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After the first day exploring the vibrant Kaleici old town and the bustling port of Antalya, the members of the Amazing Tour group, including the currently "hot" couple in showbiz, actor Binh An and Miss Vietnam 2018 first runner-up Bui Phuong Nga, two "hot travel bloggers" Hoang Le Giang and Ly Thanh Co, photographer Le The Thang, photographer Ngo Tran Hai An (Quy Coc Tu), YouTuber Ngo Huy Hoa (Hachi 8)... had the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of this land at the ancient city of Termessos - a place once called "The Eagle's Nest" by Alexander the Great and a place he constantly dreamed of conquering.
The theater in the ancient city of Termessos, seen from above. Photo: Le The Thang
The fortress is located on Mount Gulluk, now within the Gulluk National Park, and is built entirely of stone, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level.
To reach this place, one must travel to the national park by their own means of transport, as there are no local buses or services that go there. Starting from the national park's boundaries, the winding and steep mountain path is very difficult to navigate. From the scenic entrance fee (6 liara/person), a trek of 800m will lead to the theater, which is also the mountain's summit.
Scenery along the road to the ancient city of Termessos
Despite the light rain on the second day, coupled with cold and foggy mountain weather, these conditions seemed unable to deter the adventurous spirit. Upon reaching the summit, the entire group was amazed and delighted by the breathtaking view of the mountaintop shrouded in clouds, creating an incredibly ethereal scene.
Standing amidst the ruins of Termessos. Photo: Ly Thanh Co
Travel blogger Ly Thanh Co shared on his personal page: "There has never been a fortress as strange, as sturdy yet incredibly fragile, as Termessos in southern Turkey. The Termessos Theatre is like Turkey's Macchu Picchu, also ancient ruins next to a towering mountain. But the most interesting thing here is that this structure has not been excavated and remains completely in its dilapidated state."
Hot travel blogger Ly Thanh Co took photos on top of Gulluk mountain, where the ancient city of Termessos is located.
From above, you can see the entire magnificent landscape of Gulluk National Park.
Runner-up Phuong Nga expressed her excitement by updating a series of photos from Termessos on her personal page and sharing: "This is a place that few tourists visit because the road is winding and the weather is harsh, yet a group of Vietnamese people still managed to climb to the summit," which shows the special appeal of this destination. Even more interestingly, the tour guide shared that the 20 members of this Amazing Tour were the first Vietnamese group to set foot in Termessos, surprising everyone.
Runner-up Phuong Nga looked radiant and delighted as she checked in at the ancient city of Termessos.
Her boyfriend, actor Binh An, also didn't forget to take a picture at this special location.
Surrounded by pine forests, the citadel possesses a peaceful and pristine appearance, creating a distinct and impressive atmosphere unlike many other ancient cities. The scarcity of documented information about this site is also one of the factors that makes it even more mysterious and captivating.
The group members took a "super cool" photo at the ancient city of Termessos.
History does not record the exact date of this fortress's existence, nor does it know how the inhabitants began to live here and then disappeared. Today, only ruins remain, the most intact part being the city-state's theater.
Photo: Hachi8
Based on the size of the theater, it is estimated that the former city-state had approximately 60,000 citizens. A unique feature, besides the existence of the theater, is the water supply system that brought water from the river to the city. Currently, there is no specific information explaining the engineering method used to bring water from the river to a city at such a high altitude.
The Termessos Theatre is shrouded in fog. Photo: Hachi8
Legend has it that during its heyday, Termessos was known as an "impregnable" city thanks to its strategic location atop a mountain. It is believed the city was abandoned around 200 BC due to a devastating earthquake that cut off the water supply. Because of its turbulent history and rich cultural heritage, Termessos is considered one of Türkiye's best-preserved cities.
The ruined citadel marks a turbulent period in Antalya's history. Photo: Hachi8
And perhaps the heartfelt words of travel blogger Ly Thanh Co best conclude his experiences at the mysterious fortress of Termessos: "Those who come to Termessos are simply dancing on the ruins of the past, truly unaware of the stories, because even historians don't know them. All that is known is that Alexander the Great had to yield to Termessos, even though he never lost a battle from Macedonia to India. It's strange for such a small but towering fortress."
Stay tuned for more articles about our exciting Amazing Tour in Türkiye on Travellive or our official fanpage.Amazing TourOkay!
AMAZING TOUR 04
Amazing Tour 04, themed “Türkiye – A Legend Come True,” was initiated by Travellive magazine and sponsored by Nokia and Turkish Airlines. Beginning in 2013, Travellive launched the Amazing Tour program and collaborated with national tourism boards to promote destinations such as “Busan - Ulsan - Jeju, South Korea,” “Sabah – Land of Wind,” and “Manila and Cebu, Philippines.”
This trip will take 20 members through the ancient town of Antalya, the ruined city of Termesso, the ancient village of Sille, overnight stays in cave hotels in Cappadocia, the Underground Cistern, cruises on the Bosphorus Strait, admire blooming tulips, and stroll through the world-famous Grand Bazaar…
Find out and follow information about the trip to Türkiye on our fanpage:Amazing Tour
Following the conclusion of Amazing Tour 4, there will be an exhibition on Turkish tourism information from May 3rd to 5th at Saigon Center (Ho Chi Minh City) and the release of a travel photo book about the "land of magic carpets".
