Most beautiful places
Cities, monuments, nature and holy sites
CityAshgabatThe capital of Turkmenistan, a "white marble city" between the Karakum desert and the Kopet Dag, with about a million people.Read more →
MonumentAncient Merv and the Mausoleum of Sultan SanjarOne of the great oasis cities of the Silk Road and a Seljuk capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.Read more →
MonumentNisa: the Parthian fortressOne of the first centres of the Parthian state, near Ashgabat — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.Read more →
MonumentKonye-UrgenchGurganj, the old capital of Khwarazm, famed for the 60-metre Kutlug Timur minaret — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.Read more →
MonumentGonur DepeA large Bronze Age settlement (2400–1600 BC), considered the "capital" of the Margiana civilisation.Read more →
NatureDarvaza gas crater: "Shining of Karakum"A gas crater burning in the Karakum since 1971, known worldwide as the "Gates of Hell".Read more →
NatureKarakum DesertThe "black sand" covering about 70% of Turkmenistan, one of the world's largest deserts.Read more →
NatureKow Ata underground lakeA warm mineral underground lake inside a cave at the foot of the Kopet Dag.Read more →
NatureYangykala CanyonA canyon of red and white cliffs in Balkan Region whose name means "fiery fortresses" in Turkmen.Read more →
NatureKöýtendag: dinosaur tracks and the highest peakMountains in eastern Turkmenistan with the country's highest peak and a plateau of dinosaur tracks.Read more →
ResortAwazaA national tourist zone and resort on the Caspian coast near Türkmenbaşy.Read more →
Leisure centreKopet Dag mountainsA range stretching 650 km along the Turkmen–Iranian border, the mountain retreat of Ashgabat's people.Read more →
Why Turkmenistan?
Discover the culture
Instruments, dances, crafts and carpets
InstrumentTüýdükA long Turkmen end-blown flute, traditionally played in epic tunes.Read more →
Musical genreBagshy art: singing with the dutarThe craft of making the Turkmen dutar and the art of singing with it, UNESCO heritage since 2021.Read more →
CraftKeşde: Turkmen needleworkHand embroidery decorating collars, sleeves and headscarves, UNESCO heritage since 2022.Read more →
DanceKüştdepdiA Turkmen rite combining improvised verse, song and circle dance — UNESCO heritage since 2017.Read more →
Traditional dressTelpekA tall shaggy sheepskin hat — the national headwear of Turkmen men.Read more →
CarpetTurkmen carpetThe red, gul-patterned hand-knotted carpet — symbol of the Turkmen people, featured on the national flag and UNESCO heritage since 2019.Read more →
CraftTurkmen jewelleryLarge ornaments of silver, gilding and carnelian that symbolise a woman's status and protection.Read more →
CraftAkhal-Teke horseAn ancient Turkmen breed called the "golden horse" for its metallic sheen; its breeding and decoration traditions are UNESCO heritage since 2023.Read more →
National cuisine
The taste and tradition of the table
Notable people
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From places to visit to national days: every section of the country in one place.
On the map
AshgabatWeather in the capital · Ashgabat
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