We are visa-free with Georgia!
Yesterday (that is, April 10), China and Georgia officially signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, and we can stay in Georgia for no more than 30 days without a visa, which is much more convenient than before
Georgia is located at the junction of Asia and Europe, most of its territory is in Asia, and the geographical part also belongs to Asia, but it is generally considered a European country for historical and cultural reasons.
I have always thought that it is a seriously underrated tourist country, with high appearance, low prices, snow-capped mountains, grasslands and seas, and high safety, and it is very OK to travel alone.
Here, you can also enjoy the same scenery and culture in Europe at a very low price, drink wines with a longer history than France, get the snow-capped mountain church on the cover of Lonely Planet, and visit the real Caucasus secrets...... It's a perfect score for the level of fun.
If you depart domestically, China Southern Airlines has a direct flight from Urumqi to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, four times a week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday), and there are quite a few
It is also convenient to transfer from places such as Istanbul, Doha and Dubai.
If you want to explore a new travel map, Georgia can be a priority.
Taking advantage of the good news of mutual visa exemption, today I will also update you on the Georgian strategy.
How to play Georgia
About Georgia
Georgia is located in Asia, in the central and western Caucasus, with neighboring countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, etc.
You can choose to visit only one part of Georgia, or you can join it with two neighboring countries (Azerbaijan and Armenia) and take a Transcaucasian loop.
Tips: Georgia and Armenia have been visa-free, and Azerbaijan is visa-on-arrival.
Domestic transportation in Georgia
Georgia recognizes Chinese driver's licenses, and like the mainland of China, it is driven on the left side and on the right, if you want to fully explore Georgia, it is recommended to drive locally.
There are many car rental companies in the local area, and you only need to bring your driver's license + International Driver's Permit translation to rent a car in the local area.
Friends who don't know how to drive don't have to worry too much, there are buses between major tourist cities, some remote travel places have day trips, and public transportation + carpooling/chartering can also play the classic destinations of Georgia.
How to arrange the route
✔ For friends who go to Glu for the first time and have little time, it is recommended to drive the Eastern Small Ring Road (Tbilisi-Signagy-Kazbek-Tbilisi), and then take a train/plane from Tbilisi to Batumi on the western Black Sea coast, such a route can be done in 7 or 8 days if it is fast, and the mountains and seas are complete.
✔ For those who have more time, it is recommended to add Wushu's hometown, Mestia, Kutaisi, Gori and other western Georgia travel places, go deep into the secret land of the Caucasus region to embrace the snow-capped mountains and forests, and complete the in-depth tour of Georgia.
The full route is as follows
D1: Arrival in Tbilisi
D2:第比利斯citywalk
D3: Tbilisi - Signagi
D4: Signaji Kazbek
D5: Kazbek-Kutaisi
D6: Kutaisi Zugdidi Mestia
D7: Mestia - Uzhu Hometown - Zugdidi
D8: Zugdidi - Batumi
D9: Batumi-Gori
D10: Gori - Tbilisi - Return
Click here for details on how to play
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and often our first stop on our arrival in Georgia.
It is a very European city, with warm sunlight, colorful buildings, old churches and monasteries.
Tbilisi's main attractions are concentrated in the Old Town, which can be started from Freedom Square and spend a day or two exploring the Old Town and Citywalking.
✅ The Clock Tower: It is one of the symbols of Tbilisi, built in the early 20th century, be sure to come here for an hour, there will be a very interesting puppet show;
✅ Peace Bridge: The Peace Bridge spans the Kura River and connects the new city to the old city, which is a very dramatic modern building, but it is still very pleasant to stroll on the bridge and see the scenery on both sides;
✅ Mother Fortress: Originally called Narikala Fortress, it overlooks the whole of Tbilisi, and if you don't want to walk, you can take the cable car to Rik Park across the Peace Bridge;
✅Jumah Mosque: It is said that here, Sunni and Shia Muslims can pray together, which is rare in the world;
In addition, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is also a must-visit in Tbilisi, this Tbilisi landmark has been featured in countless guides and travelogues, as the largest Orthodox church in Georgia, the bright yellow exterior looks very classical.
Signagi
In the domestic strategy, Signagi has always been synonymous with "red wine town", because it is the birthplace of Georgian red wine, and wineries can be found everywhere.
But in the hearts of the locals, it is also the first romantic "love town", where marriage registration can be carried out 24 hours a day, no matter what nationality you are, as long as you have a passport, you can get married here.
Signaghi is one of the most beautiful towns in Georgia, it is built in the forest on the mountain, and the buildings in the town are basically very fairy-tale European-style buildings, which are super beautiful from a distance.
