Ashgabat – City of White Marble & Resilience

🏙️ A Capital Between Desert and Mountains

Ashgabat, the capital and largest city of Turkmenistan, is the country’s administrative, scientific, cultural, and industrial center
Divided into four districts called etraps

📍 Nestled between the Kopetdag Mountains 🏔️ and the Karakum Desert 🏜️
🌍 Just 25 km from the Iran border
🌡️ Continental climate: blazing hot summers ☀️ and cool winters ❄️

🌍 Rebuilt from Ruins

In 1948, a catastrophic earthquake ⚠️ flattened the city and claimed more than 175,000 lives
Reborn from tragedy, Ashgabat transformed into a futuristic capital lined with white marble monuments, wide avenues, and grand fountains

🏛️ In 2013, it earned a Guinness World Record 🏆 for the highest concentration of white marble buildings — a title held five times
👥 Population reached over 1 million by 2018, in a country of around 6 million

🕰️ Timeline of Ashgabat

🏺 Konjikala (2nd century BC) – A Silk Road oasis, rebuilt after earthquakes, destroyed by Mongols
🛡️ 19th century – Russians built the Askhabad fortress
📛 1919–1927 – Named Poltoratsk during Soviet period
🔁 Renamed Ashgabat and became the capital of the Turkmen ASSR
🇹🇲 1991 – Became the capital of independent Turkmenistan

📸 Top Sights & Landmarks

🕌 Ertogrulgazy & Turkmenbashy Mosques – Ottoman-style architecture
🎡 Alem Center – Indoor Ferris wheel (Guinness Record)
🏰 Oguzkhan Palace – Presidential residence (exterior only)
💫 Wedding Palace – Star-shaped with a golden globe
🏛️ Monument of Independence – Crescent moon and five stars tower
🌉 Arch of Neutrality – Former rotating statue of the president
🏞️ Nisa (UNESCO) – Ancient Parthian capital
🕊️ Halk Hakydasy Memorial – Honoring WWII and earthquake victims

🖼️ Museums & Culture

🏺 National Museum – Over 160,000 exhibits
🧶 Carpet Museum – Home of the world’s largest handmade carpet
🎨 Fine Arts Museum – Local, Russian, and European art
🎭 Drama Theatres – Performances in Turkmen & Russian
🧸 Puppet Theater – A hit among families

🌳 Parks & Nature

🌲 Inspiration Alley – Statues and floral paths
🌿 Botanical Gardens – Ideal in spring
🧗 Health Trail – 36 km of mountain walking
🎠 Fairy Tale Park – Rides themed on Turkmen folklore

🛍️ Shopping Spots

🧺 Altyn Asyr Bazaar – Central Asia’s largest bazaar
🛍️ Gulistan Market – Also called the Russian Bazaar
🛒 Berkarar Mall – Shopping, cinema, cafes, and entertainment

🍽️ Local Flavors

🍖 Must-try dishes: chekdirme (lamb stew), fish manti, and pilaf
🥗 Vegetarian options available in Indian and Chinese eateries
☕ Best coffee: Coffee Station, Alfredo, Shop Coffee
🥐 Pastries: La Tartine bakery

🚌 Getting Around

🚍 Buses – Modern, no fixed schedule
🚐 Minibuses – Inexpensive but crowded
🚕 Taxis – Around 20 TMT, negotiate fare
🚠 Cable Car – Scenic ride to Firyuza
🚝 Monorail – Serves the Olympic Village only
🚫 No car rental services in the city

✈️ How to Reach

✈️ Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)
🛫 Served by: Turkmenistan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, Belavia

🗣️ Languages

🇹🇲 Turkmen – Official and widely spoken
🇷🇺 Russian & Uzbek – Common across the population
🇬🇧 English – Understood in hotels and among youth

Explore Our Destinations

Dekhistan

Ashgabat

Koneurgench

Ancient Merv

Nohur village

Astana Baba Mausoleum

Koytendag mountain

Gonur Depe

Abiverd

Seyitjemaleddin Mosque

Yangykala Canyon

Darvaza gas crater

Old Nisa

Kow-Ata – The Underground Thermal Lake of Turkmenistan

Izmukshir Fortress