Turkmenistan: heart of the historical Silk Road
Central Asian country Turkmenistan is one of the least visited countries in the world. And that is a shame, because a holiday in Turkmenistan gives you plenty of things to do. Besides the capital Ashgabat, which is also known as the city of marble, can you see the incredible Gates of Hell or visit the Yangykala Canyon. If you want to know more about the Silk Road, the UNESCO sites Merv and Nisa are definitely recommended. There are two main reasons why few tourists go to Turkmenistan. The first one is that Turkmenistan is hardly in the news. The other one is that the visa for Turkmenistan is very difficult to get and you cannot travel through the country without a guide. Fortunately, we can help you with all these things, so that you can easily visit this amazing country!
Turkmenistan
Name: Republic of Turkmenistan
Capital: Ashgabat
Population: 5.9 million
Surface area: 488,100 km²
Language: Turkmen
Neighbouring countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran
We went to Turkmenistan with CultureRoad. A perfectly tailor-made trip. Communication went very well and we always got a quick response. Rik made it an unforgettable journey. He provided a clear travel overview and extra information about the country and what to expect. When we arrived, we were received perfectly on time. Guide and driver were friendly, spoke good English, flexible, were still open to any changes in the itinerary and above all lots of laughs! All this for a competitive price.
marc & tim (The netherlands)
Ashgabat
When you arrive in the capital Ashgabat, you’ll feel like you’re in an utopian city. There is marble everywhere, from houses to the monuments, and streets and parks look very empty. Officially, about 1 million people live in the city, but most of them live in the flats in the suburbs. Ashgabat is also the only place in the country where you can move around without a guide.
Yangykala Canyon
A trip to Turkmenistan also has a lot to offer when it comes to nature. The Yangykala Canyon is located in the northwest of the country. This canyon is at least as impressive as its counterpart in the United States. Deep ravines, special colors and strange rock formations make this a place you will not forget for the rest of your life.
Gates of Hell
The Gates of Hell is perhaps the most famous attraction in Turkmenistan. This unnatural crater (also called the Darwaza Crater) was created in 1971 when Russian geologists were drilling for gas. When the gas chamber collapsed, they decided to torch the crater for fear of toxic gases. They thought the gas would burn out in the foreseeable future. Little did they know. Today it is still burning. The crater has a diameter of 69 meters and you can camp right next to the crater.
Merv
The Turkmenistan region was important for the Silk Road. Merv was an important stop for many traders. The history of the oasis town goes back into a long time. Today Merv is the oldest and best preserved oasis town along the Silk Road. The historic centre of the city consists of a number of adjoining walls of various ancient places such as Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and Kyz Kala.
The area that is now Turkmenistan was inhabited by Turkish nomadic tribes from the 11th century. In 1881 the area was conquered by the Russians, after which it became part of the Soviet Union in 1918 as one of the republics. On October 27, 1991, Turkmenistan gained independence when the Soviet Union fell apart. Saparmurat Niazov was one of the few leaders to survive Gorbachev’s glasnost. He became the first president of Turkmenistan during this turbulent time. The Stalinist turned into a nationalist and he ruled the country in an autocratic manner.
Leader of the Turkmens
In 1993 he gave himself the title Turkmenbashi (leader of the Turkmens). He introduced holidays in honour of his parents, the melon and the carpet (yes, really!). He also made sure that his own book, the Ruchnama, was taught at every school. Niazov died on December 21, 2006. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took over from him. Berdimuhamedow also rules harshly, but has revised some of Niazov’s decisions. The people are now allowed to sing karaoke again.
Already know what you are looking for?
Blog posts about Turkmenistan
Exploring Ashgabat: Turkmenistan’s White City and Its Captivating Architecture
Standing at the heart of Central Asia, Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan, stands as a mesmerizing testament to the nation’s vibrant history, culture, and…
The gates of hell in Turkmenistan: The hottest camping spot has re-opened
Discover the awe-inspiring Gates of Hell, an extraordinary and fiery attraction in the heart of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan Visa – update 2023
Great news for travelers looking to visit Turkmenistan in 2023! The State Migration Service of Turkmenistan has resumed accepting documents for issuing invitations (LOI) for…
Turkmenistan Reopens for Tourists in 2023
Turkmenistan’s reopening for tourism is excellent news for all travel enthusiasts. Keep an eye out for the latest information about visa requirements, and get ready…