When coming to Sighnaji, these two places are a must-see:
One is the ancient Great Wall of the town, which is about 4 kilometers long, with towers on it, with a long history, and a church within the city walls - St. George's Church, which can be walked around;
The second is the Monastery of San Nino, the monastery under the snow-capped mountains has its own romantic color, and there is a lawn next to the monastery, where you can sit and watch the scenery superbly.
The rest of the time you can take a slow walk around the town, plus eat and drink, which is very pleasant.
Tbilisi to Signagi is about 2h drive, if you are not driving in Georgia, you can charter a car or take a bus from the station near the Samgori metro station in Tbilisi.
Friends who like to drink can find a homestay here to stay for one more night, there are many wine tasting shops here, most of them are not expensive, it is rare to come to taste more wine here, the quality is very good.
The red wine ice cream is also delicious, so don't forget to eat it when you come to Signaji.
Kazbegi (renamed Stepantsminda)
At the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, the scenery of Kazbegi is very similar to that of Xinjiang Switzerland, and you can waste your time at the foot of the snow-capped mountains and in the mountains of Kazbegi, where you can forget all your worries.
The most exciting thing in Kazbegi is the Gergeti Trinity Church at the top of the hill, a classic Orthodox church that stands beneath the snow-capped mountains.
In the hearts of the locals, this is also the closest church to the sky, lonely and sacred.
Next to the church, you can overlook the whole town, which is surrounded by tall blue mountains, like a place where gods live.
Although it is possible to drive to Kazbegi, it is recommended to return to Tbilisi the same day after Signaji and then drive from Tbilisi to Kazbegi the next day, as the Military Highway of Tbilisi-Kazbegi is a beautiful road that runs through the Caucasus Mountains.
LP's Caucasian cover was shot at the Ananuri fortress along the Military Avenue, with a fairytale mix of castles, lakes and mountains.
On the way, you will also pass the Monument to the Russian-Georgian Friendship, which is also a great place to take photos and see the beautiful gorge from the observation deck.
Tip: If you are travelling by public transport, you can take a bus to Kazbegi at the Didube Bus Terminal in Tbilisi.
Kutaisi
It is the end of the world and the place where the sun rises in Greek mythology, where Iason captured the Golden Fleece.
In reality, it was once the capital of the Kingdom of Colchis and is one of the oldest cities in Europe, located on the banks of the Rioni River.
In Kutaisi, you can spend the day visiting churches and monasteries.
✅ Bagrat Cathedral: Located on the top of Ukmerioni Hill, it is a classic building of the Georgian Golden Age, and it overlooks the city from the top of the mountain.
The Tiffany blue roof of the church is very dreamy, and the frescoes and reliefs of the church are also beautiful, and it is dramatic that it was once inscribed on the World Heritage Site, but it was removed due to excessive renovation.
✅ Mosa Meta Monastery: Built on a cliff, it has a strong sense of escape. The monastery itself is nothing special, but the surrounding scenery is more healing.
✅ Glatt Monastery: The most recommended place in Kutaisi, it is a typical Orthodox church built during the Golden Age of Georgia.
It is also the only World Heritage Site in Kutaisi, where the Cathedral of Our Lady is the largest building inside, and you must not miss the medieval frescoes inside the church, which are extremely beautiful.
Hometown of Mestia-Ushu
Mestia
In Mestia, you would believe that paradise is not far away.
Located in the heart of Svaneti, Georgia, Mestia is a true secret of the Caucasus. From Kutaisi to Mestia, you can gradually see the snow-capped mountains, and the scenery along the way will become more and more beautiful.
Mestia is also a place where you can see the snow-capped mountains in 360 degrees, plus the church and the cross, it is so beautiful that it explodes.
When you come to Mestia, you must visit Koruldi Lake, which has a beautiful reflection of snow-capped mountains, and you can sit by the lake and be infinitely happy even if you are in a daze.
Wushu's hometown
Do you believe in the kingdom of God, then come to the hometown of Wushu.
Located on the hills of Mestia, Wushu's hometown is a group of four small villages and is one of the World Heritage Sites of Georgia and is said to be the highest settlement in Europe.
The scenery here is more dreamy than Mestia, with snow-capped mountains all year round, matcha-green meadows, flowing rivers, and mysterious, quaint medieval villages...... The scenery is beautiful.
Both places can be reached by car, but the best way is on foot, and the scenery on the way is always the most fascinating.
It takes about four days to get from Mestia to the hometown of Wushu, and every moment of the trekking road is picturesque, and the snow-capped mountains seem to be within reach, so it is a place where the gods live.
