Konye
The simple Konye-Urgench Museum is housed in the early-20th-century Dash Medressa, just before the main mausoleum complex. It includes some ancient Arabic texts and a few interestingly labelled artefacts from Old Urgench (eg ‘blue polished eight-cornered thing’). Note the Christian
Carpet Museum
The large, modern Carpet Museum has a vast white marble facade and high entrance fees, though these are worth paying if you’re interested in this most famous Turkmen handicraft. While there’s a limit to the number of rugs the average visitor can stand, the central exhibit, the worl
Arch of Neutrality
Beyond the national museum is the President Hotel , some distance behind which youll see the Arch of Neutrality . Once the centrepiece of Niyazovs Ashgabat, it was erected to celebrate the Turkmen peoples unsurprisingly unanimous endorsement of Turkmenbashis policy of neutrality in
Kyz Kala
These two crumbling 7th-century koshk (fortresses) outside the walls of Merv are interesting for their ‘petrified stockade’ walls, as writer Colin Thubron describes them, composed of ‘vast clay logs up-ended side by side’. They were constructed by the Sassanians in the 7th century
Kugitang Nature Reserve
Kugitang is the most impressive and pristine of Turkmenistans nature reserves. Set up in 1986 to protect the Kugitang Mountain Range, its unique ecosystem and in particular the rare markhor mountain goat, it includes the nations highest peak, several huge canyons, rich forests, mou
Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum
The path past the Matkerim-Ishan Mausoleum leads to the Nejameddin Kubra Mausoleum on the left, and the Sultan Ali Mausoleum facing it across a shady little courtyard. Nejameddin Kubra (1145–1221) was a famous Khorezm Muslim teacher and poet who founded the Sufic Kubra order, with
Gutlug Timur Minaret
Crossing the road from Turabeg Khanym Complex to the side of the minaret, the path through a modern cemetery and the 19th-century Sayid Ahmed Mausoleum leads to the Gutlug Timur Minaret, built in the 1320s. It’s the only surviving part of Old Urgench’s main mosque. Decorated with b
Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum
Instantly recognisable by its conical turquoise dome, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum is one of Konye Urgenchs most beautiful monuments. Tekesh was the 12th-century Khorezmshah who made Khorezm great with conquests as far south as Khorasan (present-day northern Iran and northern Afghan
Independence Park
The Altyn Asyr Shopping Centre , the curious pyramidical shopping centre at the northern end of Independence Park, is reputedly the biggest fountain in the world. Inside it’s rather less than impressive – an all but empty two-floor shopping centre, although there’s a restaurant on
National Museum
Looking like a lost palace in the urban desert, the National Museum occupies a striking position in front of the Kopet Dag . It’s actually a collection of three pricey museums – the History Museum , the Nature & Ethnographic Museum and the Presidential Museum . The History Muse
Yangykala Canyon
With bands of pink, red and yellow rock searing across the sides of steep canyon walls, Yangykala is a breathtaking sight and one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Turkmenistan. Just as alluring as the beautiful views is its solitary isolation in the desert; few Turkme
Mary Regional Museum
Marys highlight is this excellent museum housed in a sparkling white-marble palace across the river from the centre of town. The enormous premises is home to a collection of taxidermy, temporary exhibits and a gallery of Turkmen art, but the real reason to visit is the superb archa
Independence Square
At the centre of Ashgabat is the enormous Independence Square, on which sits the golden-domed Palace of Turkmenbashi (the place of work of the former president), the Ministry of Fairness , the Ministry of Defence and the Ruhyyet Palace , all of which were built by the French corpor
Turabeg Khanym Complex
Turabeg Khanym Complex, opposite the ticket office, is still the subject of some debate. Locals and some scholars consider this a mausoleum, though no-one is too sure who is buried here. Some archaeologists contend that it was a throne room built in the 12th century (it appears to
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
The best remaining testimony to Seljuq power at Merv is the 38m-high Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, located in what was the centre of Sultan Kala. The building was restored with Turkish aid and rises dramatically in the open plain.Sanjar, grandson of Alp-Arslan, died in 1157, reputedl
Darvaza Gas Craters
One of Turkmenistan’s most unusual sights, the Darvaza Gas Craters are the result of Soviet-era gas exploration in the 1950s. The three craters are artificial. One has been set alight and blazes with an incredible strength that’s visible from miles away, while the other two contai
Doing business & staying in touch while in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan: Doing business & staying in touch
Turkmenistan Weather, Climate and Geography
Turkmenistan Weather, climate and geography
Turkmenistan History, Language and Culture
Turkmenistan History, Language and Culture
Turkmenistan Travel Guide and Travel Information
Turkmenistan Travel Guide
