Things to do in Aspara

The most striking feature of the church is undoubtedly its pure gold-clad dome, dazzling in the sunlight and exuding a gentle solemnity when illuminated at night. It's worth noting that the church's construction was primarily funded by donations from ordinary citizens—it's not just a building, but a symbol of Georgians rediscovering their faith and solidifying their national identity after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This church, unlike any other in Europe, sits nestled among the hilltops. It's truly a journey of pious beauty. The century-old stone statues remain as fresh as ever. Practicing Taoism here offers a deeper sense of purpose.

On the way to Kazbekistan, almost everyone stops here. After crossing the bridge, Ananuri Fortress stands beside the reservoir at the bridgehead, looking from afar like a stone castle stranded in the middle of a lake. I stopped the car and took some photos from the bridge. As soon as I pressed the shutter, it suddenly dawned on me—wasn't this the same angle as on the cover of *Lonely Planet*? The same bridge railings, the same gray-white stone walls, the same blue-green water. So the "cover-style shot" mentioned in the travel guides was just an ordinary roadside spot, not at all pretentious. The reservoir behind the fortress is called Renvali Reservoir, surrounded by concentric circles of mountains, its water a medium-deep green. Standing atop the fortress, the view is indeed the best—the reservoir, the bridge, the mountains, and the winding mountain road in the distance, all spread out below. But getting up there wasn't so easy. The left entrance was blocked off. A local offered a small tip to enter from the right; the fee wasn't much, more like a "gateway fee" for this centuries-old fortress—payable by soldiers six hundred years ago, and by tourists six hundred years later. The internal staircase was narrow and the steps slippery. Every step was taken with extreme caution. My friend slipped while going down, so safety first. This view is best seen in photos :D

Georgia has a chronicle monument, which was built during the Soviet era and witnessed the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Many locals go to the Tbilisi Sea for vacation, swimming, and sunbathing. From the monument, you can see the Tbilisi Sea from a distance. It takes 12 minutes to walk from the monument to the beach.

The Pillar of Life Cathedral is located in the urban area of ​​Mtskheta, northwest of Tbilisi. It is also called the Svetitskhoveli Church. The church is one of the most sacred and magnificent churches in Georgia. It is also the second largest Christian holy place after the Jerusalem Church. It is famous for the blood cloak of Jesus and the pillars of early church buildings. The exterior of the cathedral is majestic and surrounded by a circle of walls. The interior decoration is gorgeous and delicate, with many exquisite murals and stickers. The architectural style has a dome and a cross-shaped plane. There are also tombs of several members of the Georgian royal family in the church, including the last two generations of Georgian kings.

It is a beautifully designed bridge which is lovely to walk over! And is covered in lights during the night :)

We drove along the Georgian Military Highway in July and stopped at Kazbek. The mountains are massive, the peak is covered in snow, and the green slopes below — it looks like a postcard. We hiked up to Gergeti Church, and the views from there are the best on the whole road. The climb on foot takes about an hour, and it's windy and chilly at the top even in summer, so a jacket is a must. It gets crowded, but it's worth it. If you're driving this road, definitely make a stop — you won't regret it.