Although some places in western Sichuan on the mainland are not inferior to the scenery here, these two places are already overcrowded, and if you want to enjoy the fairy-level scenery to yourself, you may have to go through extremely difficult hikes to get there, such as the Genie and Wusun Ancient Trail hikes.
However, the difficulty of the hike is much easier, and the altitude here is about 2,000 meters, so you can enjoy the snow-capped mountains without worrying about the high altitude.
There will be road signs, safe cabins, route directions and accommodation supplies along the way, so you don't have to worry about logistics.
Tips: The end of May ~ the beginning of October is the best hiking season, and it is recommended to come in May and June, when the world of flowers is more fairytale.
Anyway, 30 days of visa-free, friends who are not in a hurry to return to China can live here for a few days in Wushu's hometown and give themselves a vacation in this paradise. It is recommended to choose the accommodation in Wushu's hometown at the entrance of the village, and the transportation is more convenient.
Let's talk about public transport in the Mestia area:
Tbilisi has flights to Mestia, which can be purchased ticket.vanillasky.ge the official website and departs from Natakhtari, which runs once a day. It only takes 40 minutes, which is very fast.
Or take a train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, the main transport hub in western Georgia.
Zugdidi has a minibus to Mestia, and after arriving in Mestia, there will be a minibus to the hometown of Wushu, which will depart as soon as it is full.
In addition, Mestia is also a popular destination for skiers, surrounded by Mount Elbrus and a number of 5000+ peaks, and you can see snow-capped mountains all year round, so it's completely OK to visit in winter.
Batumi
When you go to Batumi, you go from the turquoise mountains of Georgia to the blue sea (if you don't have a car, you can take a slow train from Tbilisi).
Batumi, the summer capital of Georgia, is located on the Black Sea coast and is also a super chill seaside town.
The gameplay in the coastal cities is similar, watching the sea, being in a daze, eating and drinking...... The main thing is a comfortable vacation.
Here, you can ride or stroll along the coastal promenade with your friends, the sea is blue, and you can see the Ferris wheel and all sorts of interesting sculptures along the way.
One of the most iconic is the Ali &Nino sculpture, which represents the love story of a Muslim boy and a Christian girl, who rotate every hour, meeting, embracing and separating every day.
By the way, skateboards can also be rented at the beach, and those who like to skateboard can enjoy the sunset and the sea while skateboarding at the beach in the evening.
At the Batumi Airport Runway Viewpoint in Batumi, you can also take pictures of low-flying planes, and friends who like photography can go and see them.
The center of Batumi's old town is the Plaza de l'Europe, not far from the sea, within walking distance or by the stop if you have time.
Eating can also be solved near the Place de l'Europe, and you can find a restaurant with more locals to eat.
Gori
The last stop in Georgia is Gori, which is just over an hour's drive from Tbilisi, and you can return to Tbilisi and back after your visit.
This is Stalin's hometown and is home to the world's only official Stalinist museum.
Gori is not very big, and there are three main places to visit here: the Stalin Museum, Gori Fortress and Uplistsikhe.
✅ The Stalin Museum can see an introduction to Stalin's life and gifts from China to Stalin, etc.;
✅ Gori Fortress is on a rocky hill in the city, one was built in the Middle Ages, and you can see the panoramic view of Gori when you climb the fortress;
✅ Ulplis Chikh, a dozen kilometers away from the city, is the ruins of a stone town. It is said to have been the oldest residential area in the Caucasus, and you can see palaces, bathhouses, theaters, and other areas in the current ruins.
Tips for things to do in Georgia
A must-eat
When traveling outside, it is also important to eat in addition to playing.
Cheese bread, cashmere soup, kebabs, sausages, and buns are all must-eat delicacies in Georgia, and they are all must-try when you come to them.
currency
The currency of Georgia is the Lari, 1 Lary≈ 2.7126 yuan, which can be exchanged at the airport or picked up at an ATM marked with a UnionPay card.
Network Communications
There are three major operators in Georgia, Geocell, Magticom and Beeline, and you can buy their cards at Tbilisi airport with your passport, each with a 7-day unlimited data plan, and Magticom is said to have a more stable signal.
language
Georgian is spoken by the locals, and Russian is also widely spoken here.
time difference
The time difference between it and the country is 4 hours, and you can rest first after landing to reverse the jet lag.
Best time to visit
It can be done all year round, but late spring and early fall are the best.
Adapter plug
Be sure to bring a power converter, here the European standard double-bore cylinder is used.
If you don't find it enough to play Georgia alone, you can also play it with Armenia and Azerbaijan, but remember to put Georgia in the middle.
#春日生活打卡季#