Van - the Oriental Treasure of Anatolia

The ruins of the castle watch over the vicissitudes of time🏰 The banks of Lake Van flow with romantic poetry🌊 The ancient streets tell the echoes of history🛣️ The art gallery shines the light of civilization🎨 📍Detailed address Van is located in eastern Turkey, on the southeast shore of Lake Van. It is the capital city of Van Province in Türkiye, located on the eastern edge of the Anatolian Plateau. 🚘Transportation Guide ✈️Airplane: Van Airport has flights to and from major cities in Türkiye such as Istanbul and Ankara. It takes about 2 hours to fly directly from Istanbul to Van, which is convenient and fast. 🚕 Long-distance bus: Turkey has a well-developed long-distance bus network, with buses to Van from cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. Although it takes a long time, you can enjoy the diverse scenery of Türkiye's interior along the way, and the night bus can also save accommodation costs. 🚌City bus: The city buses cover the main areas and can go to most attractions. The fares are relatively affordable, usually around 3-5 liras. 🚖Taxi: Taxis are common in Van. The starting fare is about 10 liras, and then it is charged by mileage. However, it is best to confirm whether the meter is on before riding to avoid disputes. 🍽Food Recommendation 🍲Fan Lake Grilled Fish: Fan Lake is rich in fish, and the local grilled fish is a must-try. The freshly caught fish is marinated with unique spices and grilled over charcoal. The skin is golden and crispy, and the fish meat is tender and juicy. It is paired with the local vegetable salad, which is refreshing and delicious. 🍲Kebab platter: Turkish kebabs are world-famous, and Van is no exception. The barbecue platter includes a variety of meats such as roast lamb, roast chicken, roast beef, etc., served with flatbreads, French fries and various sauces to meet different taste buds. 🍲Fancheng cheese: It has a mellow taste and rich milk flavor. It is usually paired with some honey or olive oil. It can relieve greasiness and add a unique flavor. It is an indispensable drink on the local people's table. 🍲Turkish sweet shortbread: Pistachios, walnuts and other chopped nuts are wrapped in layers of shortbread, and then drizzled with sweet syrup. Take a bite and the sweet taste spreads in your mouth. It is a great choice to taste the Turkish dessert culture. 📸Must-see attractions 🎬Van Castle: Dating back to 2000 BC, this ancient castle stands on a hill in Van, overlooking the entire city and Lake Van. There are ancient city walls, towers and mosque ruins in the castle. You can feel the strong historical atmosphere while walking among them. 🎬Lake Van: The largest lake in Türkiye and one of the largest lakes in the Middle East. The lake is clear and blue, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful. You can take a boat trip to admire Akdamar Island in the lake. There is a well-preserved medieval church on the island with exquisite stone carvings that are breathtaking. 🎬Van Museum: The museum houses a large collection of cultural relics from the Neolithic Age to the Ottoman Empire, showing the long and rich history and culture of the Van area. It is a good place to learn about local history. 🏠Recommended attractions nearby 📍Ani Ancient City: About 150 kilometers from Van, it was once the capital of the Kingdom of Armenia in the Middle Ages. Although only ruins remain today, the numerous churches and palace ruins in the ancient city still allow people to imagine the prosperity of the past. The ancient city is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site and is a must-see for history lovers. 📍Surmale Waterfall: Located on the outskirts of Van, it is a natural wonder. The waterfall cascades down from a great height with great momentum, and is surrounded by green trees. It is a place to get close to nature, relax, and have a picnic nearby. ✨Play experience ✅Vancheng is a city that combines a long history with magnificent natural scenery. Here, you can explore the footprints of history in the ancient castles and museums and feel the precipitation of time. ✅Go boating on the blue waves of Lake Van and enjoy the picturesque scenery of lakes and mountains; taste local specialties and experience the unique food culture. ✅The surrounding ancient city of Ani and Surmale Waterfall add more surprises and fun to the journey. Whether you are interested in history and culture or want to get close to nature, Van can bring you an unforgettable trip, allowing you to immerse yourself in the unique charm of eastern Turkey and leave you with beautiful memories.