Ashgabat is often described as “Las Vegas meets Pyongyang” – It is easy to see how accurate this description is once you are here: With the glamorous marble buildings and bright neon lights, Ashgabat resembles Las Vegas especially by night. Like Las Vegas, Ashgabat is a flashy city that stands in the middle of the desert.
On the other hand, the sparkling clean streets and the Stalinist-like regime resembles North Korea. Turkmenistan is a presidential republic where the president has absolute power. Its former leader, Turkmenbashi, even wrote his own national bible – The Ruhnama.
Built almost entirely off its oil and gas revenues, Turkmenistan is #7 on the list of the least visited countries in the world, receiving only 7,000 visitors per year, due to strict visa rules. I am here to unveil the stories behind this mysterious country – One weekend at a time.
A 12-hour flight to Istanbul and another 3-hour flight to Ashgabat.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Turkmenistan has unbelievably strict visa rules: A transit visa is only be valid for a couple days and a tourist visa requires either joining a tour group or hiring a guide. That is the reason why most independent travelers skip Turkmenistan. The only other way to enter the country is to have a letter of invitation from the Turkmenistan government , then apply for a business visa, which allows one to stay for an extended period of time.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
One thing that all locals know is that there is a black market for its local currency, the manat: The official rate set by Turkmenistan’s Central Bank is $1 USD = 3.5 manats. However, at the black market you can get as much as 18 manats for $1 USD.
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Black market exchange rate exists only when the government is imposing artificial controls. The difference between the official rate and the black market rate indicates the gravity of the problem: The greater the gap, the more severe the problem. Currently Turkmenistan is on the edge of an economic crisis due to failed energy deals and low world prices for natural gas – Turkmenistan’s main export.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
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There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
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There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
埃爾圖魯爾清真寺 Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, a Sunni Islam mosque built to honor the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire.
//
There are two main sects in Islam: Sunni Islam (followed by 90% of the world’s Muslims) and Shia Islam (followed by Muslims mostly in Iran, India, and Pakistan). Although these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Quran, they disagree on who would lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad’s death: Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr should be Muhammad’s successor, while Shia Muslims believe that Ali should be the successor.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
達瓦札燃氣坑 “Door to Hell”, a burning gas crater located near the village of Darvaza, in the middle of the Karakum Desert 160 miles north of Ashgabat. In 1971, geologists set the gas crater on fire to prevent the spread of poisonous gases into nearby village, expected that the gas would burn out within a few weeks. But instead, this 100-foot-deep gas crater has continued to burn for more than four decades.
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Originally I planned on taking a train from Ashgabat to Darvaza: There is one train per day going from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, near the Uzbekistan border, and stops half way in Darvaza – Logistically this is less than ideal, as the train would arrive in Darvaza before noon and I would have to spend half a day in the desert before seeing the sunset scene of the gas crater. So instead, I hired a local Turkmen to drive me from Ashgabat to Darvaza. Like most Turkmen people, my driver only spoke Turkmen and Russian and did not understand a word of English – It was a strange journey: Blasting Turkmen pop music on the ride and struggling to understand anything each other said, leaving the glamorous Ashgabat for the inhabitable Karakum Desert that covers 80% of the country.
@Darvaza達瓦札
達瓦札燃氣坑 “Door to Hell”, a burning gas crater located near the village of Darvaza, in the middle of the Karakum Desert 160 miles north of Ashgabat. In 1971, geologists set the gas crater on fire to prevent the spread of poisonous gases into nearby village, expected that the gas would burn out within a few weeks. But instead, this 100-foot-deep gas crater has continued to burn for more than four decades.
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Originally I planned on taking a train from Ashgabat to Darvaza: There is one train per day going from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, near the Uzbekistan border, and stops half way in Darvaza – Logistically this is less than ideal, as the train would arrive in Darvaza before noon and I would have to spend half a day in the desert before seeing the sunset scene of the gas crater. So instead, I hired a local Turkmen to drive me from Ashgabat to Darvaza. Like most Turkmen people, my driver only spoke Turkmen and Russian and did not understand a word of English – It was a strange journey: Blasting Turkmen pop music on the ride and struggling to understand anything each other said, leaving the glamorous Ashgabat for the inhabitable Karakum Desert that covers 80% of the country.
