Bazaar photography

Kazbegi, officially named Stepantsminda, is a small town surrounded by mountains, located in Mtskhta-Mtianieti state in the northeast of Georgia, near the Russian border. It is about 150km away from the capital Tbilisi, and it takes about two and a half hours by car. With beautiful scenery and convenient transportation, it has attracted more and more tourists with colorful natural scenery and amazing hiking routes in recent years, and has become one of the must-see destinations in Georgia. Its eponymous mountain range, Kazbek Mountain, is the third highest mountain in Georgia, enjoying the reputation of "the soul of the Caucasus" and being called "the place closest to God" by Lonely Planet. Local attractions include the Stepantsminda Historical Museum in the town, the nearby Gergeti Trinity Church, Kazbek Mountain and Kazbek Nature Reserve.

After reading the introduction of the town, do you want to play? Do you know how to have fun in Kazbek? Come with me, a route will take you to Kazbek in all directions!

Tick-tock ~ The bus has already started. Are you ready to get in the car?

First of all, we started from Tbilisi, journey to the south, arrived at Mxieta, and turned into the military avenue. Let's start our four-day Georgia-Kazakhstan tour!

Tbilisi)-Mtskhta)-Bazaletti Lake

After breakfast, drive away. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of the Kula River or take a nap. After 30 minutes, get off and visit Jvari Monastery. 1 hour and 30 minutes later, continue to Mtskheta. Visit the city, have lunch, continue on the road after 2 hours and arrive at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Visit for about 30-40 minutes, drive to Lake Bazaletti, walk by the lake and watch the sunset. After that, I arranged my own dinner and stayed at the Bazaletti Lake Hotel in the evening. (Note: Reservation is required in advance)

The Jevari Monastery, also known as the Cross Monastery, is an Orthodox monastery in the sixth century, located near Mtskhta in eastern Georgia. This church has survived to this day and has become a rare case of early medieval churches in Georgia. This ancient church stands on the top of the Jawari Mountain at an altitude of 656 meters, which is one of the examples of the harmonious integration of Georgian architectural features and natural environment.

It is said that in the early 4th century, the missionary Sannino was famous for converting Iberian kingdom to Christianity. She erected a wooden cross on the mountain. This wooden cross can create miracles and attract pilgrims from all over the world, so a small church was built here. Divari Monastery is an early church with four arches and four niches, which can only be seen in Georgia and Armenia. For centuries, the building has been damaged by rain and wind erosion. Due to the lack of manual maintenance, it was included in the 2004 World Monument Watch by the World History Foundation.

Mtskhta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia and its former capital. It is located in Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Georgia, about 20 kilometers away from Tbilisi. The town is the birthplace of Georgia and one of the most active Christian centers, and is regarded as a "holy city" by Georgians. Because of its historical significance and several cultural sites, UNESCO listed Mzhheta as a World Heritage Site in 1994. In 20 16, its historical sites were placed under enhanced protection, including the magnificent medieval church Jvari monastery and Svetitskhoveli cathedral.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 4th century, is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. It is also the second cathedral in Georgia, second only to Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. In its name, "Sveti" means "pillar" and "tskhoveli" means "giving life" or "living". 1 1 Century Church is located in the middle of the old city.

According to legend, Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem in the 1 th century. The holy robe he wore at the time of suffering was bought by Elias, a Georgian Jew from Mzhota, from a Roman soldier in Golgotha and brought back to Georgia. His sister Szidonia put on this robe out of curiosity and died before she took it off. Elias buried her sister's body with the holy robe of Jesus, and then a towering cedar grew in the grave. 300 years later, Sannino came to Hita and built a church on this tomb. The seven pillars made of cedar have supernatural properties and can take off on their own. Before the pillar fell back to the ground, Sannino knelt down and prayed all night. The church got its name from this.

Bazaletti Lake, located on the plateau of Bazaletti Lake, 40 kilometers away from Tbilisi, is the birthplace of volcanoes. There are not only beautiful lakes and natural scenery, but also famous resorts, especially beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Here, you can also watch the white cylindrical colonnade, which is a symbol of friendship and love between Georgians and Jews for 2500 years. Lake Bazaletti is 900 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains and fresh air. Lake water has the function of rehabilitation, and can be used to treat dermatoses, gynecological diseases, rheumatism and bone and joint diseases. Therefore, if you want to spend a healthy holiday, enjoy the beautiful scenery and recuperate, this will be a good place to go.

