So you're in Baku and wondering where to go next? Most likely, you will be led to the famous burning mountain called Yanar Dag. Not quite far from the city center, taking public transportation to Yanar Dag is straightforward. If you're wondering how to do it, you've come to the right place.
What is Yanar Dag?
Yanar Dag is the famous burning mountain in Azerbaijan. Do not be confused with the Darvaza Gas Crater commonly known as Door to Hell in Turkmenistan. These two are in two different countries and we will only focus on Yanar Dag.
According to the old stories during the 1950s, the fire was caused by a small accident. A shepherd accidentally lit a cigarette and threw the cigarette butt on the hill which caused the fire. Unfortunately, no one knows that the fire will not be extinguished anymore, hence the actual fire that we see today.
If you're expecting a full mountain burning, I hate to tell you but it's not like that though. The truth is, the actual fire is small. But don't back out yet, as visiting the Yanar Dag is not only a tourist destination but a way to see the other part of the area.
How to go to Yanar Dag by Public Transportation:
- Take the metro (train) up to Koroğlu Metro Station.
- From Koroğlu Metro Station, follow the signs that will lead you to nearby villages. I forgot the exact term but you should head to the exit where the buses are going outside the city and not within the city. You will know that you are on the right track if you exit from the GLASS PYRAMID BUILDING. If not, you have to go to the other side using the underpass.
- Once you exit from the glass pyramid building, take BUS #217 and this will bring you to Yanar Dag. It gets full but based on our experience, take this bus no matter what. I don't know the frequency of the bus schedule so just take it, it will get cramped along the way anyway! 🤣
- Enjoy the ride on Bus #217 up to the LAST STOP which is the Yanar Dag.
How to go back? Just go back to the parking where you got off the bus. The same bus number stops at that spot and waits for passengers to go back to Koroğlu Metro Station.
Costs:
- Metro Fare from any station up to Koroğlu Metro Station: 0.30 AZN (equivalent is 0.65 AED/0.18 USD)
- Bus Fare from Koroğlu Metro Station to Yanar Dag: 0.40 AZN (the equivalent is 0.86 AED/0.24 USD)
- Entrance Fee: 9 AZN (equivalent is 19.45 AED/5.3 USD)
Apart from these costs, you don't need to pay anything while at Yanar Dag.
Public Transportation Experience:
Since this is not a luxury or modern bus, embrace yourself for the fresh air (and maybe some dust) along the way. On your way, the landscape view will change gradually. From the view of the city with its charming buildings, it will then change to Zabray highway where the buildings will start to get less. Your next view will be the village houses, small retail stores, farmlands, and lots of sheep!
The journey to Yanar Dag by public transportation takes around 30-45 minutes per way. The driver stops whenever there are passengers along the way (no definite bus stops) and this is a factor of your travel time. The last stop is Yanar Dag, so don't get anxious like me, and just enjoy the ride until you reach your destination!
Yanar Dag Vicinity:
There's quite a number to see in the vicinity apart from the burning mountain.
The highlight is of course the burning mountain and its life-sized structure. Everyone can come close to the fire at their own risk and there are seats in a small amphitheater style in front of it if you just want to watch it from afar.
As we walked further along the mountain, we had a panoramic view of the nearby villages. Beyond the dry riverbed were villages, residential and commercial buildings, and buildings that probably looked like small factories.
Yanar Dag Experience
Despite our very short visit here, I enjoyed spending the afternoon in the vicinity. Here lies a natural wonder as an effect of the country's abundant resource of gas.
Apart from that, we get to see the interact with the locals while on the bus as well as while exploring the Yanar Dag vicinity. A father with his daughter even asked me for a picture! I felt like a celebrity for a moment there! Haha!
I also met the playful but limping dog who played with me (well, my pants). and taking photos! Look at how I was trying to get a decent photo in front of the actual fire but she kept on clinging onto me!
As suggested by others, we should spend time here during sunset but we didn't. We left Yanar Dag a few minutes before sunset time because we didn't want to reach Baku late. Anyhow, sunset or not, we enjoyed the place and maybe next time we'll stay for sunset!
There you go, going to Yanar Dag by Public Transportation is easy as 1,2,3 so don't miss it out if you have a chance!
Planning for your Caucasus itinerary? You can check my post: BACKPACKING THE CAUCASUS REGION!
