Don’t just know Istanbul! A complete guide to Eskisehir, Türkiye

Don’t just know Istanbul! A complete guide to Eskisehir, Türkiye As an in-depth travel enthusiast, I can say responsibly that Eskisehir is definitely a stop that cannot be missed when traveling to Türkiye. This city located in northwestern Türkiye has a unique charm. It retains its ancient historical charm while being full of modern vitality. Now, follow my steps and explore Eskişehir! 1. Itinerary planning The recommended travel time is 3-5 days. - Day 1: Arrive in Eskisehir, check in at the hotel, take a short rest and then go to the city center to feel the local atmosphere and taste the local food. - Day 2: Visit Odunpazarı Historic District, where there are many well-preserved Ottoman-era houses. Walking among them, it feels like traveling through time. You can also visit the Odunpazarı Modern Museum, which was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The building itself is a work of art and houses a large collection of contemporary art. - Day 3: Go to Porsuk River, take a leisurely walk along the river bank, enjoy the riverside scenery, or take a gondola cruise and enjoy a relaxing time. Then go to Sazova Park, which has a fairy-tale castle, a zoo, an aquarium, etc. It is suitable for the whole family to play and is full of joy and childlike fun. - Day 4: If you have enough time, you can take a day trip to Sivrihisar to visit the Ulu Cami, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. It was built in 1231 and uses 67 wooden columns with different shapes of column heads and column bases. The exterior walls are made of square stones. The relief on the door is a typical Seljuk decorative style. The Seljuk Kundkari decorative patterns on the wooden pulpit are rare. - Day 5: Shopping, free time, and prepare to return. 2. Transportation Guide External transportation: You can first arrive in Istanbul or Ankara, Turkey, and then take a long-distance bus or train to Eskişehir. It takes about 4-5 hours by bus from Istanbul, and a little longer by train but with nice scenery along the way; it is faster from Ankara, with a bus ride of about 2-3 hours. Internal Transportation: Eskişehir has very convenient transportation, with a well-developed network of trams, buses and taxis. Trams can take you to the city's main attractions, buses have a wider coverage and taxis are reasonably priced. In addition, there are gondolas and river boats on the Pousuk River, which provide a unique experience for touring the city. 3. Food Recommendations cig börek: This is a fried pastry filled with minced meat. The outer skin is crispy and the inner filling is fresh and fragrant. One bite will give you a full sense of happiness. Mihlama: A local specialty, cheese and polenta, with a perfect blend of rich cheese aroma and soft polenta, giving it a mellow taste. Met helvası: A sweet sesame paste dessert with a delicate taste, sweet but not greasy, it is an excellent choice for dessert after a meal. Pickle juice: Turks drink pickle juice as a beverage. There are many kinds of pickles here. Pickle juice is cool and refreshing, and it is said to be good for health. You may want to give it a try. 4. Accommodation suggestions Hotels in the city center: convenient transportation, many restaurants and shopping places nearby, and convenient travel. Posuk Riverside Hotel: You can enjoy the beautiful river view and it is pleasant to walk along the river at night, but the price may be relatively high. 5. Notes Language: The main local language is Turkish, but English can also be used in some tourist attractions and hotels. You can download some translation software in case of emergency. Religion and Culture: Türkiye is an Islamic country. When visiting a mosque, you must dress appropriately, take off your shoes when entering, and women must cover their heads with a headscarf. Don't take photos of soldiers or police officers in uniform without asking for permission. When friends meet, they kiss each other on the cheeks first. If they are not familiar with each other, they shake hands. Remember to take off your shoes when visiting someone's home. Others: Many hotels do not provide toiletries, so remember to bring your own. The local voltage is 230V, and the plug is a two-cornered round plug. You need to bring a German standard conversion plug. The toilets on the street charge a fee, so be prepared with change.