Turkmenistan is one of the few countries with extensive tourism potential, which has not yet been fully disclosed. The mysterious country, unlike its famous Asian neighbors, once followed its own special, authentic path. However, for anyone who wants to get to know Turkmenistan better, the country will open up completely new facets, the impression will be complemented by the historical and natural attractions of Turkmenistan. Large-scale historical actions unfolded on the lands of this country, entire civilizations developed and collapsed, which is why these regions are fraught with many historical secrets and interesting finds. This is a confirmation that there are many historical monuments, ancient buildings and other exciting, interesting places to see in Turkmenistan.
What to see in Turkmenistan first of all
Guests of Turkmenistan arrive in this state for different periods: someone is planning a large-scale trip and a close acquaintance with the customs and culture of the country, someone is looking for something to see in Turkmenistan in 1 day. Anyway, it will be useful for every tourist to find out what famous sights lurk in the rich lands of Turkmenistan in order to make up a rich travel itinerary.
1. The Karakum Desert
The landscape of the Karakum Desert by David Stanley
The rating is opened by the well-known Karakum Desert, which occupies most of the country’s territory. This is one of the largest deserts in the world, a whole kingdom of sand and drought. The climate here is harsh, the inter-seasonal temperature difference is more than 90 degrees, but surprisingly, about one seventh of the population still lives in Karakum, adapting to the inhospitable desert conditions.
2. The ancient city of Nisa
Ruins of the ancient city of Nisa David Stanley
Just a few kilometers from Ashgabat, guides in Turkmenistan will take you through the famous ruins of the ancient city of Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian state, which existed at the turn of millennia BC and our era. Once upon a time, a lot of palace and temple buildings were concentrated in the old part of the city, as well as a treasury, warehouses with huge stocks of wine and provisions. The walls of the fortresses were built conscientiously, their thickness was 8-9 meters, thanks to which the remains of ancient structures have survived to the present day.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
3. The ancient city of Merv
The ancient settlement of Merv Hergit
The review continues with the ancient city, whose history goes back even further into the millennia. This is the oldest city in Central Asia, Merv, built in the era of the Moorish civilization, at the junction of the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. It is also one of the largest archaeological sites in Central Asia, on the territory of which a number of ancient settlements have been preserved, according to which you can read the history of the legendary city from ancient times to the late Middle Ages.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
4. Dehistan
Dehistan is a historical region of Turkmenistan Laika ac
Among the amazing natural places that everyone should visit in Turkmenistan, the Dehistan plain, also called the Martian plain, is especially interesting. This name was given to her for a reason — now on this lifeless, arid, clay-covered land there is not a trace of the fertile lands on which agriculture was once successfully conducted, starting from the 2nd millennium BC. Today, all that the plain left to its descendants are the ruins of the ancient settlement of Misrian, but even they can be to judge how highly cultured and beautiful this ancient settlement was.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
5. Kunya-Urgench
Tyurabek Khanim Mausoleum in the Kunya-Urgench Architectural Reserve Dan Lundberg
Excursions in Turkmenistan often include a route to the historical and architectural reserve 500 kilometers north of Ashgabat. This is Kunya Urgench, a small town that cherishes the memory of majestic Urgench, the former capital of Khorezm. Trade caravans once passed through the town, and various crafts flourished. This city has endured a difficult test of time: it was besieged and destroyed twice, but bits of its history have still survived to this day: These are multiple mausoleums, minarets and fortresses from the Middle Ages.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
6. The Palace Collapses
Mass celebration in front of the Palace Collapses Kerri-Jo Stewart
The main attractions of Turkmenistan are briefly complemented by the palace for official events, located in Ashgabat — Rukhyet. The palace building, built not so long ago — in 1999, has advanced technical equipment and everything necessary for holding various ceremonies at a high international level. Meetings, congresses, forums, inaugurations, as well as informal events such as exhibitions, concerts and other celebrations are held here.
7. Ertogrulgazy Mosque
Portico of the Ertogrulgaza Mosque by David Stanley
Once in Ashgabat, you will certainly find somewhere to go in Turkmenistan, in addition to the aforementioned palace. For example, the largest mosque in the city is called Ertogrulgazy. It is also one of the most beautiful mosques in the city, decorated in a traditional Ottoman style. A beautiful marble road leads to the gates of the mosque, flanked by fountain bowls in the form of halves of 8-terminal stars. The size and design of its courtyard are impressive, the luxurious painting of the domes inside the temple and the spacious inner hall, where up to 5 thousand worshippers can be at the same time.
8. Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan
Formidable statues of warriors at the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan Dan Lundberg
The most important state landmark and the tallest building in Turkmenistan is the Independence Monument, located in Ashgabat in the Independence National Park. Its height is 118 meters, and at the base there is a hemispherical dome, on the surface of which the waters of fountains flow, the nozzles of which are laid directly in its walls. Through one of the five entrances you can get inside the monument, where the museum is located.
9. Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque
View of the fountains and the “Turkmenbashi Spirit Mosque” by David Stanley
The largest single—domed mosque in Central Asia, according to reviews, impresses with its size – its area is about 18 thousand square meters, and the inner halls can accommodate up to 10 thousand worshippers, while the lower hall is provided for men and accommodates up to 7 thousand people, and
balconies are for women, with a capacity of up to 3 thousand people. The entire structure is built of white marble, a huge painted dome deserves special attention, and in addition to the main entrance, 7 additional entrances lead to the inner halls, in front of which there are beautiful fountains.
10. Darvaza Gas Crater
Burning gas crater of the Darvaz field Tormod Sandtorv
The recommendations of this rating will definitely touch upon an amazing find in Turkmenistan — we will talk about the Darvaza gas crater, 270 kilometers north of Ashgabat. The “Gates of Hell”, as the locals call the crater, were formed as a result of geological work on the site of a promising deposit found here. As a result, gas began to escape through the cavity formed in the earth’s crust over time, which it was decided to set on fire in order not to poison people living nearby. But the deposit turned out to be so large-scale that the gas, set on fire in 1971, is still burning to this day, opening incredible views of an amazing natural phenomenon.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
Sights of Turkmenistan: what else to visit in Turkmenistan
The photo with names and descriptions continues the review for those who are already familiar with all the main sights of Turkmenistan. We will talk about unique and extraordinarily beautiful creations created by nature itself.
11. Dinosaur Plateau
Dinosaur footprints on the Digital Aesthetics Plateau
Not far from the border with Uzbekistan, in the very south-east of the country, surrounded by mountain ranges, there is a small village of Khojapil. About 3 kilometers from this village, you can find an amazing find — a limestone slab, the length and width of which are 3-4 hundred meters. Its entire surface is completely trampled by dinosaurs — there are about 3 thousand tracks in total, most of which were left by megalosaurs that lived during the Jurassic period, as well as smaller dinosaurs that inhabited the local swamp. Over time, the swamp petrified, and the traces were immortalized on the surface of the resulting plateau.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
12. Baharden Cave
The observation deck at the Baharden cave sunriseOdyssey
The best sights of Turkmenistan will certainly be complemented by another creation of nature — the Bakharden cave, formed as a result of the impact of hot groundwater on the rock. This natural cavity is about 250 meters long, about 25 meters wide and high. Inside there is an underground lake, in the healing hydrogen sulfide waters of which you can swim. The air inside the cave is very humid, saturated with hydrogen sulfide vapors, and the internal temperature, comfortable for staying, remains unchanged all year round.
13. The Repetek Nature Reserve
A rare desert predator is the caracal (desert lynx)
In 1927, the Repetek Biosphere Reserve was organized on the territory of the Kara-Kum desert — a corner with a fairly diverse flora and fauna against the background of the lifeless kingdom of sands. The uniqueness of this interesting place has long attracted the attention of scientists, who noted that the ecosystem of the Kara-Kum desert functions more properly the higher the air temperature rises, up to 60 degrees. These territories are quite successfully inhabited by about 30 species of mammals, about 200 species of birds, as well as 125 endemic plants.
Official website: https://www.lichenhouse.narod.ru
14. Yangi-Kala Canyon
Yangi-Kala Canyon is a beautiful natural and architectural structure by John Pavelka
In the northwestern part of Turkmenistan, you can visit an amazing natural object in beauty and shape, called the Yangi-Kala Canyon. After driving through a lifeless desert, at some point you find yourself at a cliff where the ground goes down hundreds of meters from under your feet. The canyon was once an ancient sea, which dried up over time, exposing the bottom of the sea, where white and red soil rocks predominate. Over time, rains and wind “carved” colorful bizarre hills, or “fiery fortresses” on the bottom of the canyon – this is how the name of the canyon sounds in translation.
15. The Caspian Sea
The shores of the Caspian Sea on the territory of Turkmenistan joepyrek
The reservoir, called the Caspian Sea, is not actually a sea — it is the world’s largest drainless lake located at the junction of Europe and Asia. The salty waters of the Caspian Sea are famous for their healing effect, and the summer temperature here is quite comfortable for recreation — no higher than + 28 degrees. That is why a popular tourist area is located here, and hotels in Turkmenistan, boarding houses, sanatoriums and health resorts, concentrated mainly in the Avaza resort area, are ready to offer various options for wellness holidays right on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
Turkmenistan is the most closed and authentic country in the entire post—Soviet space. This attracts more and more curious travelers every year, who are attracted here by dreams of white marble palaces, ancient cities, national shrines and living oases created by nature itself right in the middle of lifeless dunes of the endless desert.
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