@Darvaza達瓦札
達瓦札燃氣坑 “Door to Hell”, a burning gas crater located near the village of Darvaza, in the middle of the Karakum Desert 160 miles north of Ashgabat. In 1971, geologists set the gas crater on fire to prevent the spread of poisonous gases into nearby village, expected that the gas would burn out within a few weeks. But instead, this 100-foot-deep gas crater has continued to burn for more than four decades.
//
Originally I planned on taking a train from Ashgabat to Darvaza: There is one train per day going from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, near the Uzbekistan border, and stops half way in Darvaza – Logistically this is less than ideal, as the train would arrive in Darvaza before noon and I would have to spend half a day in the desert before seeing the sunset scene of the gas crater. So instead, I hired a local Turkmen to drive me from Ashgabat to Darvaza. Like most Turkmen people, my driver only spoke Turkmen and Russian and did not understand a word of English – It was a strange journey: Blasting Turkmen pop music on the ride and struggling to understand anything each other said, leaving the glamorous Ashgabat for the inhabitable Karakum Desert that covers 80% of the country.
@Darvaza達瓦札
達瓦札燃氣坑 “Door to Hell”, a burning gas crater located near the village of Darvaza, in the middle of the Karakum Desert 160 miles north of Ashgabat. In 1971, geologists set the gas crater on fire to prevent the spread of poisonous gases into nearby village, expected that the gas would burn out within a few weeks. But instead, this 100-foot-deep gas crater has continued to burn for more than four decades.
//
Originally I planned on taking a train from Ashgabat to Darvaza: There is one train per day going from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, near the Uzbekistan border, and stops half way in Darvaza – Logistically this is less than ideal, as the train would arrive in Darvaza before noon and I would have to spend half a day in the desert before seeing the sunset scene of the gas crater. So instead, I hired a local Turkmen to drive me from Ashgabat to Darvaza. Like most Turkmen people, my driver only spoke Turkmen and Russian and did not understand a word of English – It was a strange journey: Blasting Turkmen pop music on the ride and struggling to understand anything each other said, leaving the glamorous Ashgabat for the inhabitable Karakum Desert that covers 80% of the country.
@Darvaza達瓦札
達瓦札燃氣坑 “Door to Hell”, a burning gas crater located near the village of Darvaza, in the middle of the Karakum Desert 160 miles north of Ashgabat. In 1971, geologists set the gas crater on fire to prevent the spread of poisonous gases into nearby village, expected that the gas would burn out within a few weeks. But instead, this 100-foot-deep gas crater has continued to burn for more than four decades.
//
Originally I planned on taking a train from Ashgabat to Darvaza: There is one train per day going from Ashgabat to Dashoguz, near the Uzbekistan border, and stops half way in Darvaza – Logistically this is less than ideal, as the train would arrive in Darvaza before noon and I would have to spend half a day in the desert before seeing the sunset scene of the gas crater. So instead, I hired a local Turkmen to drive me from Ashgabat to Darvaza. Like most Turkmen people, my driver only spoke Turkmen and Russian and did not understand a word of English – It was a strange journey: Blasting Turkmen pop music on the ride and struggling to understand anything each other said, leaving the glamorous Ashgabat for the inhabitable Karakum Desert that covers 80% of the country.
@Darvaza達瓦札
My driver cooking lamb kebab. He only speaks Turkmen and Russian.
@Darvaza達瓦札
Other craters near Darvaza.
@Darvaza達瓦札
Other craters near Darvaza.
@Darvaza達瓦札
Other craters near Darvaza.
@Darvaza達瓦札
80% of Turkmenistan’s land is inhabitable desert. Most of the 5 millions Turkmenistan population live in cities along the borders of Iran and Uzbekistan. Ashgabat, the capital, is only about 15 miles from the Iranian border.
@Erbent艾班
80% of Turkmenistan’s land is inhabitable desert. Most of the 5 millions Turkmenistan population live in cities along the borders of Iran and Uzbekistan. Ashgabat, the capital, is only about 15 miles from the Iranian border.
