Day 1 Urumqi → Tbilisi
All day
The tourists gathered at Urumqi Airport today and boarded a China Southern Airlines flight to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Visa Information:
Georgia: Mainland China passports are visa-free;
Russia: For individual visa, you only need to provide the electronic version of the passport page + the electronic version of a two-inch photo with a white background + the personal visa materials form, which is very convenient.
Day 2 Tbilisi → Ananuri → Kazbekistan
·morning
After breakfast, we will go to the holy city of Kazbek.
Hidden Easter Eggs: We will pass by many former Soviet buildings during this trip, and we hope that tourists will have cameras to capture these former Soviet history.
The first Soviet relic of this trip. Check out the Georgian Chronicle Monument. Perched at the top of a long flight of stairs, the monument features 16 columns ranging in height from 30 to 35 meters. The upper half depicts kings, queens, and heroes, while the lower half depicts stories from the life of Christ. This is a photogenic spot, and the monument is so impressive that many local couples come here for wedding photos!
Along the way, take photos of Ananuri Castle, the riverside castle featured on the cover of "Lonely Planet: Transcaucasian Kingdoms." Today, Ananuri Castle has become one of Georgia's most famous landmarks, attracting countless visitors to this magical and beautiful land. The castle sits on a hillside, with the emerald waters of Lake Aragvi nearby, echoing the castle's green dome. Beyond, the majestic Transcaucasian Mountains frame the surrounding landscape, a scene of classicism and beauty perfectly captured here.
·afternoon
After enjoying a local lunch, we will pass through the famous ski resort of Gudauri, and admire the majestic, snow-capped Mount Mokovoli along the way.
The second Soviet relic of this trip. On the way to Kazbek, we stopped at the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument for some artwork. The monument was built in 1983 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of friendship between Georgia and the Soviet Union. A corresponding monument stands in a square in Moscow.
After arriving in Kazbek, we'll board a 6-7-seater minivan and head to the Holy Trinity Church on the mountain, where photographers can freely explore. The church offers panoramic views of Kazbek, with the entire village at your feet, allowing you to experience the magnificent Caucasian scenery. Long ago, Georgian legend tells of a god similar to Prometheus who stole divine fire from heaven and brought it to Earth. As punishment, the gods imprisoned him in a cave on the top of Mount Kazbek.
·night
After enjoying Georgian cuisine, return to the hotel to rest.
Day 3 Kazbek → Vladikavkaz (Russia)
·morning
Tourists can get up early and take photos of the sunrise over Kazbekistan from the hotel balcony or courtyard. If the weather is good, you can basically take photos of the golden mountain in the sunlight.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the mysterious and lesser-known North Ossetia, Russia, located on the north side of the Caucasus Mountains. It is also known as the Alan Republic, where less than 1% of foreigners have set foot.
Note: Due to heavy traffic, the border crossing from Georgia to North Ossetia, Russia, can take a long time. We will help tourists obtain Russian e-visas in advance.
·afternoon
As the capital of North Ossetia, Vladikavkaz is a city with a rich cultural atmosphere. After checking in, tourists will embark on a city walk, capturing the scenery and life of this small city with their cameras.
The city tour will be arranged in the following order: Mukhtarov Mosque - Central Street - National Museum of the Republic of Alania - Vladikavkaz City Hall - Statue of the General.
Mukhtarov Mosque: a rare Islamic building in Russia.
Take a stroll along Central Street, and when the light rail tram comes, a blockbuster photo with the snow-capped mountains as the background and the city as the support will appear (whether the snow-capped mountains can be photographed depends on the weather conditions)!
The National Museum of the Republic of Alania houses over 300,000 exhibits, detailing the evolution of local culture from the Paleolithic Age to the present day.
Afterwards, we'll continue along the city's main river, the Terek, to photograph the Soviet-style Vladikavkaz City Hall (the third Soviet relic of this trip). We'll also take a photo with a statue of a general from the Alanic Republic, leaving our mark on this place.
