarcophagus on the shore and the rock tombs carved into the mountain behind Kaş are other Lycian artifacts that should be seen in Kaş. The ancient theater is the most robust and important structure left from Lycia in Kaş. The theater, which is located just to the right of the road to the Çukurbağ Peninsula, has 26 steps and is quite intact. The most beautiful part of it is the view of the Mediterranean’s dark blue waters and Meis Island, which stand before you like a painting when you sit on these steps. Since the shores of Kaş are rocky, beach lovers can only find what they are looking for in Küçük and Büyük Çakıl Beaches. However, they can find much more of what they are looking for in Kaputaş Beach. Kaputaş Beach, which adorns tourism posters with its turquoise sea, appears before you like an oasis on the quite winding Kaş-Kalkan road. There are no facilities on the beach; Therefore, it is beneficial to be supplied with food and drink. And don’t forget your umbrella. Especially during the day, the sun is extremely scorching and there is nothing that can be protected from the sun. Although the steps descending to Kaputaş are sufficient for those who want to do sports on holiday, the mini canyon lying at the back of the beach is recommended for those who want to walk more. Kaş, which is the favorite of diving enthusiasts, will make the holidaymakers happy not only with its clean sea and strong environmental options, but also with its various activities. Thanks to the diving centers operating here long before the paragliding activities that started in recent years, Kaş has taken its place among the important diving points of our country and the world. With nearly 70 diving points in its vicinity, it will satisfy the underwater lovers. It is possible to find tastes from world cuisine as well as Aegean and Mediterranean dishes in the restaurants that are concentrated around the Uzun Çarşı, which forms the core of Kaş.

Geography flowing to the sea; KALKAN

Kalkan is located in an extremely rich region due to its location. In addition to the natural beauties offered by the sea and the mountains, the magnificent cities of the ancient world, which are man-made, are also very close to Kalkan.

Thanks to its settlement flowing towards the sea, every point of Kalkan offers a visual feast. The small beach does not require you to look for other places to swim. It is a great advantage to be able to swim all day long on the beach within walking distance from your accommodation and benefit from the restaurants next to it. The shops in its cute bazaar will satisfy the shopping lovers. Reflecting the spirit of Kalkan, these streets flow almost and meet the dark blue of the Mediterranean on the shore.

“Patara is waiting for you…”

If you want to enjoy the sea on a private beach, Patara, which is only 17 kilometers from Kalkan, awaits you. You have the chance to swim anywhere on the golden yellow Patara beach, which stretches uninterrupted for about 18 kilometers, as you wish. In addition, the ancient city ruins in Patara must be visited. The theater of Patara, which is considered to be the birthplace of the god Apollo, is in very good condition, there are many historical ruins standing apart from this. Two important cities of the Lycian Union, Letoon and Xanthos, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, are only 25 kilometers away from Kalkan. Due to the foreigners who have settled in the region and the yachts approaching the harbor in recent years, Kalkan has become a gourmet center especially for places to eat. It is said that there are around 150 restaurants and cafes of all sizes in Kalkan. It is possible to find dishes from Turkish and international cuisine in these restaurants. There are such restaurants that there are people who come to these places for dinner, especially from Fethiye and Kaş. For this reason, it is difficult to find a place without reservation, especially for dinner. Kalkan, which is built on a sloping land, naturally consists of small shops on the slopes. Generally, historical Kalkan houses have been turned into shops. Chic boutique hotels attract attention as much as restaurants. Especially, these hotels located on the slopes with Kalkan view look at the endless blue.

History and nature are intertwined; SIDE

Side, whose history goes back thousands of years, was able to preserve its feature of being a small fishing village where Turks from Crete lived until the 70’s.

The magnificent ancient city ruins and its sandy beaches, which are surrounded by dark blue waters, enable Side to maintain its charm. Side ancient theater is the most intact structure among the past. M.S. The theater, dated to the 2nd century, is a typical Roman theater with its carrier systems supported by arches. The audience capacity of approximately 16 thousand is important in terms of reflecting the city’s past glory. M.S. The Byzantine bath built in the 5th century is today the Archeology Museum. The ancient city of Side, built on a peninsula, was surrounded by walls on all four sides. Some parts of the walls are still standing. The road that continues in front of the theater leads to the main entrance of the city. The most special temples of the Pamphylia region were found within the borders of Side. The best examples of these were made in the name of Athena and Apollo. Although there is not much left of both temples built at the far end of the peninsula, you can use your imagination to imagine the magnificent geography where the temples were established 2000 years ago.

