I went to Erciş for the simple reason that it was at the Van lake, not too far from my place of residence, which was Van. I knew much of the other side of the lake as well as the Ahlat region, and wanted to see what more there is. Well, not very much. I found the town pleasant enough for a stroll of some hours, but then did not mind to return. People were very anxious to have their picture taken, were kind and talkative, and traces of the earthquake less than a year earlier were visible all over town. On my way into town I saw a türbe of Seljuk design, but it did not strike me as special enough to make the trip and see it. Another one seems to be at the other side of town, maybe that was better, but again, I decided against visiting it.