Lake Bazaletti Hotel opened here in 2007. This is one of the most popular hotels for young people, with an open-air swimming pool, alleys and sports fields. When you come here, you can play guitar, swim and bask in the sun in nature and enjoy the happy time in midsummer.

Bazaletti Lake)-Dusheti)-Ananuri Fortress)-Gudari)-Keweimo Okrokana Village-Kazbage.

Get up early to watch the sunrise, full of energy. Stretch, have breakfast and start the next day's trip. Depart from Bazaletti Lake, 15-20 minutes later arrive at Tushetti Town. Visit St. George's Church in the 9th 9- 10/0th century and the Chirashvili Family Palace in the 8th century. If you are interested, you can try the local khinkali. After an hour and a half, return to Lake Bazaletti along the original road, turn to Military Avenue, go to Fort Ananuri, and arrive in 20-30 minutes. After staying here for 30 minutes, continue to the north, go straight through Pasanari town, about 1 hour, and reach the ancient road, which is suitable for sleep. After lunch, go to Gudaoli Ski Resort. Then go to the Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument and stay here for 30 minutes. Start the car again and drive to Kvemo Okrokana village. After getting off the bus, walk along Trousseau Gorge for four hours to get close to nature. After that, drive to Kazbek town and stay at Kazbek Rooms boutique hotel after dinner.

Duchetti is a small town in Mtskhta-Mtianetti, Georgia, located 54 kilometers northeast of Tbilisi. Tusetti is a gathering area, known as "Shangri-La of Georgia". There are ancient pagodas, churches and villages everywhere. Colorful wildflowers and golden jungles set off beautiful mountains and rivers. There are many historical buildings and leisure places in and around the town, such as St. George's Church in the 9th 9- 10/0th century and Chirashvili Family Palace in the 8th century. Lake Bazaleti and Ananuri Castle are also close to here.

The spectacular medieval villages in Tusetti district are still inhabited by groups that abide by ancient pagan traditions. The winding mountain road is like a fairyland on earth. The fortress ruins and the Shatili settlement are just like the exotic places described in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The local mountaineers are also very generous and hospitable, and they will entertain tourists from afar with the most authentic khinkali (a kind of jiaozi stuffed with meat in China's eyes, boiled buns). There is a bus to Tbilisi in Tusetti town, and there is also an asphalt road to the expressway connecting Tbilisi and Kazbek (StepanMinda).

Georgian military highway is the main trunk road connecting the Caucasus mountainous provinces between Georgia and Russia, with a total length of 2 12km. 180 1 year, Tsar Alexander I of the Russian Empire ordered the construction of a highway to facilitate the passage of troops between Georgia and Russia. Later, it gradually developed into a business travel route for trade between the two countries.

The scenery along the Military Avenue is pleasant, attracting many world-famous poets and writers to seek inspiration. Russian writer Chekhov once wrote: "I have been addicted to the military avenue. This is not a road, but a poem. 19 14 Verlag Karl Baedeker, a famous Russian travel magazine, described Georgian military avenue as "one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world".

Ananuri fortress was built in13rd century, and it was the main stronghold of Aragwa Erista AVS, the ruler of this area, and remained an important military fortress until19th century. The fortress consists of two fortifications, the upper fortification is a large square tower called Sheupovari, which has been well preserved so far; The lower fortifications with circular towers are now in ruins. Next to it is a Georgian Orthodox church with a strong atmosphere. Ancient Georgian characters are carved on the walls, and there are gold-plated icons and flickering candles in the church.

Ananuri Fort is 70km away from Tbilisi, located in semi-Manoje, overlooking the surrounding Great Lakes. Emerald Lake, which sets off the elegant castle, is one of the most attractive scenic spots on the military avenue. Lonely Planet selected it as the cover picture of the Caucasus fascicle. The Georgian government applied for its inclusion in the World Cultural Heritage.

Located on the southern slope of the Great Caucasus Mountains, Gudali is a holiday resort for Georgians and foreigners. The resort is located in StepanMinda District, along the Jvari Pass near the Georgian Military Avenue, 0/20km away from Tbilisi/Kloc. At an altitude of 2000-2200m, it is already a high mountain area, with many mountains and beautiful mountains. The unique geological terrain and climatic conditions give people the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine all day. White winter scenery can heal the soul. The beautifully decorated ski resort seems to have no end.

