Cappadocia: Ride a hot air balloon between the chimneys of the immortals

Cappadocia looks like the surface of the moon kneaded by God. Five days and four nights, taking a hot air balloon among the strange rocks of Greme, flying over a fairy-tale Turkish morning light through underground cities and canyons.

The scene of hundreds of hot air balloons rising simultaneously over Graeme in the morning was an unforgettable scene in my life. When the balloons passed over the elven chimney—the spires shaped by volcanic rock—the morning sun stained the entire rock in rose gold, as if on an alien planet.

During the day, hike deep into the Valley of Roses and Valley of Love. The rock walls have been eroded into arches, mushrooms, and churches; Byzantine-era hermits carved countless cave churches into the soft rocks; though mottled, the frescoes remain captivating.

Visit underground cities (such as Kemakele), an eight-level underground city that can accommodate tens of thousands of people, featuring churches, stables, ventilation shafts, and stone mechanisms—a miraculous project for early Christians to escape persecution. Step inside and you'll experience depth and wisdom.

Stay one night at a cave hotel, with rooms carved from volcanic rock—warm in winter and cool in summer. The rooftop terrace is the best private seat for watching hot air balloons. In the evening, enjoy a bowl of clay pot beef in town, and the moment the pot is knocked open, the aroma fills the air.

The wonders of Cappadocia are another face of the Earth. When you look down on this wild yet gentle land from the clouds, you will believe the world is far more magical than you imagine. When you leave, the scent of the morning breeze lingers by your pillow.