PUMAKKALE, TURKEY

TURKEY

The place that i wish to visit at Turkey is Pumakkale . I heard many activities can be done at there.

 What is Pamukkale?

The surreal, brilliant white travertine terraces and warm, limpid pools of Pamukkale hang, like the petrified cascade of a mighty waterfall, from the rim of a steep valley side in Turkey’s picturesque southwest. Truly spectacular in its own right, the geological phenomenon that is Pamukkale, literally "Cotton Castle" in Turkish, is also the site of the remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. With such a unique combination of natural and man-made wonders it’s little wonder that Pamukkale-Hierapolis has been made a Unesco World Heritage site. With over two million visitors annually, it is also Turkey’s single most visited attraction.

 Why go?

There are dramatic travertine terraces dotted all around the globe, from China to Iran, the USA to Afghanistan. But nowhere else in the world can visitors enjoy exploring both picturesque travertine formations, built up over the millennia from limestone deposited by the abundant hot springs, and the colonnaded streets, temples, bath houses, necropolis and theatre of the remains of an idyllically located Greek-Roman spa city, Hierapolis. You can even bathe, as the Romans once did, in a picturesque pool filled with warm (around 36C), mineral rich waters and swim amongst submerged columns of great antiquity.

 How to get to Pamukkale

Pamukkale-Hierapolis is situated on the western rim of the vast Anatolian plateau, around 120 miles east of the popular Aegean resort cum cruise ship port of Kusadasi, near Ephesus. Most visitors come on gruelling day trips from Aegean or Mediterranean resorts. The easiest way to visit under your own steam is to hire a car - the drive takes around three hours from Kusadasi, four from Antalya and Marmaris, five from Bodrum. Alternatively comfortable inter-city coaches run to Denizli, the nearest city to Pamukkale, from all the aforementioned places and take around the same time as driving. Frequent buses and minibuses make the 40 minute run between Denizli’s bus station and Pamukkale. Turkish Airlines (turkishairlines.com) and Pegasus (flypgs.com) both fly to Denizli’s Cardak airport from Istanbul. Rail buffs might be interested in the four times daily service between Izmir and Denizli, via Selcuk.


• The best drives along the Turquoise coast

At Hierapolis you can bathe in hot mineral waters   Photo: Turkish tourist board 

 How to avoid the crowds

The best way to enjoy an uncrowded visit is to spend the night in Pamukkale village, which has plenty of accommodation (see below), then explore the formations and ancient site the following morning. The vast majority of day-trippers don’t arrive until the afternoon after the long drive-in from the coast. Late-afternoon/dusk are especially busy. Pamukkale is also relatively uncrowded in winter (November through to March), especially on weekdays. It can, though, be cold and even snowy.

The best way to enjoy an uncrowded visit is to spend the night in Pamukkale village, then explore the formations the following morning.   Photo: Turkish tourist board

Tips for visiting Pamukkale

The best way to approach the ancient site is to walk up through the formations on the travertine path, starting at the south gate to the site. You are not permitted to wear shoes or even sandals to do this (to prevent eroding or staining the delicate calcite deposits) so bring your footwear (and everything else you’ll need for exploring the ancient ruins) along in a bag. Wearing swimwear allows you to splash in the warm, aquamarine pools en-route, and later swim in the antique pool at the top of the terracing. Allow the whole day to make the most of the travertines, pools and remains - bring a picnic lunch (and plenty of water/suncream etc in mid-summer).

 Opening times and admission fees

Hierapolis/Pamukkale travertines joint site entry: 25TL (£6/RM32.56). Open Nov-March 6am-6.30pm, April-Oct 6am-midnight.
Antique pool entry: 32TL (£7.50/RM40.70). Open Nov-March 8am-5.30pm, April-Oct 8am-7.30pm.

Bring swimming gear to dip in the turquoise pools  Photo: Alamy

Where to stay nearby

Recommended accommodation in pleasant Pamukkale village includes Melrose Hotel (melrosehousehotel.com) and the dearer Hotel Hal-Tur (haltur.net).

• The best hotels on the Turquoise Coast

I REALLY HOPE ONE DAY I WILL BE AT THERE

Trip to Korea

Assalamualaikum .w.b.t. Today i will tell about my trip to Korea. Korea is a beautiful country. At Korea have idol group that i like but i can't see them because the place that i trip this time at Jeju Island one of the best place at South Korea.The place are beautiful rainbow and has a lot of histroy. There are a few place that i visit at Jeju Island

1. Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (182 meters high) rose from the sea in a series of volcanic eruptions beginning over 100,000 years ago.

The site resembles an old fortress on a coastal cliff and was originally a volcanic island but was later connected as sand and gravel accumulated in between.

The sunrise seen from the peak is considered one of the most fascinating scenic views in Jeju.