·night
You can have dinner at Central Street by yourself and then walk back to the hotel to rest. Central Street is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Day 4: Full-day tour around Vladikavkaz (City of the Dead)
·morning
After breakfast, we will transfer to an off-road vehicle to start exploring the Caucasus Mountains.
The Caucasus Mountains were truly breathtaking. The images in geography textbooks were completely different from the experience of actually being there. They were truly beautiful. The green grasslands blended seamlessly with the snow-capped mountains in the distance, leaving the tourists feeling refreshed both physically and mentally.
Special arrangement: Today we will also arrange Russian beauties or handsome men in traditional costumes to be our shooting models.
Karmartin Gorge: With an average altitude of 750 to 1,200 meters, you'll be able to take in stunning natural scenery and see modern art, like a giant Ossetian letter ӕ!
[City of the Dead]: Located in a secluded mountainous area, the entrance is marked by a cobblestone path. Follow it to the top, where you'll find towers dating back centuries. The entire complex is breathtaking and unforgettable. Last century, plague claimed many lives, leaving countless souls buried here. Each tower holds up to 100 souls, and the higher the status and wealth of the deceased, the higher the tower's location.
Along the way, you'll pass two or three observation decks and a popular swing, all with the canyon as your backdrop. At the Towers of the Two Brothers, you'll learn about the history of the Alan Republic. These ancient defensive structures are now in ruins, but tourists can still evoke images of the bloody battles fought by ancient peoples beneath their ruins.
·afternoon
Lunch is at your own expense in the small town of Kidikos. We recommend trying the Oseti flatbread. In this small town, tourists can deeply experience the atmosphere of the former Soviet Union, both in its architecture and its people (the fourth Soviet relic of this trip).
After the meal, take photos of the Alansky Monastery in the town and taste a glass of mountain spring water from nature at the natural mineral water tap next to it.
Afterwards, we return to Vladikavkaz. Tourists can explore on their own if they have enough time.
·night
After dinner, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 5 Vladikavkaz → Mtskheta (Georgia)
·morning
After breakfast at the hotel, return to Georgia.
·afternoon
After crossing the border, enjoy a local Georgian meal for lunch.
Afterwards, we will drive to the ancient capital of Mtskheta, which was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Iberia on Georgian soil. Numerous temples, cemeteries, ancient architectural ruins, and fortifications from the ancient Greek and Roman periods have been discovered here.
Visit the Jvari Monastery. Due to its topography, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire ancient city.
Visit the Pillar of Life Cathedral. This is the second largest cathedral in Georgia. It is said that St. Nino chose this site to build the first church in Georgia. The gate of the Pillar of Life Cathedral is considered a model of Georgian religious architecture. Afterwards, you can stroll around the ancient city on your own.
The hotel's rooftop offers a chance to take sunset photos of the Jvari Monastery and the Pillar of Life.
·night
Tourists can check in and rest at the hotel after dinner.
Day 6 Mtskheta → Gori → Kutaisi
·morning
After breakfast, depart for Gori.
Upon arrival in Gori, we visited the Stalin Museum (the fifth Soviet relic on this itinerary). Founded in 1957, the museum showcases Stalin's life and deeds, along with related artifacts and his evolution from youth to old age. The museum is divided into three sections, each showcasing a historical progression, featuring items related to the Revolution, the Humanities, and World War II, as well as gifts from various countries. Next to the former residence is the carriage of Stalin's former train.
After lunch, drive to Kutaisi.
·afternoon
Photograph the "Tiffany Blue" Bagrati Cathedral, built at the beginning of Georgia's Golden Age. The cathedral is situated on Ukmeriona Hill, offering panoramic views of the city of Kutaisi.
·night
After dinner, check in to the hotel and rest.
Day 7 Kutaisi → Tsqaltubo → Mestia
·morning
After breakfast, we will go to Kutaisi Central Agricultural Products Market. Here, tourists can get close to the local people’s life and record the real side of life with their cameras.
Afterwards, we'll drive to the abandoned Soviet sanatorium at Tskaltubo (the sixth Soviet site on this itinerary). This abandoned palace, hidden in the forest, is a place where you'll sigh at the decline of a great nation. Under the sunlight, any abandoned site here is incredibly photogenic, making it an underrated gem.
