Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan is one of the few countries with untapped tourism potential. This mysterious country, unlike its famous Asian neighbors, once walked its own unique, authentic path. However, those who want to get to know Turkmenistan will discover completely new aspects of the country and will be impressed by the historical and natural attractions of Turkmenistan. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan Large-scale historical events took place on the territory of this country, entire civilizations developed and collapsed, so this region hides many historical secrets and interesting discoveries. This confirms that there are many historical monuments, ancient buildings and other interesting and interesting places in Turkmenistan.
What to see first in Turkmenistan
Guests of Turkmenistan come to this country for different periods of time: someone plans a large-scale trip and gets to know the country’s traditions closely, someone is looking for what to see in Turkmenistan in 1 day. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan In any case, it will be useful to know what famous places are in the rich lands of Turkmenistan in order to plan rich itineraries for tourists.
1. Karakum desert
The ranking is opened by the well-known Karakum Desert, which occupies most of the country. One of the largest deserts in the world, it is sandy and arid. The climate here is harsh, with seasonal temperature variations of more than 90 degrees, but surprisingly, about one-seventh of the population lives in the Karakum desert, having adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert.
2. The ancient city of Nisa
A few kilometers from Ashgabat, guides in Turkmenistan will guide you through the ancient ruins of Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian state that existed between 1000 BC and 1000 AD. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan At one time, the old part of the city was home to many palaces and temple buildings, as well as a treasury and huge wine and food warehouses. The walls of the castles were built with integrity, their thickness was 8-9 meters, and the remains of ancient constructions have been preserved to this day.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
3. The ancient city of Merv
The tour continues with the ancient city, whose history goes back thousands of years. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan Merv is the oldest city in Asia, dating back to the Murush civilization in the 3rd and early 2nd millennium BC. It is also one of the largest archaeological sites in Central Asia, where you can read about the history of the legendary city from ancient times to the late Middle Ages.
Official website: https://tourism.gov.tm
4. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan, Dehistan
Dehistan Plain, also known as Mart Plain, is particularly interesting among the beautiful natural places that everyone should visit in Turkmenistan. It was named so for a reason – today this lifeless, waterless and muddy soil has left no trace of the fertile lands where agriculture was successfully practiced since the 2nd millennium BC. Today, all that the plain has left to its descendants are the ruins of an ancient Egyptian settlement, but even if you look at them, Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan you can see how civilized and beautiful this ancient settlement was.
5. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan, Kunya Urgench
Tours in Turkmenistan often include a drive to the historical and architectural reserve, 500 km north of Ashgabat. This is Kunya Urgench, a small town that commemorates the magnificent Urgench, the former capital of Khorezm. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan Once trade caravans passed through the city, various crafts flourished. But a part of its history has survived the tests of time: it was besieged twice, destroyed, but has survived to this day: many medieval mausoleums, towers and castles.
6. Ruhiyet Palace
The main sights of Turkmenistan are succinctly complemented by the Ruhiyet Palace for official events, located in Ashgabat. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan 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. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan Meetings, congresses, forums, inaugurations, as well as informal events – exhibitions, concerts and other celebrations – are held here.
7. Ertogrulgazi Mosque
Once in Ashgabat, you will definitely find a place to visit in Turkmenistan other than the above palace. For example, the largest mosque in the city is called Ertogrulgazi. This is one of the most beautiful mosques in the city decorated in the traditional Ottoman style. The entrance to the mosque is led by a beautiful marble road with fountain bowls half-shaped like 8-pointed stars on the sides. Impresses with the size and design of its courtyard, Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan the magnificent painting of the domes inside the temple and the spacious inner hall, which can simultaneously accommodate up to 5 thousand worshipers.
8. Monument to the Independence of Turkmenistan
The most important state landmark and the tallest structure in Turkmenistan is the Independence Monument, located in Ashgabat in the National Independence Park. It is 118 meters high and has a semicircular dome at its base, from the surface of which water flows from fountains embedded in its walls. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan It is possible to enter the interior of the monument through one of the five entrances, where the museum is located.
9. Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque
The largest single-domed mosque in Central Asia, according to reviews, is impressive in size – its area is about 18,000 square meters, and the inner hall can accommodate up to 10,000 worshipers, with the lower hall designed for men and can accommodate up to 7,000 people, and balconies are for women, with a capacity of up to 3,000 people. The entire structure is made of white marble; the huge painted dome deserves special attention; and in addition to the main entrance, seven additional entrances lead to the inner hall, Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan in front of which beautiful fountains are placed.
10. Darvaza Gas Crater
The recommendations of this rating will surely touch upon an amazing discovery in Turkmenistan – we are talking about the Darvaza gas crater, located 270 kilometers north of Ashgabat. The “gates of hell”, as the locals call the crater, were formed due to geological works on the site of promising deposits found here. As a result, a cavity formed in the earth’s crust eventually leaked gas, which was set on fire in order not to poison people living nearby. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan But the deposit turned out to be so huge that the gas that was set on fire in 1971 is still blazing today, offering incredible views of the amazing natural phenomenon.
11. Dinosaur Plateau
Not far from the border with Uzbekistan, in the south-east of the country, surrounded by mountain ranges, there is a small village called Hodzapil. About three kilometers from this village one can find an amazing find – a limestone slab, the length and width of which is 3-4 hundred meters. Its entire surface is thoroughly trampled by dinosaurs – in total there are about 3 thousand footprints, most of which were left by megalosaurs that lived during the Jurassic period, as well as smaller dinosaurs that lived in local swamps. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan Over time, the swamp fossilized and the footprints were immortalized on the surface of the resulting plateau.
12. Baharden Cave
The best sights of Turkmenistan will certainly be complemented by another creation of nature – Baharden Cave, formed due to the impact of hot underground water on the rock. The length of this natural cavity is about 250 meters, width and height are about 25 meters. Inside there is an underground lake, which contains curative water of hydrogen sulfide, in which you can take a bath in. The air inside the cave is very humid, saturated with hydrogen sulfide vapor, and the internal temperature, comfortable to stay, remains unchanged throughout the year.
13. Repetek Reserve
In 1927, the Repetek Biosphere Reserve was organized on the territory of the Kara-Kum Desert, a place with quite diverse flora and fauna on the backdrop 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 optimally with an increase in air temperature up to 60 degrees. About 30 species of mammals, about 200 species of birds and 125 endemic plants live quite successfully in these territories.
14. Yangi-Kala Canyon
In the northwestern part of Turkmenistan, you can visit an amazingly beautiful and shaped natural object called Yangi-Kala Canyon. After walking through a lifeless desert, at one point you find yourself in an abyss, where the ground drops away from under your feet for hundreds of meters. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan The canyon was once an ancient sea, which has dried up over time, revealing a sea floor filled with white and red clay rocks. Rain and wind over time have “carved” colorful fantasy hills, or “fire fortresses”, in the bottom of the canyon – that’s the name of the canyon.
15. Caspian Sea
The water body called the Caspian Sea is, in fact, not a sea – it is the world’s largest non-drainage lake, located at the junction of Europe and Asia. The salt water of the Caspian Sea is famous for its curative effects, and the summer temperature is quite comfortable for recreation – no more than +28 degrees. Tourists attractions in Turkmenistan That is why it is a popular tourist region, and hotels, boarding houses, resorts and health resorts of Turkmenistan, concentrated mainly in the resort area “Avaza”, are ready to offer various options for recreation on the Caspian Sea coast.
Official site: https://tourism.gov.tm
Turkmenistan is the most closed and authentic country of all the post-Soviet countries. Every year it attracts more and more curious travelers, drawn here by dreams of white marble palaces, ancient cities, national shrines and living oases, which nature itself has created among the lifeless dunes of the endless desert.