[2025 Tmogvi Attraction] Travel Guide for Vardzia (Updated Feb)

Darlings, how do you have fun in the Caucasus Three Kingdoms? This 12-day travel guide will take you to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia! Super practical guide, take a quick look! / The three Caucasus countries are hidden to the north of Iran, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. This place has a profound historical heritage and unique regional style. It has 🏔️ snow-capped mountains, 🏰 ancient castles and 🏛️ ancient churches. It is known as the back garden forgotten by God. / 🛣️Route suggestions DAY1-DAY2: Depart from and arrive in Urumqi, and transfer to Baku, Azerbaijan. Visit the Flame Towers, the Seaside Boulevard and other places to experience the historical and cultural charm of Baku. DAY3-DAY4: Depart from Baku, visit the ancient sites of Shamakhi and Sheki, and then go to Tbilisi, tasting wine, visiting monasteries and the town of Love on the way. DAY5-DAY6: Explore Stonehenge and the Cathedral in Tbilisi, then head to Gudauri, Gori, Kutaisi, and visit the Stalin Museum, Uplis Rock City, etc. DAY7-DAY8: Head to Batumi to admire the cathedral, statues and seaside views, then head to Akhaltsikhe to explore the Vardzia ruins and mineral water park. DAY9: From Akhaltsikhe to Yerevan, visit cathedrals, museums and archaeological sites to experience the history of Armenia. DAY10: Depart from Yerevan, travel around Lake Sevan, visit several monasteries and temples, and appreciate the natural and religious scenery of Armenia. DAY11: Return to Tbilisi, visit the cathedral, underground printing house, take the old town cable car and overlook the panoramic view of the city. DAY12: Depart from Urumqi and return home, ending this unforgettable journey to the three Caucasus countries. 🛫 / Travel tips: 🛫 Airport transportation: Check the transportation options between the three countries in advance. Buses or trains are more economical. 💶 Currency exchange rate: Armenian Dram is about 54:1 RMB, Georgian Lari is about 1:2.7, remember to convert in advance! 🍽️ Food check-in: Caucasian pizza, chickpea dumplings, and Azerbaijan's Lavanji, don't miss it! 📌 Visa information: The three Caucasus countries need to apply for visas in advance, prepare relevant materials, and travel easily~ / Every step of the journey to the three Caucasus countries is a beautiful sight. Don’t forget to use your camera to capture these rare and beautiful moments! 🌟

|City Walks. Hello! Here's a carefully curated 13-day travel guide to the Caucasus! It contains all the travel tips you need to know, so check it out! -------- 🎉🌍Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in Tbilisi and start your charming journey. Day 2-Day 3: Visit Khareba Winery🥂, Sighnaghi City Wall, and Bodbe Monastery. Experience the Cathedral of the Living Pillar, Jvari Monastery, and the Georgian Military Road. Admire the Aragvi River Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress. Enjoy the Kazbek Mountains⛰️ and Stepantsminda from a jeep. Visit the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument🪦 and more. Day 4-Day 5: Visit Stalin's House and Stalin Museum to experience history. Stroll through Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery. Enjoy the waves of the Black Sea🌊, a heartwarming afternoon tea at Ali and Nino💯, and the local customs. Day 6-Day 7: Visit the Mineral Water Park, Rabati Castle, and Vardzia to enjoy the beauty of history. Enjoy the natural scenery and cultural atmosphere of Sevanavank and Yerevan. Day 8-Day 9: Visit Garni Temple, experience farm life, taste the wine of Ararat Winery🍷, and immerse yourself in the history of the Armenian Genocide Museum. Stroll along the pedestrian street🌲, rest at the Cascade, and enjoy a cultural and artistic performance of ballet👣. Day 10-Day 13: Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral📸, Old Town, Bridge of Peace, and Mother of Georgia💗 to learn about history. Admire the beauty of the Chronicle of Georgia🪦. Stroll between the Maiden Tower and Palace of the Shirvanshahs in Baku. Visit Highland Park, look west to the Flame Towers🔥, and admire the Heydar Aliyev Center and Ateshgah. Return to Urumqi and end your wonderful journey to the Caucasus. -------- Some tips: 1. Food🍴: Don't miss the local delicacies of the three countries: Georgian cheese bread, Armenian barbecue, and Azerbaijani plov. They have unique flavors and are worth a try. 2. Visa information📝: Chinese citizens need a visa to visit the Caucasus, so remember to prepare before departure. 3. Airport transportation🚕: You can take public transportation or a taxi from the airport to the city. If you have a lot of luggage, a taxi is more convenient. 4. January weather☃️: January is winter, and the temperature in the Caucasus is about -6°C to 6°C. Remember to bring warm clothes and rain and snow protection. -------- That's it. The beautiful journey to the Caucasus is really unforgettable! 😊 I hope my sharing is helpful to you~😉

I came to Akhaltsikhe just for Vardzia. ❤ Recommended reason: Vardzia is located 60 km southeast of Akhaltsikhe, on the left bank of the upper Kura River, on the eastern slope of a small mountain, and is a group of man-made caves. 👍 Most recommended: In the 12th century, King George III of Georgia built a castle here, and soon the greatest Queen Tamar of Georgia built a large monastery. Since then, it has become a religious center. After several wars, in 1551, the Georgian army was defeated by the Persians, and the Persian army looted and destroyed the place, leading to its decline. However, the cave churches, rooms, tunnels, and other relics are still there, and a number of exquisite murals have been preserved. 🌟 Highlights: Especially the images of George III and Queen Tamar. However, because of tomorrow's parliamentary election, today is a day off, and the scenic area is not open, so I can only look at the ruins from the foot of the mountain. The caves on the whole mountain show the grandeur of the ruins.

Just returned from an amazing visit to the Vardzia Stone City in Georgia, and it was absolutely fascinating! 🏞️ The entrance fee was about 15 GEL (around $5 USD), which is quite affordable for the incredible experience. Carved into the cliffs of the Erusheti Mountain, this ancient cave monastery complex is a marvel of medieval engineering. Exploring the winding tunnels and hidden rooms was like stepping back in time. The main highlight was the Church of the Dormition with its beautiful frescoes. The panoramic views of the Mtkvari River valley from the cave openings were breathtaking. 🌄 Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as there’s quite a bit of climbing and uneven ground. Nearby, the town of Aspindza offers a glimpse of local life and some nice spots to grab a bite. You can also visit the Khertvisi Fortress, which is just a short drive away and adds to the historical adventure. If you have time, the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is perfect for hiking and enjoying Georgia’s natural beauty. Vardzia is a must-see for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike! #Vardzia #Georgia #AncientHistory #TravelAdventure 🏞️🇬🇪

Vardzia is both enchanting and shocking. The original Vardzia was almost completely hidden within the rocks, a cave city connected by internal passages. A strong earthquake in the 13th century caused the mountain to fracture, and the external rock layer fell off, so the Vardzia we see now appears to be carved along the mountain. ✏ The tour of Vardzia is a one-way route, and my own favorite part is walking out of the tunnel behind the monastery to reach a higher level of the mountain, where the sudden expanse of the view brings a strong visual impact. The monastery is the most important part to visit, inside there are murals depicting Queen Tamar, who is also featured on the Georgian fifty lari banknote. 💰 The entrance fee is 15 lari, and the shuttle minibus is 2 lari (a short serpentine mountain road, it's fine to walk if you're not in a hurry) 🚗 Transportation, there are minibuses to and from Vardzia from Akhaltsikhe. I took the one that left at 12 o'clock and arrived at the scenic area at 1:30 pm, with the last bus back at 3 pm. The one-way fare is 8 lari.