Day 1 Shanghai → Istanbul Reference Flight: TK027 2225 0520+1
All day
Today is the gathering day for the activity. Please arrive at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at the agreed time according to the instructions in the group departure notice and take a direct flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Since ancient times, Istanbul has been renowned for its strategic location, rich historical sites, and fascinating cultural fusion. Dotted with mosques, museums, churches, palaces, large buildings, and small streets, the city boasts both cultural and natural attractions, leaving one captivated and captivated.
Reference flights:
Turkish Airlines TK027 Shanghai Pudong PVG to Istanbul IST 2225-0520+1 Flight time is approximately 11 hours and 55 minutes. Turkish time is 5 hours later than Beijing time.
Day 2 Istanbul → Izmir Airport → Ephesus → Kusadasi Domestic flights to be confirmed
All day
After landing at Istanbul Airport in the morning, we directly transferred to a domestic flight to Izmir.
Upon arrival, we traveled to Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, to photograph its ancient architecture, amphitheater, and Roman roads. Once a major city in the Roman Empire, the remains of Ephesus include an amphitheater seating 25,000, a large marketplace, baths, temples, and other magnificent landmarks.
We'll then drive to Kusadasi, a pearl on Turkey's Aegean coast. Feeling like you're walking through the streets of Europe, this city is characterized by a relaxed and carefree atmosphere. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and rest.
Day 3 Kusadasi → Pamukkale
All day
After breakfast, you'll have free time at the beach to enjoy the stunning Aegean Sea morning. Then, you'll head to Pamukkale for some photography. Watch as springs flow down from the mountaintop, forming layers of white limestone terraces shaped by centuries of calcification. At dusk, the setting sun casts a shadow over the terraced calcified pools, creating a fairytale-like scene.
Note: Pamukkale's water filling schedule is unstable, so some areas may not be filled with water. Please refer to your actual trip for details. Thank you for your support and understanding!
If time allows, we'll explore the ruins of Hierapolis, built around 190 BC and reaching its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, becoming the center of Roman bathing. We'll explore the ruins, capturing the traces of time.
Then check in to Pamukkale Hotel and rest.
Day 4 Pamukkale → Antalya
All day
After breakfast, we'll head to the Aspendos Theater. Built during the Achaemenid Empire, the theater has survived over two thousand years of history, maintaining its clear acoustics. Its ruins seem to tell countless historical stories...
Then drive to the beautiful Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya.
Our first stop was Kaleici Old Town, where we took photos of the coastal culture. Kaleici Old Town is surrounded by lush greenery, its red roofs embodying the Ottoman style. Before the Ottoman Empire, the region was ruled by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Seljuks, giving Antalya its unique hybrid charm.
We can also stroll through the seaside park and take in the panoramic views of the Roman harbor from the observation deck. The shimmering waves and clouds of the bay are reflected against the majestic mountains, with the distant coastline clearly visible. At dusk, we can capture Antalya in its golden hour from a high vantage point.
After the shooting, we returned to the hotel to rest.
Day 5 Antalya → Konya
All day
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Konya, the birthplace of Turkish whirling dance and the ancient capital of the Seljuk period.
We will arrive at Konya Inn before sunset and enjoy the whirling dance of the Dervishes in this sacred city, experiencing an immersive cultural experience.
Afterwards, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 6 Konya → Cappadocia
All day
After breakfast, we'll drive to Cappadocia, the "City of Elves." National Geographic magazine once named it one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Places on Earth." Its unique karst landscape exudes a breathtaking beauty, captivating countless photographers. It's a breathtaking sight, even making you wonder if you've arrived on another planet. The American sci-fi blockbuster "Star Wars" was filmed here.
Upon arrival, we will first visit the [World Heritage · Goreme Open Air Museum], which condenses the natural and cultural history of the Cappadocia region and brings together more than 30 cave churches. It has been rated as a "World Cultural Heritage" and has high artistic appreciation value.
In the evening, go to capture the romantic and charming night view of Goreme town, and stay at Kapa's characteristic hotel at night.
Note 1: Since most hotels in Goreme, the heart of Cappadocia, do not accept group tours, groups can only stay in surrounding towns. Therefore, you won't be able to see the hot air balloons flying from the hotel, but we made a special trip to the hot air balloon viewing platform in the early morning to check in and take photos of the popular hot air balloons.
Note 2: Standards vary among specialty hotels and guesthouses, and there may be differences in bed sizes. These are generally cave or stone house hotels. In Cappadocia, there are generally two types of rooms: stone house rooms, constructed from stone into the original mountainside; and cave rooms, which are natural caves but offer poor lighting and can be damp. Because of the wide variety of room types, we will randomly assign rooms. We hope everyone will remain calm and enjoy their trip.