·afternoon
After the tour, we will drive to Mestia, located in the heart of ancient and unique Svaneti, Georgia, which is a world cultural heritage site in Georgia.
After arriving in Mestia, if there is enough time, tourists can stroll through the streets of the town.
Day 8 Mestia → Ushguli
·morning
After breakfast, we will take a van to the Skyline Cable Car. Then, we will take the cable car to the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Mestia and everything in the world.
After reaching the top of the mountain, you can check in at the popular cafe or have free time at the top of the mountain.
·afternoon
Meet at the designated time to descend the mountain by cable car, then journey by ATV to the dreamland of Ushguli. Ushguli Village and Upper Svaneti are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Ushguli, visit Queen Tamara's castle and the exterior of the Ushguli Museum.
Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of 2,200 meters, Ushguli Village is Europe's highest village, renowned for its numerous medieval defensive towers. Surrounded by rolling snow-capped mountains, gurgling rivers, and herds of cattle and sheep, it feels like a paradise, allowing visitors to experience the simple nature of Georgia's mountain people. Despite its limited accessibility, Ushguli Village has preserved a timeless sense of place and timelessness. Ushguli Village and Upper Svaneti are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Afterwards, you can explore the village on your own and record life in rural Georgia.
·night
Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel and then check in to the hotel to rest.
Day 9 Ushguli → Mestia
·morning
After breakfast, tourists can take photos freely in Ushguli to experience the regional customs of the highest-altitude rural area in Europe.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we returned to Mestia and headed to the secret filming location of Heshkiri. Here, the internet-famous flying swing serves as the starting point, with the snow-capped mountains surrounding us as the backdrop, allowing us to capture the magnificent scenery of Mestia. There's no time limit, so tourists can take as many photos as they want. In spring, the mountains are covered in blooming wildflowers, making for a great photo opportunity.
If there is enough time, tourists can also take photos and create their own works in the town of Mestia.
·night
After a free dinner, return to the hotel to rest.
Day 10 Mestia → Zugdidi → Batumi
·morning
After breakfast, we will bid farewell to Mestia and drive to Batumi, also known as the "Little Paris" on the Black Sea.
En route, we'll pass through Zugdidi, the capital of Upper Svaneti, 30 kilometers from the Black Sea coast. We'll visit the Dadiani Palace Museum (closed on Mondays; a $3 ticket refund is available, and a tour of the exterior is offered instead). This museum, widely considered one of the finest in the Caucasus, showcases the history and architectural models of Dadiani Palace. Visitors will be able to enter the museum and admire the art treasures housed in this private estate.
Lunch in Zugdidi.
·afternoon
After arriving in Batumi, tourists used their cameras to capture the wonderful moments of this Black Sea coastal city.
Visit the famous Miracle Park by the Sea. This area is filled with art and is visited daily by locals and tourists alike. Miracle Park is not only interesting for its unusual architecture and monuments.
Capture the sunset beauty of the Ali and Nino sculptures, which rotate to tell a poignant love story.
Day 11 Batumi → Tbilisi
·morning
After breakfast, we went to the peculiarly structured McDonald's in Batumi.
Then take a city walk in Batumi:
The tour begins at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Batumi, a historic structure that bears witness to the city's vicissitudes, its every stone telling a story of antiquity. Next, we reach Batumi Square, the heart of Batumi, where the surrounding buildings seem to evoke memories of the city's past glory. Across the square, we reach St. Nicholas's Orthodox Church, its spire gleaming in the sun, inviting tourists into its world.
Head to Europe Square and the Medea Statue. The architecture here is rich in European classical style, while also offering modern touches. Batumi's famous theater is also located here.
·afternoon
After lunch, drive back to Tbilisi.
Upon arrival in Tbilisi, we visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the third largest Orthodox church in the world. Its striking golden dome is indeed made of gold, donated by Georgians. This cathedral is easily visible from either side of the Kura River in Tbilisi, and its interior is unpretentious. It's important to note that women should wear long pants or below-the-knee skirts for easy access.
