My Favorite City in the Three Visa-Free Countries of the Caucasus: Tbilisi
The Caucasus is the only region that offers visa-free entry to holders of the Chinese red passport 🇨🇳 for all its countries. Compared to the visa-free countries in the Balkans, I find the Caucasus more enjoyable to explore. It boasts rich historical and cultural heritage, strong local customs, and natural scenery comparable to Xinjiang, including large lakes, mountains, seas, grasslands, and deserts. You could say the Caucasus almost covers every type of landscape worth seeing. Over the past seven years, I have visited this region seven times. My favorite city is Tbilisi. Although it is less developed than Baku, it is much more fun to explore than the other two capitals, Baku and Yerevan.
Visa and Pre-Trip Preparation
· Visa: Chinese citizens holding a private passport can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 30 days.
· Currency: The local currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL), with 1 GEL ≈ 2.2 RMB. UnionPay cards are widely accepted, and you can withdraw cash from ATMs in the city.
· Language: The official language is Georgian, and English is commonly used in tourist areas.
Best Time to Travel
· April to June, September to October: Temperatures range from 15-25°C, ideal for hiking and wine tasting.
· July to August: Batumi on the Black Sea coast has temperatures between 25-30°C, perfect for seaside vacations.
· December to February: The Caucasus mountains are great for skiing, with especially stunning snowy church scenery.
Must-Visit Attractions
· Tbilisi: Attractions include the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Puppet Clock Tower, Narikala Fortress, and Freedom Square.
· Kazbegi: The Gergeti Holy Trinity Church is a cover-worthy scene for Lonely Planet, and the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument is perfect for shooting epic road trip photos.
· Sighnaghi: Features the Sighnaghi city walls, Bodbe Monastery, and Kakheti wineries, where you can experience traditional clay pot winemaking and tasting.
· Batumi: The Ali and Nino sculpture embraces and separates daily at 7:00 PM. The Black Sea coast is ideal for strolling and watching sunsets.
Food Recommendations
· Khachapuri: Georgia’s “national bread,” with the Adjarian boat-shaped version featuring a runny egg in the center, savory and rich.
· Khinkali: Beef dumplings with rich broth, more authentic in the mountain villages of Kazbegi.
· Lobio: Stewed beans, slow-cooked red kidney beans with onions, garlic, and herbs, refreshing and filling.
· Mtsvadi: Georgian-style barbecue, with pork, beef, or lamb chunks smoked over vine wood, crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
Transportation Tips
· Intercity Transport: Options include train, intercity bus, or car hire. The train from Tbilisi to Batumi is more comfortable; intercity buses are mostly privately operated and in poor condition, but you can choose vehicles from Geometro company; car hire is more flexible, but northern mountain roads are complex, so self-driving is not recommended.
· City Transport: Tbilisi and Batumi have relatively good bus systems. Tbilisi’s buses and metro require a transport card, which can be obtained at metro stations; taxis can be booked via the Bolt app.
Accommodation Recommendations
· Tbilisi: Recommended to stay in guesthouses in the Old Town, such as Fabrika Hostel, with average prices of 200-400 RMB per night, convenient for travel and offering a local atmosphere.
· Batumi: It’s best to choose seaside hotels like Rooms Hotel. Prices can double during peak season, and you can enjoy beautiful views of the Black Sea.