Gudauri Ski Resort is the most famous speed skating and paragliding resort in Georgia. The ski season lasts from 65438+February to April, and the ski resort is open to the public free of charge. Only ski equipment needs to rent it. The length and difficulty of the track are different to meet the requirements of professionals and amateurs. The neat ski run is 20 kilometers long, which can provide all kinds of skiing possibilities. There are five different kinds of ski lifts at work. Each cable car has several operating options. The highest point of the track is 3250 meters, and the lowest point is 2050 meters. The total length of the prepared track is over 57 kilometers. The ski lift is open from 10 in the morning to 16 in the afternoon.

Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument, built in 1983, commemorates the bicentennial of the signing of the Treaty of Georgia between Russia and Georgia and the growing friendship between Soviet Georgia and Soviet Russia. This monument is located on the Georgian military avenue between Gudari and the ski resort Jvari Pass, which is 20 kilometers away from Tbilisi/Kloc-0. It is displayed as a Gudauri viewpoint on Google Maps.

Inside the monument is a large tile mural depicting the historical scenes of Georgian and Russian people's lives. The reason why this monument wins the favor of tourists lies not only in the monument itself, but also in its location. At an altitude of 2384 meters, the view is excellent. In the distance, there are rolling mountains in the clouds, and below is a valley. There is a pool of blue water in the valley, just like a huge sapphire embedded in the emerald valley. From the observation deck, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of canyons and small artificial lakes. It is reported that the height of the monument is about 10 meter. Visitors can try paragliding here, and there are many coaches providing services near the scenic spot, including Russian pilots. The cost is about 260 lari/person.

The entrance of Trousseau Gorge is the source of Tergi River, which is located on the Georgian military highway about 20km south of Kobi village. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, there are many historical and cultural attractions in the valley, including abandoned villages, ancient towers, Zakagori fortress ruins, carbonated mineral water, glaciers and rivers, and large birch forests. Kvemo Okrokana village is located 4 kilometers deep in the valley, and our hiking will start from here. Follow the road by the river-you will pass several abandoned houses and finally enter the beautiful Kasari Canyon. After several kilometers, cross a bridge to the right bank of the river. Shortly after crossing the bridge, the path turned to the west and the whole valley appeared before us.

Down this road is Ketrisi village, which is mostly in ruins and almost abandoned. At the end of the village, cross the bridge to the left bank of the river. You will see several monasteries here. First there is a pink church, and then there is a very beautiful new nun monastery. It is only a few steps away from the ruins of Zakagori fortress. Climb up the fort and overlook everything, and all the beautiful scenery can be seen. Below the fortress is the Georgian border post, from which you can lead to the border of South Ossetia. Tourists usually stop here and go back the same way-you can't venture deep into the valley unless you get a transit permit.

Kazbek Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is located at the foot of Kazbek Mountain in Kazbek Town, about 7 kilometers away from Trinity Church. Walk from Kazbek bus station to Tbilisi 10 minutes, and walk from Tbilisi airport 185 kilometers. Shuttle service from the airport to the hotel is available for a fee.

The guest room boutique hotel has excellent design sense and excellent vision. There is a lobby bar with a library and free wireless Internet connection. Guests can read and drink in the lobby bar, or dine on the terrace on the mountain. This fashionable restaurant is decorated with wooden furniture and serves international cuisine. You can arrange to visit local culture and cooking master classes for an extra fee.

All rooms in the hotel have modern decoration and flat screen TV. The bathroom is equipped with a shower. Remember to book in advance. If you don't plan to stay, you can also consider coming here for lunch.

Kazbek Guest Room Hotel Kazbek)-Golge village-Kazbek) -Tsdo village-Laersi border point)-Daryal Canyon)-Kazbek.

After breakfast in the hotel, I drove to Golge's village. It takes 20 minutes to get there, and you can directly reach the famous buildings in14th century and15th century, including Golge Trinity Church and Bell Tower built in14th century, and the clergy residence in15th century. After sightseeing for 2-3 hours, drive back to Kazbegi town. After lunch, drive to Tsdo village. After exploring the village and taking photos, go to the border point of Larsi. On the return trip, you will pass through Daryal Canyon, get off and walk, pass through Kazbage National Park, and reach Geveletti Falls. Return to Kazbek town in the evening, and recommend Kazbek Rooms Hotel Kazbegi for dinner accommodation.

Gegetti Trinity Church, also known as Zmida samba. Built in the14th century, it is independent of the top of the mountain at an altitude of 2 170 meters, and is known as the "church closest to heaven". After several wars, it still stands under the sky, witnessing the historical changes of Georgia. The history of its bell tower can be traced back to the same period when the church was built. Surrounded by steep peaks, it has become a symbol of Georgia and a business card landscape of Georgia.