·night
After dinner, tourists will take a mountain train to and from the mountains surrounding Tbilisi. Climbing along the steep track, they'll enjoy a nighttime view of Tbilisi's old town.
After the tour, if you have enough time, you can arrange to take pictures of the old town of Tbilisi. Tbilisi is a veritable mountain city. There are many cobblestone roads in the old town, but the various mixed architectural styles and the occasional barking of dogs and talking of people are full of the atmosphere of fireworks.
Recommended walking route: Centered around the Kura River, admire Tbilisi's beautiful nightscape along both banks (King Statue - Theatre Park - Peace Bridge - Bar Street - Puppet Clock Tower). Then, check in to your hotel and rest.
Day 12 Tbilisi → Sighnaghi → Tbilisi
·morning
After breakfast, proceed to the small town of Sighnaghi:
This is Georgia's renowned wine region. The famous Georgian song, "A Million Roses," was dedicated to the painter Manishvili from Sighnaghi. He fell in love with the Parisian actress Marguerite. To win her heart, he sold all his possessions and bought a million roses for her. Because of this romantic story, Sighnaghi became known as the City of Love.
Upon arrival, we'll begin our stroll through the town of Sighnaghi. Bodbe Monastery is the burial place of Saint Nino, the woman who converted Georgia to Christianity. The king built a tomb and a church in her honor here. In the Middle Ages, many kings of the Kingdom of Kakheti chose to be crowned here, making it one of Georgia's most important pilgrimage sites.
·afternoon
Lunch was at the Kerovani Winery in downtown Sighnaghi. As a prime wine-producing region, a winery tour is a must-do in Sighnaghi. This family-run winery offers a wonderful experience, from drinking to dining and cellar tours. It's a relaxing lunch and a chance to get tipsy. The views are stunning, giving it the feeling of visiting a friend's home.
Sighnaghi Viewing Point: There are many viewpoints in the whole town. This is the most classic panoramic angle of the town. It is at the fork in the road and is also the source of the representative picture of Sighnaghi.
The Sighnaghi City Wall is also a very solid defensive facility. The total length of the wall is over 4.5 kilometers, with a total of 23 towers. The view from the top is very spectacular.
·night
In the evening, ascend the Narikala Fortress* (cable car ticket included) to capture the night view of Tbilisi. The fortress, located on a small hill south of Tbilisi's Old Town, served as the city's last line of defense and is now considered a landmark not only for the Old Town but also for Tbilisi itself. While Narikala is now just a section of the ruins, Tbilisi residents consider it the "heart and soul of the city," and a massive cross has been erected at the highest point of the ruins. It's also a great spot for panoramic views of Tbilisi, especially the Old Town.
Not far away is the Statue of Mother Georgia (the seventh former Soviet relic on this trip). This majestic and tall statue faces the ancient city. She holds a bowl in her left hand and a sword in her right hand, symbolizing the great victory of Georgia in the anti-fascist war and becoming the symbol of the city.
After the shooting, we returned to the hotel to rest.
Day 13 Tbilisi → Urumqi
·morning
After breakfast, we arranged a photography tour of Tbilisi’s former Soviet buildings for tourists (the eighth former Soviet relic of this trip).
As a former Soviet republic, Tbilisi has many Soviet architectural heritage sites in its urban area, and its structuralism and brutalism design language still has a lot of visual charm!
The specific shooting route is as follows: Palace of Rituals - Skybridge - Bank of Georgia - Former Archaeological Museum - Monument of St. Nino.
·afternoon
After lunch, we wandered through the Ganqiao Flea Market. Tourists can't even begin to imagine the sheer number of treasures hidden within this garden flea market. From vintage jewelry and vinyl records to antique cameras, exquisite porcelain cutlery, and even small trinkets like stamps and banknotes, vintage lovers are ecstatic. No one will leave empty-handed.
Afterwards, you can relax at your own leisure if you have enough time.
·night
After dinner, proceed to the airport to board your flight back home.
Day 14 Urumqi
All day
The trip ends after arriving in Urumqi.
