Cultural exchanges, e-visas and reality show put Turkish travel on map for China, Yang Feiyue reports.

Bilateral exchanges, easier visa applications and a popular Chinese reality show are putting Turkey on the map for Chinese tourists.

The number of Chinese visitors to Turkey increased to more than 100,000 in the first five months of this year, an increase of 48 percent from the same period a year earlier, said Fuat Tayfun Sener, cultural affairs and tourism section counselor of the Turkish embassy in China.

Roughly 200,000 Chinese visited Turkey in 2014, up 43 percent from the previous year.

Bilateral exchange "has created no doubt extraordinary good effects on the tourism demand from China to Turkey in the year 2014," Sener said.

In 2012, "Chinese Cultural Year in Turkey" successfully showcased the Chinese culture to Turkish audiences.

The following year, hundreds of Turkish artists from fields including drama, film, ballet, folk dance, handicrafts, modern art, traditional and classical music, visited China to present Turkey's historical culture and contemporary art, during the "Turkish Cultural Year in China" program.

"The exchange of cultural years by Turkey and China was a great opportunity to learn from each other, to deepen the bilateral relationship and to enhance the understanding between people (on both sides)," Sener said.

Travel agencies have seen a rising popularity of Turkey with Chinese tourists, especially after Turkey offered e-visa applications and the popular Chinese reality show Sisters Over Flowers featured Turkey earlier this year.

"The Chinese market really opened in April after the e-visa policy was offered," said Dou Liqiong, general manager of Turkey-based Crystal DMC Tour's Beijing office.

Dou's company processed approximately 40,000 Chinese tourists during the first six months of this year, nearly double that of the same period last year.

"Chinese tourists have accounted for 80 percent of foreign tourists in Turkey during the recent three months," Dou said.

China's biggest online travel agency, Ctrip, also reported more than doubled growth in the number of Chinese tourists heading to Turkey in the same period.

The e-visa policy began in March and allows Chinese tourists to apply for visas online.

"The whole process takes only three-to-five minutes, and costs stand at $60.70," Dou said.

Before the e-visa policy, it took two weeks to obtain a travel visa for Turkey.

The Sisters Over Flowers reality show broadcast in March also increased Chinese tourism to Turkey.

"Many Chinese didn't know how beautiful Turkey was before the show," Dou said.

The show displayed Turkey's major scenic spots and cities, such as Cappadocia, where hot-air balloon experiences are offered, and Kapadokya's lunar-like landscapes, she said.

Main destinations

Istanbul is the main destination for Chinese visitors with its charming attractions from a range of ancient cultures, the Turkey authority said. The city houses important structures of the Christian and Islamic religions, such as St Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

"It is a perfect combination of modern and ancient civilization and shouldn't be missed," Dou said.

Cappadocia is popular for its natural cave structures and underground cities.

"Chinese people like to take balloon trips over the huge Capadoccian valley," Sener said.

Izmir and Antalya are popular with those on holiday for their sea, sun and sand, as well as an abundance of archaeological sites.

Antalya province boasts rich golf tourism potential with convenient golf facilities in the Belek township.

At present, travel to Turkey is convenient, according industry insiders.

Nonstop flights run by Turkish Airlines are available from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Istanbul, with average flight times of 11.5 hours.

China Southern Airlines also offers flights from Urumqi to Istanbul.

At the moment, Dou's company offers a 10-day trip to Turkey that costs about 13,000-14,000 yuan ($2,095-$2,255). The package includes accommodation at five-star hotels.

Best time to visit

The best time to travel in Turkey is from April to October.

Turkey is surrounded by sea on three sides, so does not get too cold in winter as the temperature is generally above zero, Dou explained.

The most comfortable periods are April-May and September-October. Temperatures peak in the June-August period, when sea activities, such as rafting, are popular.

Snow-covered landscapes and hot springs are favorites from November through March.

Turkey's sheepskin clothing, jewelry and rugs are popular shopping items.

"The leather clothing can be as thin as silk, while the rugs are mostly handmade and delicate," Dou said.

Turkey is a Muslim country, and therefore non-Muslim food is frowned upon. Women should wear clothes that do not show too much skin, especially when entering local mosques.

Contact the writer through yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/30/2015 page7)