The following list highlights some of the best places to visiting in Turkmenistan. So if you are in Turkmenistan, I recommend visiting the following:
- Ancient City of Merv, Mary Velayat, Turkmenistan
- Darvaza Gas Crater, Darvaza, Turkmenistan
- Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak, Turkmenistan
- Kunya Urgench, Daşoguz, Turkmenistan
- Yangi-Kala Canyon, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Ruhiyet Palace, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- The ancient city of Nisa, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Ertogrulgazy Mosque, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Kow Ata Underground Lake, Bäherden, Turkmenistan
- Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
1. Ancient City of Merv, Mary Velayat
The review begins with the ancient city, whose history goes even further into the millennia. This is the oldest city in the whole of Central Asia, Merv, built in the era of Arab civilisation, at the junction of the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C. It is also one of the largest archaeological sites in Central Asia, on whose territory a number of ancient settlements have been preserved, in which one can read the history of the legendary city from antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages.
2. Darvaza Gas Crater, Darvaza
The Darvaza gas crater is located 270 kilometres north of Ashgabat. The “Gates of Hell”, as the local crater is called, were formed as a result of geological work at the site of a promising field. As a result, a gas began to escape through the cavity formed in the earth’s crust, which it was decided to set on fire, so as not to poison the people living nearby. But the field turned out to be so large that the gas ignited in 1971 still burns, revealing incredible views of an amazing natural phenomenon. It is a very popular phenomenon among tourists.
3. Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak
The largest single-domed mosque in Central Asia impresses with its size: its area is about 18 thousand square metres, and the inner corridors can accommodate up to 10 thousand worshippers, while the lower hall is designed for men and can accommodate up to 7 thousand people, and balconies – for women, with a capacity of up to 3 thousand people. The entire structure is built of white marble, a large painted dome deserves special attention, and in addition to the main entrance, 7 additional entrances lead to the inner corridors, in front of which beautiful fountains break.
4. Kunya Urgench, Daşoguz
It is a historical and architectural reserve 500 kilometres north of Ashgabat. This is Kunya-Urgench, a small town that carefully preserves the memory of the majestic Urgench, the ancient capital of Khorezm. Trade caravans once passed through the town; various crafts flourished. This city has withstood the difficult test of time: twice it was under siege, twice it was destroyed, but the grains of its history still survive today: numerous mausoleums, minarets and fortresses from the Middle Ages.
5. Yangi-Kala Canyon, Ashgabat
In the northwestern part of Turkmenistan, you can visit a natural site of incredible beauty and form, called the Yangi-Kala Canyon. After passing through the lifeless desert, at some point you find yourself on a cliff, where the land passes hundreds of metres below your feet. Once the canyon was an ancient sea, which dried up over time, exposing the seabed, where white and red rocks prevail. Over time, rains and wind “cut” strange colourful hills or “burning fortresses” in the bottom of the canyon: this is the name of the canyon in translation.
6. Ruhiyet Palace, Ashgabat
It is a dedicated palace for official events, located in Ashgabat, the Ruhiyet Palace. 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. It hosts meetings, conventions, forums, inaugurations, as well as informal events: exhibitions, concerts and other celebrations.
7. The ancient city of Nisa, Ashgabat
A few kilometres from Ashgabat, the guides will take you through Turkmenistan and walk through the famous ruins of the ancient city of Nisa, the ancient capital of the state of Parthia, which existed at the beginning of the millennium BC. Once in the ancient part of the city, many palace and temple buildings were concentrated, as well as a treasury, storehouses with huge stocks of wine and provisions. The walls of the fortresses were built in good faith, their thickness was 8-9 metres, because the remains of ancient structures have survived to the present day.
8. Ertogrulgazy Mosque, Ashgabat
Once in Ashgabat, you will certainly find where to go here in Turkmenistan, apart from the Ruhiyet 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 the traditional Ottoman style. A beautiful marble pathway leads to the gates of the mosque, on the sides of which are fountain bowls in the shape of 8-pointed half-stars. The size and design of its courtyard, the magnificent painting of the domes inside the temple and the spacious inner hall, which can hold up to 5,000 worshippers at a time, are impressive.
9. Kow Ata Underground Lake, Bäherden
The best views of Turkmenistan will undoubtedly be complemented by another creation of nature: the Baharden cave, formed as a result of the impact on the race of hot groundwater. This natural cavity is about 250 metres long, about 25 metres wide and high. Inside there is an underground lake (Kow Ata Underground Lake), in the healing waters of hydrogen sulphide from which you can swim. The air inside the cave is very humid, saturated with hydrogen sulphide vapours, and the internal temperature, comfortable to stay in, remains unchanged all year round.
10. Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
The most important state attraction and the tallest building in Turkmenistan is the Independence Monument, located in Ashgabat in the National Independence Park. Its height is 118 metres, and a hemispherical dome is placed at the base, over the surface of which flow the waters of the fountains, whose nozzles are placed directly on its walls. Through one of the five entrances, you can enter the monument’s premises, where the museum is located.
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