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    Tourist Attractions in Turkmenistan

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Turkmenistan. Photos and a brief description.

    About Turkmenistan

    Turkmenistan is a country with great tourism potential. The former Republic of the USSR has taken a completely authentic path, unlike its less fortunate neighbors. Turkmenistan honors ancient traditions, walks on cheerful national holidays in honor of the birth of a child or harvest, and at the same time builds modern cities, develops industry.

    For a tourist who decides to visit Turkmenistan, the country will sparkle with bright colors, show its natural beauty and tell many fascinating stories. It will be interesting for guests to relax in the Avaza tourist zone on the shore of the Caspian Sea, look at the endless Karakum desert, take a walk at the spring festivals of snowdrops (Chuchmoma-Sayili) and tulips (Lola-Sayili) or stroll through the city of blooming gardens of Ashgabat.

    On the territory of modern Turkmenistan, ancient civilizations ascended to their power and collapsed. There you can see the residence of the kings Parthia Nisu and the ruins of ancient Merv, follow in the footsteps of a powerful dynasty The Achaemenids and the armies of Alexander the Great. Many tourist routes are laid along famous historical sites.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Turkmenistan

    Karakum Desert

    It covers most of the country and covers an area of more than 3,500 thousand km2. This is a real kingdom of sand, dunes and camels. The climatic conditions in the desert are very harsh, in summer the temperature in the sun reaches 63 ° C, and in winter there are real frosts up to -30 ° C. Almost 15% of Turkmenistan's population lives in Karakums.

    Karakum Desert
    Darvaza Gas Crater

    Darvaza Gas Crater

    The flaming fiery crater formed as a result of unsuccessful drilling, which has not faded for 40 years. Some tourists compare it to the gateway to the Underworld. When gas burst to the surface in 1971, they decided to set it on fire for the safety of the residents of the village located nearby. But the gas reserves have not burned out so far.

    The ancient city of Nisa

    The remains of the capital of the once powerful Parthian kingdom, built around the II century BC. The city was erected at the behest of the king Mithridates. There were burials of members of the ruling Arsacid dynasty, palaces, temples, numerous warehouses and the royal treasury. Nisa is included in the UNESCO Heritage List.

    The ancient city of Nisa
    The ancient city of Merv

    The ancient city of Merv

    This city is the oldest in all of Central Asia, it was built during the Margian civilization (3-2 thousand years BC) Later became one of the centers of the mighty Parthia. After the Arab conquest of the 7th century Merv became a base for further expansion to the east and north. The city flourished during the Arab dynasty Samanids in the XII century, in its beauty it surpassed even Constantinople.

    Dehistan

    This place is also called the "Martian plain". Once the area was a blooming oasis surrounded by rivers and gardens, but hundreds of years passed and the waters dried up, and Dehistan turned into a desert. People had to go to other more fertile lands, abandon their settlements. Centuries later, the ruins of Akga-kala and Shadur-kala, surrounded by a lifeless plain, reached us.

    Dehistan
    Kunya-Urgench

    Kunya-Urgench

    The Historical Reserve of Turkmenistan, was previously the capital of Northern Khorezm. Mentions of the city have been found since the I century. In the X century during the reign of Samanidov Kunya-Ugrech was renamed Gurganj. The city became a cultural and scientific center, the second after the capital of the empire Bukhara. The famous lived here Ibn Sina (Avicenna in European).

    The Palace collapses

    A modern architectural monument built in 1999 in Ashgabat by order of the first Turkmen President S. Niyazov. It is a complex of white marble topped with turquoise domes. The palace is used for conferences, forums, important state events, as well as concerts and mass celebrations.

    The Palace collapses
    Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan

    Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan

    The symbol of the country's independence in the form of a 118-meter column. The building is located in the Ashgabat Park, reminding residents and guests about the formation of a separate and independent state of Turkmenistan. The top of the monument is crowned with a crescent moon with five stars symbolizing the unity of the five Turkmen tribes.

    Ertogrulgazy Mosque

    Built in the 90s, one of the most beautiful mosques in Ashgabat. Elements of the Turkish style were used in the construction, the name also has Turkish roots – it is given in honor of the father of the ruler Osman I. The temple accommodates almost 5 thousand believers and is the largest in the capital. Elements of the ancient Byzantine style are visible in the courtyard and decoration.

    Ertogrulgazy Mosque
    Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque

    Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque

    The main Muslim temple of Turkmenistan, a large and pompous building. It was erected on the initiative of Turkmenbashi (S. Niyazov) and named in his honor. The mosque is not located in the capital, but in the village Kipchak, where the president was born. The construction was carried out by a French company, the work cost the country more than $ 100 million.

    Baharden Cave

    A natural landmark in the south-west of the country. In the cave there is a large underground lake 16 m deep and 70 m long. Turkmen tribes considered this place sacred, for centuries whole caravans and families came here to sacrifice (livestock) and ask for the mercy of the spirits.

    Baharden Cave
    Dinosaur Plateau

    Dinosaur Plateau

    A mysterious and unique place where dinosaur footprints have been preserved. According to local legend, these tracks belonged to the huge elephants of the army of Alexander the Great (in the local dialect of Iskander Zulkarnain). More than 3,000 traces of ancient reptiles and more than 30 trails along which they went about their business have been recorded on the plateau.

    Repetek Nature Reserve

    Here the sands of the boundless Karakum desert begin. This is one of the hottest places in the country, where the temperature reaches +50 °C. Desert fauna and flora are represented in the reserve. Turtles, lizards, monitor lizards live here, desert acacia and peacock poppy grow. Many species are endemic to this territory.

    Repetek Nature Reserve
    Yangi-Kala Canyon

    Yangi-Kala Canyon

    Translated from Turkmen, it means "fiery fortresses". This is a picturesque and unusual place – the rocks of purple, yellow, beige, red colors really seem like castles from some fabulous fantasy. During sunset, the stones are painted in brighter colors, and an unforgettable sight appears to the tourist. In the canyon, you can arrange a jeep safari or a hike with an overnight stay in tents.

    Caspian Sea

    Turkmenistan owns a fairly large piece of the Caspian coastline – about 1200 km. This unique reservoir is located at the very junction of Asia and Europe. More recently, by the will of the Turkmen authorities, the national resort zone "Avaza" was created on the coast with boarding houses, hotels, sanatoriums and a developed infrastructure for tourists.

    Caspian Sea