Many people daydream about the soul-stirring beauty that the peculiar karst landforms radiate.

This is Cappadocia, which the American publication “National Geographic” listed as one of the “Top Ten Beautiful Views of the Earth” in 2008. The Persians called this city “Cappadocia,” which means “beautiful horse town,” since the Cappadocians honored the Persians with hardy horses and skilled gold and silver artisans as early as the Persian Empire period.

 

Three million years ago, the plateau around Naoussehir was covered with soft stones containing limestone, lava, ash, and mud from two enormous volcanic eruptions, Mount Erciyes (3916M) and Mount Hassan (3268M). This delicate rock formation is eroded by wind and rain, leaving behind conical and mushroom-shaped rocks in shades of red, gold, green, and grey as well as stunning surreal views that resemble tunnel-like canyons.

Cappadocia, often known as the “moon’s surface,” is currently another popular tourist destination in Turkey after Istanbul. Visitors shouldn’t miss the hot air balloon sightseeing project that has developed in the Grim area.