Day 7 Cappadocia
All day
In the morning, you can choose to take a hot air balloon ride at your own expense (estimated cost: US$300 per person, brand: Air Kapadokya, approximately 24-28 people per balloon, recommended to book one month in advance during peak season) (Note: You can also compare prices and choose other platforms to order)
This is one of the four major hot air balloon resorts in the world. When the hot air balloon rises to an altitude of 1,000 feet, you can overlook the entire Cappadocia scenery.
Note: Ordering self-funded projects includes tour guide service commission and project fees. Guests participate on a voluntary basis and can compare on multiple platforms such as Ctrip/Hot Air Balloon.
Tourists who do not take the hot air balloon ride can create their own cultural works in the alleys of the residential areas in Kappa Town.
Afterwards, we arranged a tour to photograph the Special Landform Area. Chimney-shaped rock formations of varying sizes rose abruptly, one after another, catching our eyes. This was a vast, unique collection of rocks, a source of immense pride for the Kapa people. The rocks were also dotted with densely packed pigeon holes, believed to be a natural, environmentally friendly area where ancient people collected pigeon droppings for fertilizer.
Next, we'll take photos of Uchisar Castle. The massive rock formation is a modernist work of art. The summit is reached by passing through the cave chambers within. While the climb is challenging, the scenery is breathtaking. Finally, we'll shoot the sunset, capturing the castle at golden hour.
Day 8 Cappadocia → Istanbul Domestic Flights to be confirmed
All day
Get up early in the morning and take the popular vintage car specially donated by China-TravelNote to [Love Valley] to shoot the sunrise (Note: the number of vintage cars will be determined by the number of people). We will also specially arrange the [Whirling Dance of the Dervishes]. If the weather is ideal, we can capture the thousands of colorful hot air balloons rising up together with the spinning steps.
Note: If you are unable to take a hot air balloon ride due to weather conditions the day before, you can also choose to take a hot air balloon ride at your own expense on this day.
After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we can take a short rest and then prepare to go to the airport to take a domestic flight back to Istanbul.
Upon arrival, have dinner and check into the hotel to rest.
Day 9 Istanbul
All day
After breakfast, proceed to the Blue Mosque for a photo tour. Built during the Ottoman Empire over a period of seven years, this magnificent mosque boasts a unique design and is the largest domed structure in Istanbul. Over thirty domes rise one after another, converging towards a central dome measuring 41 meters in diameter. The mosque is both majestic and elegant. Surrounding the mosque are six minarets, making it the only mosque in the world to boast six minarets.
Then we took pictures of Hagia Sophia, which is a most outstanding masterpiece of Byzantine architectural art, famous for its unique dome and majestic appearance.
At the right time, head to the Basilica Cistern, arguably one of Istanbul's most romantic and mysterious attractions. This massive palace is constructed from 336 massive stone columns, each intricately carved. Inside, you'll find two inverted Medusa heads.
Then head to Istanbul's largest and oldest spice market, the Egyptian Market, to explore the streets. Here you can buy a variety of traditional Turkish spices, foods, and souvenirs. It is also a rare location for cultural photography.
After the photoshoot, we had lunch at a restaurant in the center of Galata Bridge. Tourists can also visit and take photos on the north bank of Galata Bridge. The moving barges and the majestic mosque formed a strong contrast between movement and stillness, which was particularly moving under the light and shadow of the night.
Finally, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 10 Istanbul
All day
After breakfast, depart for a Bosphorus cruise, where you will get a first glimpse of Istanbul and photograph the charming cultural landscapes on both sides of the Sea of Marmara and the famous Eurasian Continental Bridge (both the old and new ones).
We then photographed Topkapi Palace, also known as the Old Palace. Built in the 13th century, it was the center of power in the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years. During its heyday, 25 sultans resided here. Also known as the "Forbidden City of Turkey," it houses numerous national treasures and precious Islamic artifacts, making it the largest museum in Türkiye.
Then go to [Independence Avenue] to take pictures of Istanbul's most representative street scenery. The most distinctive feature is the "ding ding tram" going back and forth. There are many buildings with historical and cultural significance on both sides of the street.
After gathering at the right time, we will climb the Galata Tower to take photos of the scenery on both sides of the Bosphorus Strait. As the sun sets and the lights come on, the most beautiful city scenery of Istanbul will be presented here.
Note: The space on top of the Galata Tower is limited and a tripod cannot be used. Please use a high sensitivity when shooting at night when the night view is blue. Thank you for your understanding!
After dinner, we will be taken to the airport to fly back to China.
Day 11 Istanbul → Shanghai Flight No.: TK026 0120 1645
All day
Reference flights:
Turkish Airlines TK026 Istanbul IST - Shanghai Pudong PVG 0120 1645 Flight time: approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes
As you board your flight to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and bid a tearful farewell, remember to leave a review on the China-TravelNote app to win a voucher. Share your travel memories with us on the China-TravelNote Community and China-TravelNote Photography Network!
