TOP TEN PLACES TO SEE IN TURKMENISTAN

The most amazing places and things to do in Turkmenistan:

Konye-Urgench

Konye-Urgench is a city in Dashoguz Province, Turkmenistan. It is the site of the ancient town of Ürgenç (Urgench), which contains the unexcavated ruins of the 12th-century capital of Khwarezm. Since 2005, the ruins of Old Urgench have been protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Most travellers are amazed with the Nedjameddin Kubra Mausoleum which was built in the 14th century, it is considered as the holiest place in Konye Urgench. Nedjameddin Kubra lived in the 12th/13th centuries.

Ashgabat

Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan, surrounded by Ahal Province. Ashgabat is a relatively young city, growing out of a village of the same name established by Russian officers in 1881. It has a population of 695,300 (2001 census estimate), 2009 estimates around 1 million people in Ashgabat, and is situated between the Kara Kum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. Museum of Turkmen National Values, 9am to 12:30 pm, 2 to 5:30 pm, daily. In the first floor, the Museum houses displays of silver jewellery for women and horses, and replicas of the golden bull- and wolf-head sculpture from Altyn Depe.

Avaza

Avaza is located at the east side of the Caspian sea, 12 km west of Turkmenbashi city. A multi-billion dollar construction project near Turkmenbashi aimed at creating a "national touristic zone" of over 60 world-class hotels, shopping, and a new international airport is expected to draw travellers from around the world. Caspian Sea is situated on the west of Avaza. From geographical and economic point of view Turkmenbashi, situated at the junction of main communications – air, sea, auto and railway communications, is considered to be a kind of gates to the Central Asia.

Karakum Desert

Karakum Desert the Karakum Desert lies east of the Caspian Sea, with the Aral Sea to the north and the Amu Darya River and the Kyzyl Kum desert to the northeast. It occupies about 70 percent, or 350,000 km², of the area of Turkmenistan.

Balkanabat

Balkanabat is a city in Balkan Province, Turkmenistan. The former name, Nebit Dag, means "Oil & Mountain" in Turkmen language, and it is named for the reserves of oil and large mountains of the Balkan mountain range. The Regional History Museum is a must see for all travellers.

Derweze Flaming Crater

Derweze Flaming Crater located in the middle of the Karakum desert, about 260 km north from Ashgabat. The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas. Darvaza inhabitants are mostly Turkmen of the Teke tribe, preserving a half-nomadic lifestyle.

Yangykala Canyon

Yangykala Canyon is a city in Balkanabat, Turkmenistan. One of the most spectacular natural attractions in Central Asia, 165 km north of Balkhanabat, 160 km east of Turkmenbashi. Yangykala canyon surpasses Bryce canyon and approaches the Grand in its spectularness. It can even be hiked down, in between its toes of red rock.

Dasoguz

Dasoguz is a city in Dashoguz Province, Turkmenistan near the Uzbek border. Early in its history, it was a popular stop on the Silk Road because it had a spring, hence its name. Founded as a fort in the early 19th century by the Russians, modern Daşoguz is a Soviet-designed city with many monuments and museums acting as a local administrative and cultural center and rail junction. Among the most amazing sites in Dasoguz are the Dinosaur sculptures in the town center and the Bai Bazaar a colourful market.

Merv

Merv is located near today's Mary in Turkmenistan. Merv's origins are prehistoric, archaeological surveys have revealed many survivals of village life as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. Under the name of Mouru, Merv is mentioned with Bakhdi (Balkh) in the geography of the Zend-Avesta (commentaries on the Avesta). It was also formerly called Achaemenid Satrapy of Margiana, and later Alexandria and Antiochia in Margiana, and was a major oasis-city in Central Asia. Most exciting sites to see here are The Bronze Age Settlements Kelleli, Adji Kul, Tai, Gonur Depe and Togoluk date from 2500 to 1200 BC. They are situated in the Northern part of the oasis. Kelleli 3 and Kelleli 4 have a double external wall with towers and houses.

Nissa

Nissa is an archaeological site in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. Nisa is described by some as one of the first capitals of the Parthians. It is traditionally assumed to be founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC–211 BC), and was reputedly the royal necropolis of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum. The fortress at Nisa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. Old Nisa is a natural hill, about 14 ha wide, surrounded by high defensive earthen ramparts with 40 rectangular towers, The top of the hill was flattened and levelled with layers of earth.