Admission Fees

Age 24-64: 2,000 won / Age 7-23: 1,000 won / 65 and over, 6 and under: Free

Getting there

By Bus

1. From Jeju-si

Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal -> Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (1 hour 30 min ride/ 20 min interval)

2. From Seogwipo

Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal -> Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak (1 hour 30 min ride/ 20 min interval)

2. Manjanggul Cave

 Manjanggul Cave is the longest lava tube in the world. It is 5 meters wide, between 5 to 10 meters high and is over 13 km long.

The lava tube, which formed about 2.5 million years ago, has been well preserved, revealing a splendid interior that is out of this world. Only one kilometer of its total length is open to tourists.

Admission Fees

Adults – 2,000 won / Youth –  1,000 won / Children – 1,000 won

Free – Senior citizens, disabled visitors

Getting there

Bus

From Jeju-si

Jeju Bus Terminal, take the Donghoe Line Intercity Bus to get off at the parking lot near Manjanggul Cave Entrance. (Takes approximately 30 minutes.) At the parking lot, take a town bus bound for Manjanggul or a taxi.

From Seogwipo

Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, take the Donghoe Line Intercity Bus to get off at the parking lot near Manjanggul Cave Entrance. (First Bus: 5:50 a.m. / Last Bus: 8:00 p.m. / 20 Min. Intervals / Takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.)

Traveling Tips

After reaching Manjanggul bus station, take a taxi from main road to Manjanggul Cave as it is NOT WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE from main road, unless you are up to a 45 minutes walk challenge.

3. Jeju Folk Village Museum

With a total of 117 houses and facilities, Jeju Folk Village Museum has restored the scenes of the village to that of the 1890’s. Among them are Mountain Village, Hill-Country Village, Fishing Village and Shamanism Village.

On land of more than 40 acres it has been reconstructed following long-term research and analysis of experts. Some of the extensive range of folk items on display are 1,627 woodenware, 1,046 bamboo ware, 1,699 earthenware, 1,544 porcelain ware, 765 wax candles, 921 ironware and 579 other items.

The Jeju Folk Village Museum is the island’s main tourist attraction where customs of the old days can be explored.

Admission Fees

Adult : 7,000 won / Youth : 4,500 won / Child : 3,500 won

Getting There

4. Hallasan Mountain

Situated in the heart of Jeju Island, Mount Hallasan (1,950 meters) is the highest mountain in Korea and a dormant basalt volcano.

About 360 parasitic cones, or oreum in the Jeju dialect, are found on the volcano’s flanks, creating a remarkable landscape. On top of the mountain is a crater lake called Baengnokdam, which is 3 kilometers in circumference and 500 meters in diameter.

The landscape is beautiful throughout the year and a diverse and rare ecosystem can be found at different altitudes. As such, Mount Hallasan is a Natural Conservation Area.

Admission Fees

Adults: 1,600 won / Youths: 600 won / Children: 300 won

Getting there

Bus

From Jeju-Si

From Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus bound for Seongpanak (first bus 6:00 / last bus 21:30 / 10 min interval / 35 min ride / 1,700 won). Get off at the entrance Seongpanak.

5. Jusangjeolli Cliffs

Jusangjeolli Cliffs refer to the set of blackish, rock pillars of rectangular or hexagonal shapes on the east coast of Jungmun Tourist Resort. As if carved by stonemasons, the pillars are evidence of nature’s awesome power.

Most commonly expressed as vertical columnar jointing, the formations are created via sudden cooling of lava that shrinks in mass. The sight of waves crashing against the columns is both serene and beautiful.

On days with rough weather, waves can rise as high as 20 meters.

Admission Fees

Adult 2,000 won / Youth and Child 1,000 won

Getting there

Bus – Take Airport Limousine Bus & stop at International Convention Center. Keep walking to the right direction(5 min walk).

6. Cheonjeyeon Falls

Cheonjeyeon Falls (천제연폭포), named ‘The pond of God’, consists of 3 parts. Around the falls, a variety of plant life thrives, such as the rare ‘solipnan’ reeds. To the east, there is a cave where cold water pours from the ceiling to create a waterfall.

Admission Fees

Adults 2,500 won / Youths 1,370 won / Children 1,370 won

Getting there

Bus – Take Airport Limousine Bus & stop at Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex

7. Seonimgyo Bridge

Seonimgyo Bridge is an arch bridge on Jeju Island  over Cheonjeyeon Waterfall that has seven nymphs carved on both sides.

The bridge is also called Chilseonyeogyo (칠선녀교) or Seven Nymphs Bridge.

The nymphs symbolize the Korean legend of the descent of seven beautiful nymphs from heaven at night. Seonimgyo Bridge is the first arch bridge or Ojakgyo  (오작교) design in the region.

Admission Fees

Adult – 2,500 won

Getting there

Bus – Take Airport Limousine Bus & stop at Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex