Tbilisi

A crossroads of the Caucasus, with sulfur baths, Narikala Fortress and a wooden-balconied Old Town, plus day trips to Mtskheta, the cave city and cave monasteries.

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, set in a valley on both banks of the Kura (Mtkvari) River at the southern foot of the Caucasus Mountains, with a population of about 1.2 million. It was founded in the 5th century because of its sulfur hot springs. The Old Town blends Georgian churches, Persian-style baths, mosques and 19th-century European architecture. The main areas are: the Old Town on the right bank (the sulfur bath district, Narikala Fortress, Sioni Cathedral, the Marionette Theatre clock tower); Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue (the National Museum, the opera house); Avlabari on the left bank (Metekhi Church, Holy Trinity Cathedral); and, to the north, Fabrika and the Dry Bridge Market, and in the western outskirts Turtle Lake and the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum. Day trips: the ancient capital of Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery, 20 km to the northwest; Gori and the Uplistsikhe cave town, about 80 km to the west; and David Gareja Monastery, about 70 km to the southeast. Kazbegi and the Kakheti wine region are covered as separate destinations. Climate: April–June and September–October are the most comfortable, July–August can reach 35°C, and winter is 0–8°C. Getting there: there are currently no direct flights from China, so most travelers connect via Urumqi, Istanbul or Dubai; city bus 37 runs from the airport into town. Chinese citizens can enter visa-free for 30 days. In the city, the metro and cable car both use the Metromoney card, and you can hail rides with Bolt. We recommend 3–4 days. Tips: women should cover their heads in churches, and men should not wear shorts; restaurants often add a 10% service charge; the Old Town's slopes are steep and the stones slippery, so wear non-slip shoes.

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