NEVSEHIR, Türkiye, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Before sunrise, thousands of spectators gathered across the ridges and valleys of Cappadocia, in central Türkiye, waiting in near silence as giant balloons slowly came to life.
Within minutes, bursts of flame illuminated the darkness, and a dazzling procession of colorful aircraft began drifting above the region's fairy chimneys, turning one of the world's most iconic landscapes into an open-air spectacle.
For the visitors eager to experience the charm of Türkiye, the seventh Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Festival, or BalonFest, held from Friday through Sunday, is an experience not to be missed.
Among the highlights of this year's festival were dozens of special-shaped balloons from around 20 countries, including giant parrots, wolves, rockets and a horse-shaped balloon marking China's Year of the Horse.
"Cappadocia is known as the 'Land of Beautiful Horses,' so this year creates a special connection with China," Halis Aydogan, a veteran hot-air balloon pilot and owner of a local balloon company, told Xinhua.
For tourism operators, the festival is about far more than colorful skies. It has also become a showcase for one of Türkiye's fastest-growing inbound tourism markets: China.
"Cappadocia is already world-famous for hot air ballooning," Aydogan said. "Every day we have 156 balloons flying over Cappadocia. Last year around 750,000 people experienced balloon flights here."
Zhao Qiuchen and Zheng Yueran, a Chinese couple living in Britain, chose Cappadocia as the destination for a romantic getaway.
"This is the first time we have seen so many balloons in the sky," Zhao said. "The balloons in Cappadocia are definitely the highlight of our trip, and we feel so lucky to witness such stunning scenery."
According to Aydogan, more than 300,000 Chinese tourists visited the region in 2018 and 2019, with hot-air balloon rides ranked by many as a "must-do" experience.
"The visa exemption is a very positive step," he said, referring to Türkiye's decision earlier this year to allow Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports to enter the country visa-free for up to 90 days.
Beyond its iconic sunrise balloon rides, Cappadocia is expanding its appeal among Chinese travelers by offering romantic settings for weddings, honeymoons and pre-wedding photography. Meanwhile, improved air connectivity between China and Türkiye is making it easier for more Chinese tourists to visit.
"Chinese friends are our largest international visitor group in Cappadocia, and they are extremely important for us," said Cem Aslanbay, Cappadocia area director representing Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. "Earlier this year we organized special Year of the Horse celebrations so they could feel at home here, and we are planning another event around September or October."
As the sun climbed above the horizon, Cappadocia's skies were transformed into a canvas of color, drawing more visitors to marvel at the breathtaking scene.
Among them was Jiang Shuo, a visitor from Beijing, who had arrived before dawn to witness the spectacle. He said the experience here had exceeded all his expectations.
"It makes life feel worth living," Jiang said. "The unique landscape, together with the hot-air balloons, makes it feel like a fairyland." ■