While every part of Side allows swimming, the two beaches called Big and Small Beach attract more visitors. Küçük Beach is a place preferred by Side regulars. The restaurants and cafes right next to the beach serve those who come to Küçük Beach. Big Beach, on the other hand, attracts the attention of daily visitors and tourists. You can not only swim in this beach, you can find many entertainment and water activities related to the sea. The Big Beach, which stretches for about 10 kilometers, is also home to large hotels and holiday villages.

The waterfall on the Manavgat Stream is worth seeing, although it is not very large. In addition, the Titreyen Lake, which has small waves throughout the day with the waters brought by the Manavgat Stream and takes its name from these vibrating waves, and the Sorgun-Side area, where the sea meets with large forested areas, must be on your list of things to see.

A resort town from the Seljuk to today; Alanya

Alanya, where you can find many things to have a good time all day, takes on another identity as the weather gets dark. Restaurants and entertainment venues with Mediterranean views offer different options to their guests.

Alanya, which was important enough to be the winter capital of the Seljuk Empire in the past, maintains this importance especially in the field of tourism today. Although it does not seem to be on the agenda as much as its peers in the tourism sector, it has already left many behind, especially in terms of infrastructure. Blue flagged, clean sea and well organized long beaches give people the opportunity to swim all over Alanya. Especially Damlataş Beach is the most famous beach of Alanya with its golden beach and sparkling sea. Cleopatra Beach, another famous beach, is also famous for its legends. According to legend the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra,
During a voyage to the Mediterranean, he stopped by Alanya and entered the sea on this magnificent beach. Based on this legend, the 2-kilometer beach was named after Cleopatra. Entrance to the well organized beach is free. The beach, which has dining and drinking venues every 50 meters, has been designed with visitors in mind. The well-organized beach is very crowded in the summer months, but thanks to the well-used beach, these crowds are not disturbing. Incekum and Ulaş beaches are other important beaches in Alanya. Slowness prevails on these beaches every hour of the day. Thanks to the calmness of the sea during the day and the warm Mediterranean wind in the evening, the slowness can be felt everywhere in the city. Sunset view from the castle Alanya Castle and Red Tower are the must-see places of the city. If you go to the castle especially in the evening, you can watch a magnificent sunset view.

The castle, which has existed since the years when the name of Alanya was Korakesion, was given its final shape by the Seljuks. Red Tower is the symbolic structure of Alanya. The height of this monumental tower built by the Seljuks is 33 meters. Built in 1226, the tower was built to keep the harbor under control. The streets and streets of Alanya are extremely well designed. There are bicycle paths on wide and low pavements where people can walk comfortably.

The excellent craftsmanship of the bronze statue of Heracles, a must-see in Alanya’s modest museum, is not at all unassuming, unlike the museum. In addition, various finds belonging to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods in Alanya and its surroundings are exhibited in the museum. Apart from swimming during the day and visiting historical places, there are many options in and around Alanya. Damlataş and Dim caves, which offer cool environments even at the highest temperatures, are some of these options. Damlataş Cave, discovered by accident in 1948, is recommended by doctors to asthma patients. Dim cave, which is 12 kilometers from Alanya, is very exciting with its 350 meters length and the variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Dim Stream, another refreshing spot in the region, is famous for its trout restaurants. It would be to your advantage to coincide with your visit at noon. The floor tables on the wooden piers built on the water are waiting for you. Here you can taste delicious trout and swim in the ice-cold waters of Dim Stream to cool off. Alara Han and Alara Castle are the must-see places in the region. The inn and castle built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I in 1232 are right next to the Alara Stream. Built to ensure the safety of caravans coming to Alara Han, the castle was built on a steep hill. It is very difficult to get to the castle, which looks extremely magnificent and impressive. The restaurants along the Alara Stream allow you to have a pleasant meal and spend time in nature. Alanya, where you can find many things to have a good time all day, takes on another identity as the weather gets dark. Restaurants with a view of the Mediterranean offer many dishes from international cuisine, as well as local dishes. After dinner, life continues in entertainment venues, especially around the marina.