(Minghui.org) The Cappadocia region in central Turkey is one of the nation’s historic cultural hubs. Entire towns and underground cities are built into the soft volcanic rock. Above ground, the famous “fairy chimneys” carved by erosion form stunning silhouettes across vast landscapes. Colorful hot air balloons, a hallmark of this region, not only provide tourists with a relaxing sightseeing experience, they also attract photography enthusiasts who come to record the beautiful scenery.

Falun Dafa practitioners from Turkey gathered in Nevşehir, a city in this tourist region on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and held a class to teach the exercises. They also held an informational event about Falun Dafa the week prior, on July 27, in a beach area of Istanbul.

Tourists and locals from different regions were introduced to the Falun Dafa exercises, and many attendees said learning the exercises added a highlight to their holiday.

Local Residents Help Organize Activities to Introduce Falun Dafa

The city of Nevşehir was founded almost 4,000 years ago by the Hittites. Today, it remains a popular tourist site, especially in the summer months.

A practitioner who worked at a local hotel had the idea to host exercise classes in front of Uchisar Castle. Before the event took place on August 1, several local residents helped her prepare for the class.

One local, who worked in the tourism business, loaned the practitioner a car so she could move supplies, and local shopkeepers helped her put up posters for the class. At the hotel, one guest even helped the practitioner set up exercise mats. The day before the class, hotel staff and employees from neighboring hotels also came to learn the exercises at the practitioner’s workplace. A manager from another hotel said he would ask his employees to spread the news about Falun Dafa.

Hotel employees learned the Falun Dafa exercises. (Minghui.org)

People Experience Tranquility While Doing the Exercises

Many of the class participants were on holiday and wanted to learn a different type of meditation. Some said that doing the exercises helped them relax, and brought a peaceful experience to their holiday.

People learned the Falun Dafa exercises in front of the Uchisar Castle in the Cappadocia region. (Minghui.org)

Monica, from Poland, now lives in London, and works in the fast-paced field of financial investment. She was interested in the classes held by practitioners and helped them set up before the event. After trying out the exercises, she said she felt extremely “relaxed” yet “conscious.”

“[Before the exercises,] so many things were going through my head, I was thinking a lot,” she said. “But when I sat down and meditated, everything stopped. I was really able to focus myself here, on myself. It was very relaxing. I felt peaceful.”

Monica said she felt relaxed and peaceful while doing the exercises. (Minghui.org)

Leyla, an English teacher from Iran, learned the first and fifth set of the exercises. She said that although she had to keep her eyes open to learn the exercises, she still felt “very comfortable,” and said she enjoyed meditating with the practitioners. “It was beautiful that it was sunset. It was lovely to be here,” she said.

Ayşe Gündüz, a local resident, said that doing the Falun Dafa exercises made her body feel light. (Minghui.org)

Ayşe Gündüz was born and grew up in Cappadocia. She even ran as a candidate for village head. She said that doing the Falun Dafa exercises made her feel light. “I felt like I was flying in the air. I emptied my soul, my inner self. I relaxed. I forgot everything inside me.” She was fascinated by the principles taught by Falun Dafa—Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. She kept reciting the principles to make sure she could remember them.

Monica, a retired teacher from Ireland, said that doing the exercises was an amazing experience. (Minghui.org)

A retired teacher from Ireland, Monica, has lived in Cappadocia for eighteen months. She learned the four standing exercises of Falun Dafa. She was a little hesitant to join everyone at first as she felt “shy,” but when she actually started doing the exercises, she found that she forgot about the people around her. “It really happened. I didn’t think about the people around me at all,” she said. “So, [the exercises] really helped to clear my mind of everything outside. It was beautiful. It was a beautiful meditation.

“In this way, you completely clear your mind of all your worries. I think that’s why it works,” added Monica.

Information Session at Sinanoba Beach

The practitioners held an information session at Sinanoba Beach, a summer resort area in Istanbul, on July 27, 2026.

Passersby accepted brochures practitioners handed out, and learned about Falun Dafa. After they learned about the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners many people signed a petition condemning the persecution.

Practitioners held activities at Sinanoba Beach, a summer resort area, on July 27, 2026. (Minghui.org)

Those cycling along the beach waved their hands and rang their bicycle bells after seeing the display. Some residents strolling on the beach stopped to read the information, and some spoke with the practitioners and read the brochures about Falun Dafa.

Şendağ Gökçe, a practitioner who came from another city to participate in the event, said it was especially significant to her. “I grew up in this neighborhood. I did the exercises every week and handed out brochures on every street. People in this town often call me Falun Dafa. They often see me wearing my Falun Dafa t-shirt,” she said.

“It moved me deeply to see my fellow practitioners travel so far to tell people about Dafa,” she added.

She hopes that more people in Turkey and around the world can get to know the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, and support practitioners who are persecuted in China. “My heart is filled with courage and excitement,” said Gökçe.