Turkmenistan

Reasons To Visit Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is the most mysterious destination in Central Asia with ancient tracks of history, amazing architecture, culture, and people. To unveil some of the secrets of Turkmenistan will help the following list of main attractions of the country:

1. Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan is the most marble city in the world according to Guinness Book founded in 1981. The city concentrates a big amount of interesting monuments and more than 500 marble buildings with an area of 4,5 million square meters.

2. Darwaza Gas Crater is like a calling card of Turkmenistan. It is a human-made crater that exploded with gas and fire in 1971 in the Karakum desert and was meant to go out within a few days. But continues burning these days and attracting more and more tourists each year with its dramatic view of “Doors to Hell”.

3. Merv, as one of the most ancient cities mentioned in Avestan chronicles of the 8-6th centuries BC, has preserved remains of amazing architecture, a city where great thinkers of the Middle Ages as Omar Khayyam, As - Samani, Imamaddin-Isphakhani and others lived.

4. The Caspian Sea is the world's largest lake creating a natural boundary between Europe and Asia and is called a sea due to its geological characteristics and size. On its shore, there can be found the most beautiful touristic resort Awaza and the major port city of Turkmenbashi.

5. Nokhur is one of the 100 world romantic places in the world located in the foothill of the Kopet Dag mountain range at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level. This place is inhabited by a mountain tribe of the same name who preserved their unique traditions and customs.

6. The underground lake of Kow Ata is located in a famous Bakharden cave 60 km west of Ashgabat. There is a staircase down the cave for 60 meters, where this lake can be seen. It is famous for its curative properties and is connected with many legends and mysteries. The beauty of the lake is enchanting; the water can be 14 meters while the temperature can reach 37 degrees.

7. Kunya-Urgench is one of the most visited sites in Turkmenistan that remained from the first century AD. It was the capital of Samanid Emire in 1995 and the second largest city after Bukhara. Within many centuries after it remained an important cultural and shopping center.

8. Ruins of Nisa take place in 18km far from Ashgabat, which was the capital of ancient Parthia which existed in the 1st millennium BC. The remaining ruins represent the former imperial fortress of the capital of Parthia. This site is very popular and was included in the list of world heritage of UNESCO.

9. Akhal-Teke horses present a significant part of Turkmen culture, which is a national pride and wealth. These thoroughbred horses are of exceptional beauty and the breed can be seen on a horse farm in Ashgabat.

10. Yangikala canyons are one of the top natural objects of Turkmenistan. Cliffs of striking colors and shapes were formed within millions years as a result of different climatic changes being the bottom of sea at the beginning. This place is a wonderful place for hiking, camping and jeep safari.