Hi guys~ Today's post is about things to do in Ankara, Turkey. As many of you already knew, Ankara is the capital of Turkey and we actually visit this place on the second day of the trip. Although just a one-day trip we still enjoy this province. Furthermore, Lake Tuz (the popular pink lake) is here in Ankara~ Thus, you better don't miss this post.
About Ankara
Ankara, Turkey's cosmopolitan capital, sits in the country's central Anatolia region. It's a centre for the performing arts, home to the State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and several national theatre companies. Overlooking the city is Anitkabir, the enormous hilltop mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, modern Turkey's first president, who declared Ankara the capital in 1923.
Attractions
Lake Tuz (Salt Lake)
Lake Tuz (Salt Lake) is an incredible salt lake near Aksaray but just an hour's drive away from Cappadocia. The lake is remarkable because of its vibrant pink colour.
Undoubtedly, Lake Tuz is a must-visit destination as it is not only the largest salt lake in Turkey but also one of the largest salt lakes in the world. However, there isn't much to do there. One cannot swim in a lake with extremely shallow water and a massive amount of salt.
During the hot weather, the algae in the water mix with the salts to turn the lake pink. It's as simple as that. Most pink lakes don't stay pink permanently, they change colour all the time mostly from a lilac to a bright bubblegum pink colour throughout the day and at certain times of the year.
To be honest, this photo shows the realness of the pink salt. The photos above were just after I edited them. The pink salt is not that vibrant actually. That moment we went was spring season. They said the pink colour will be more vibrant during summer.
Ataturk Mausoleum (Anitkabir)
Anitkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and the first President of the Republic of Turkey.
You enter the tomb complex between two square kiosks and several stylized statues. The kiosk on the right shelters a model of the Anitkabir complex and photos taken during its construction.
As you climb the monumental staircase to enter, note the inscriptions in gold on either side, excerpts from Ataturk's speech given on the 10th anniversary (1932) of the republic's proclamation.
The huge hall, lined in red marble, has simple mosaic decorations recalling the many ages and civilizations of Anatolia : Hittite, Hellenic, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman.
Approaching Anikabir from Tandogan Square, a driveway through the Park will bring you a set of stairs. Ascending the stairs you are greeted by the Independence and Freedom Towers, two of the ten towers symbolizing the existence and high ideals of the Turkish nation and state.
Once I arrived, those local kids are so cute! They all look so happy when they spotted me. They keep waving at me and shouting "konnichiwa" at me. Lol. I guess they misunderstand I'm Japanese. Although I had explained to them I'm a Malaysian but still, they are happy and keep chit-chatting with me.
My mom spotted this lovely moment and took this behind the scene photo. My mom is really good at taking candid photos hahaha.
Details
Location : Yücetepe, Akdeniz Cd. No:31, 06570 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey.
Business hours : Daily (9.00am - 5.00pm) ; Lunch break (12.00pm - 1.00pm)
Food
Apple Tea
One thing that I drank almost daily was Turkish apple tea. Apple tea is very specific and different to any tea to have in your country. It is based on regular black tea but they add apple flavouring and sometimes even blackberry leaves, hibiscus, pineapple and lemon to it, which produces a unique fruit-flavoured drink.
Guess what~ Only one more Turkey blog post has left which is Canakkale! I can't wait to share it with you guys soonest! Stay tuned on my blog.
Travel Vlog
( Subscribe to my YouTube Channel : TheShinilola )
Turkey Travelogues
- Things to do in Istanbul : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/09/things-to-do-in-istanbul-turkey.html
- Things to do in Cappadocia : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/10/things-to-do-in-cappadocia-turkey.html
- Thing to do in Izmir and Kusadasi : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/10/things-to-do-in-izmir-and-kusadasi.html
- Things to do in Pamukkale : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/10/things-to-do-in-pamukkale-turkey.html
- Things to do in Canakkale : https://www.shinilola.com/2022/11/things-to-do-in-canakkale-turkey.html
#ShiniInTurkey
For more photos, kindly search hashtag #ShiniInTurkey or #ShiniInAnkara on Instagram. You may find more details on the personal experience there as well.
0 comments