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Turkmenistan is a country in Central Asia. Its capital city Ashgabat, is famous for a massive collection of white marble buildings. Turkmentistan possesses the fourth-largest proven natural gas reserves in the entire world. Karakum Desert, covers over 80% of the country's total land area. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. We visited Dasgouz (an industrial capital city in northern Turkmenistan), Nisa, home to ancient historic ruins and trade routes in the Silk road, Darvaza Gas Crater in Karkum desert and Ashgabat in June 2026.
The Dashoguz Local History Museum, The museum houses roughly 7,000 historical and cultural artifacts highlighting the unique regional ethnography and the archaeological history of the ancient Khorezm civilization
The Gorogly Monument located within Gorogly Park in the city of Dasoguz. The central statue honors Gorogly a legendary, mythical hero of the Turkmen people.
The Turkmenbashi Statue (the first president of independent Turkmenistan.) and Monument located in the city of Dashoguz.
The Karakum Desert is a massive 135,000-square-mile sand desert covering about 70% of Turkmenistan.
From Dashoguz to the Darvaza Gas Crater by 4x4 vehicles. Stopped for a short break on the way.
Fantastic views over the Karakum (Black Sand) desert.
The Darvaza Gas Crater is located in the Karakum Desert.The crater has been burning continuously for nearly 55 years. It remain as one of the world's most unique geological wonders
Stopped for a photo stop, The Darvaza Crater earned the nickname "Door to Hell" due to the eerie and dramatic sight of flames erupting from beneath the ground.
The crater remains constantly aflame due to a massive underground methane deposit.
Spent a night in a traditional yurt near the crater allows to experience the authentic nomadic lifestyle of the Turkmen people.
The crater has been burning since 1971.
Standing beside the burning Darvaza crater at night was a surreal experience, a perfect moment where nature, mystery, and adventure came together.
Stayed an overnight at a nearby traditional yurt camp. Admiring an unforgettable sunset, sunrise and overnight experience.
The yurt camp offers more than just a place to rest in the vast Karakum Desert.
The desert landscape
A small group of camels walking across the sandy desert
The dromedary camel is also known as one-humped camel. Wild camels are frequently spotted roaming and crossing the remote sand dunes of the Karakum Desert
The official headquarters and residence of the President of Turkmenistan. The massive Ashgabat Flagpole flying the national flag of Turkmenistan, located at Independence Square in the capital city of Ashgabat
The Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex (People's Memory), a historical monument located in Ashgabat. It is specifically dedicated to the victims of the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake as well as Turkmen soldiers who died in World War II and other battles
Photo stop at the Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex (People's Memory)
The eternal glory monument consists of five towering, tapered red-bronze columns representing a blooming flower that safeguards an eternal flame at its base, honoring those who fell in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945)
Photo stop at the Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque
The massive interior prayer hall of the Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque
The skyline features rows of uniform, high-density residential and governmental high-rises clad entirely in white marble. Ashgabat holds a Guinness World Record for the highest density of white marble-clad buildings.
We visited a local horse stable in Geok Tepe. Geok Tepe in Turkmenistan is the historic heartland of the legendary Akhal-Teke horse breed.
A majestic chestnut Akhal-Teke horse moving dynamically at a fast trot or canter inside a sandy training arena.
Visited the ancient ruins of Old Nisa
Photo stop at the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, an ancient archaeological site.
Old Nisa, an extraordinary ancient archaeological site.
The beautiful inner courtyard of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
The Ertogrul gaza mosque was built in 1993-1998 in the Ottoman style. It is the largest in the city, with a capacity of 5,000.
The Ertugrul Gazi Mosque (also known as the Azadi Mosque) Built by Turkish craftsmen. Its design is heavily reminiscent of the famous Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. It is located along Galkynysh Street in the capital city of Ashgabat
The State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan (commonly referred to as the Ashgabat National Museum of History)
The Monument Arch of Neutrality, is a three-legged rocket-shaped structure built to celebrate the country's official position of international neutrality.
The Independence Monument, to Mark the 10th anniversary of Independence. The design of this building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and the traditional headgear worn by Turkmen girls.
The Ruhnama (book of soul) Monument, a giant mechanized book sculpture located in the National Independence Park in Ashgabat
The Turkmen State Puppet Theatre
The iconic Yyldyz Hotel, a premier 5-star luxury accommodation. View from our hotel window in Ashgabat.
This panoramic view of the white marble skyline of Ashgabat. The iconic Wedding Palace (Bagt Kosgi) perched on the hillside
The main passenger terminal of the Ashgabat International Airport (ASB). The iconic roof of the terminal is literally designed in the shape of a flying falcon with its wings fully spread out. |