Due to its steep geographical location, some precious cultural relics of Mtskheta were brought here for protection during the war, including the Sannino Cross, which was highly respected by Georgians. During the Soviet period, all religious activities were banned and churches became a popular tourist attraction. The sky is blue, and I am in the church, next to the Kazbegi Mountain. Today's Trinity Church is not only an activity place for Georgian Orthodox Christians, but also a popular choice for hikers in this area. It takes 3 hours to climb the mountain, or about 30 minutes to walk along the rugged mountain road by jeep.

Tsdo village is located in Dariali Canyon. Drive 6 kilometers north from Kazbek along the Military Avenue, and you can reach this charming village with rich colors. This is a great tourist attraction near Kazbek. You can take beautiful photos and enjoy the rural scenery in this area. From the altar on the mountain, you can enjoy the scenery of Lishuxing Mountain and Linxiya Mountain.

Tsdo Village has a beautiful environment and friendly people. Many tourists hitchhike to the foot of the mountain and then walk to the village. Most villagers grow vegetables on their own land, and some residents keep bees. The house where the beekeeper lives is very simple, but there is no denying that he is the owner of the second car in the village. Coming to such a village, everything is unknown, which will add a lot of fun to travel.

Larsi Border Point, the border point between Georgia and Russia, requires a Russian visa to pass. The border crossing point was opened on March 1 day, 2065438. The opening hours are 24 hours. For all citizens in the world, customs are multilateral. Cross-border roads are all in mountain tunnels, so you can't cross the border on foot. When the Zhiwali Pass in Georgia is closed, the border point is also closed, that is, the Larsi border point is usually closed in 1 month or February.

Darial Gorge is a border river gorge between Russia and Georgia, starting at the confluence of Chekhri River (near Kazbek) and ending near Chanlas. The canyon itself is 1 1 km long. The confluence of Kabakhi River and Khda River is the narrowest part of the canyon. Dayali Pass is very important in history, because it is one of the only two passes in the Great Caucasus Mountains, and the other is Derbent Pass.

In Russian poetry, canyons have always been immortal. Especially lermontov's poem The Devil makes it one of the most romantic places in the Caucasus. The locals proudly call themselves Mokheve (canyon residents). Walking in the canyon and approaching the international border patrolled by border guards, you can meet Lake Villetti, a heart-shaped lake surrounded by dense reeds. After a few more steps, we will meet Geveletti Waterfall again, which is a scenic spot not to be missed. Water flows out of the hard rock, falls into the tulle waterfall and then flows into the pool below.

Kazbek Guest Room Hotel Kazbegi)- Stepantsminda History Museum)-Kazbegi Mountain) -Juta Village-Tbilisi.

After breakfast, visit Stepan Smenda History Museum. Two hours later, rent a mountain off-road vehicle in the city center and go to Kazbek Mountain. Then return to the city center and return the SUV. Go south along the military avenue, and go to Juta village for an afternoon hiking picnic on the way. Return to Tbilisi in the evening.

The Stepan Smenda Museum of History is located in the memorial hall of Georgian writer Alexander Kazbek (1848- 1890). Together with the author's library and personal belongings, the museum collects ethnographic relics, archaeological exhibitions, religious relics, books and works of local artists in the river end area.

Kazbegi Mountain is a dormant volcano located in the Georgian Kazbek region and the Russian North Ossetia-Alanya Republic border, and it is one of the main mountain ranges in the Caucasus. At an altitude of 5033 meters, it is the third highest peak in Georgia and the seventh highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains. Known as "the closest place to God" by Lonely Planet, it also enjoys the reputation of "the soul of the Caucasus".

In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole the flame and spread it to the world. Zeus imprisoned him in a cave on Mount Kazbek to punish him. In Georgian folklore, Amilani, the god of gods, or the Georgian version of Prometheus, stole the flame and gave it to mortals, and was punished. He was imprisoned in a cave about 4000 meters above sea level in Bethlehem. It is said that many sacred cultural relics are preserved in the cave, including Abraham's tent and Jesus' manger.

Juta village is one of the highest settlements in Kazbek, with an altitude of 2,200 meters and a distance of 24 kilometers from Kazbek town (8 kilometers of which are roads and the rest are dirt roads). Juta village is located on the main ridge of Caucasian Mountains in Chaukhi Valley, at the source of Bakurkhevi River. The resident population here is only 18, surrounded by high mountain terrain, which is a good place to escape civilization and feel the nature.

