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Beneath a sky illuminated by synchronized drones and hot air balloons, Cappadocia has launched a year-long celebration of the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse in 2026, a region historically known as the “Land of Beautiful Horses.”
The opening ceremony in Goreme gathered officials, artists, and international visitors in a program aimed at strengthening ties between Türkiye and China.
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi said Türkiye welcomed nearly 64 million visitors last year, generating $65.2 billion in tourism revenue, with a target of $68 billion by 2026.
He identified China as a priority market, noting that more than 425,000 Chinese tourists visited Türkiye in 2024 and that authorities aim to increase that number to one million in the medium term through expanded air connections and visa-free travel arrangements.
China’s Ambassador to Ankara, Jiang Xuebin, stated that bilateral relations continue to advance under the leadership of Xi Jinping and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the role of cultural exchange in strengthening cooperation.
Nevsehir Governor Ali Fidan reported that Chinese visitor numbers to Cappadocia have risen significantly, increasing from 26,000 in 2023 to 115,000 last year.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by Member of Parliament Filiz Kilic, Nevsehir Mayor Rasim Ari, and Cappadocia Site Director Aydin Cem Aslanbay, followed by a live performance from Chinese artist Ma Tianyi that set a celebratory tone for the event.
Officials said equestrian shows, themed festivals, cultural exhibitions, and special tourism programs will continue throughout the year, accompanied by large-scale visual performances across the region’s iconic landscape.
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