Juta Canyon is called a photography paradise. So whether in winter or summer, Juta Village has gathered a large number of hikers.

They either ride horses, live with local families, or just camp in Juta, and feel the scenery of the four seasons and beautiful mountains and rivers wholeheartedly-listen to the rivers on the mountain and take photos with Qiuji Mountain as the background. The main attraction of this place is not the village itself, but Zeta Camping, a campsite on the hill 100 meters above the settlement. This is a unique place of peace, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Qiaoqi Mountain. There is a simple hiking trail next to Zeta camp, which goes straight to the foot of Jokshi Mountain (one and a half hours one way). From there, you can continue to the spectacular Lake Abd Lowry (2500 meters above sea level, 6 hours one way).

The distance from Tbilisi to Kazbek is about 150km, and the driving time is about two and a half hours. So it also attracted some people to take a one-day trip to Kazbek. We will sort out the traffic information and send it here. Remember to collect if you need it!

1. Minibus

From Tbilisi to Kazbegi: Take the subway or taxi to Didubei Station in Tbilisi (next to the subway station of the same name). Take a minibus to Kazbek; On the way back, I took a bus to the minibus stop in the center of Kazbek town. Take a minibus to Tbilisi. The one-way trip takes about 3 hours, and the one-way fee is 10 lari/person, which is about 4 dollars.

Advantages: The ticket price is cheap, and it is the cheapest mode of transportation from Tbilisi to Kazbek.

Disadvantages: The minibus will not stop at the Friendship Monument and Fort Ananuri.

Note: it only stops once in a 3-hour drive, so it is recommended to drink less water; People with inertia motion sickness need to prepare motion sickness medicine because of winding mountain roads; Personal space is narrow, because the driver will try to fill the passengers before starting; In winter, if it snows, the road will be impassable, if there is an avalanche, the road will be blocked and Marshrutka's driving plan will be cancelled.

2. Taxi (taxi)

If you don't like the atmosphere of minibus, you can go with others and book a taxi for 2-4 people to go to Kazbek. However, it won't be as cheap as Marshrutka. The round-trip taxi fare is about 150-200 lari (60-80 USD). You can also take a minibus on the return trip, which can relatively save travel costs. Taxi +Marshrutka is the most cost-effective way to travel from Tbilisi to Kazbek.

Advantages: fast speed; You can stop over and visit scenic spots along the way, such as Mtskheta, Russia-Georgia friendship monument, Ananuri fort and so on. It's convenient to call a car, and you can get a car rental service through applications such as Maxim, My Taxi and Yandex.

Disadvantages: the cost is relatively high.

Note: the price will depend on the situation, whether it is the peak season, and your bargaining skills. It's best to have a Georgian friend to help you bargain, which may save a lot of money. )

guided tour

You can sign up for the "One-Day Tour of Kazbek", which is available in almost every Georgian travel agency. Depart from Tbilisi in the morning and return to Tbilisi in the evening. The journey takes about 10- 12 hours, and the cost is about 50 lari/person, including four-wheel drive from Kazbek to Trinity Church.

Advantages: All scenic spots stop along the way, accompanied by English/Russian tour guides. If you need a Chinese tour guide, we can provide it for you. Participants in the one-day tour come from all over the world. They can make friends at will during their travels and improve their foreign language level.

Disadvantages: high cost. Take care of yourself with food and water.

Note: Participants in the one-day tour come from all over the world, so we should respect each other during the tour. Foreigners speak directly. When communicating with them, it is necessary to understand the national conditions and national character, so as to avoid unnecessary conflicts and destroy the mood of tourists.

Step 4 Go to road trip.

Of course, if you are a good driver and consider yourself an "old driver", you can also rent a car and drive by yourself. However, some sections of the military avenue are steep and tortuous, and need to pass through the narrow canyons in the mountains. It was once listed as one of the 40 most dangerous roads in the world. So we don't recommend anyone to drive to Kazbek.

Advantages: Time and activities are free. You can explore those inaccessible places according to your own wishes, arrange your time at your own pace, and choose the scenic spots you want to visit.

Disadvantages: easy to get lost.

Matters needing attention: The prerequisite for road trip in Tbilisi is that Kazbek must have excellent driving skills and be familiar with road conditions. Otherwise, it is easy to encounter danger or you may get lost. Also, everyone must remember to buy insurance when traveling!