@Erbent艾班
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
遜尼派穆斯林 Turkmenistan is a Muslim country: 90% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but Turkmen women do not wear hijabs. They wear traditional Turkmen dresses and are highly fashionable.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
吉責清真寺 Also known as Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, Gypjak Mosque is a mosque in the village of Gypjak, hometown of President Saparmurat Niyazov, located 8 miles west of Ashgabat. This mosque was opened in 2004 and was built by Niyazov with a mausoleum in preparation for his death. Niyazov died in 2006 and was buried in the mausoleum; the mosque has been at the center of controversy as scriptures from both the Quran and the Ruhnama (Niyazov’s version of the national Bible) are built into the walls – Some Muslims question whether it is appropriate to place the Ruhnama as the Quran’s equal. Nonetheless, there is no question that both the exterior and interior of the mosque look absolutely stunning.
@Gypjak吉責
土庫曼堡陵墓 The entire city of Ashgabat was wiped out during the earthquake in 1948. The mother and two brothers of former president Saparmurat Niyazov died on the same day. Along with himself and his father, they were buried at Turkmenbashi Mausoleum right across from Gypjak Mosque.
@Gypjak吉責
土庫曼堡陵墓 The entire city of Ashgabat was wiped out during the earthquake in 1948. The mother and two brothers of former president Saparmurat Niyazov died on the same day. Along with himself and his father, they were buried at Turkmenbashi Mausoleum right across from Gypjak Mosque.
@Gypjak吉責
艾奥迪酒店 Yyldyz Hotel, a 24-story luxury hotel in Ashgabat.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
婚禮宮殿 Wedding Palace, where local Turkmen get their wedding license.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
哥畢迪山脈 Kopet Dag mountain range, along the Turkmenistan-Iran border.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
哥畢迪山脈 Kopet Dag mountain range, along the Turkmenistan-Iran border.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
哥畢迪山脈 Kopet Dag mountain range, along the Turkmenistan-Iran border.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
In Ashgabat, everyone is a cabbie. Just stick out your arm and see who stops. Almost anyone with a car is willing to give you a ride for a couple of bucks – But don’t expect anyone to speak English: Most Turkmen only speak Turkmen and Russian.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Otherwise local buses are quite convenient as well. 0.5 manats (USD $0.03) per ride regardless of distance.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
魯赫納瑪紀念碑 Ruhnama Monument. The Ruhnama (Book of the Soul) is a book written by President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. It is mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, and employees are tested on the book at job interviews. The book was intended as the spiritual guidance of the nation and a heroic interpretation of its history – In other words, Turkmenbashi wrote his own national Bible.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
獨立紀念碑 Independence Monument, to commemorate the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, after the fall of the Soviet Union. After Turkmenistan’s independence, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi continued as the country’s chief of state, replacing communism with his own brand of independent nationalism. The design of the building was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and headgear worn by Turkmen girls. The building is surrounded by 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Niyazov.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
中立紀念碑 Monument of Neutrality. The 3-legged arch, which became locally known as “The Tripod”, was built in 1998 to commemorate the country’s official position of neutrality. That means the country was in non-combatant status and would hold itself permanently as neutral in all future conflicts, including avoiding entering into military alliances such as NATO (until the end of Turkmenbashi’a presidency). The monument has a massive gold statue of the previous president Saparmurat Turkmenbashi on the top.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
中立紀念碑 Monument of Neutrality. The 3-legged arch, which became locally known as “The Tripod”, was built in 1998 to commemorate the country’s official position of neutrality. That means the country was in non-combatant status and would hold itself permanently as neutral in all future conflicts, including avoiding entering into military alliances such as NATO (until the end of Turkmenbashi’a presidency). The monument has a massive gold statue of the previous president Saparmurat Turkmenbashi on the top.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
中立紀念碑 Monument of Neutrality. The 3-legged arch, which became locally known as “The Tripod”, was built in 1998 to commemorate the country’s official position of neutrality. That means the country was in non-combatant status and would hold itself permanently as neutral in all future conflicts, including avoiding entering into military alliances such as NATO (until the end of Turkmenbashi’a presidency). The monument has a massive gold statue of the previous president Saparmurat Turkmenbashi on the top.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Vodka is the most popular drink in Turkmenistan, throwback to the Soviet days. Seriously cheap, it costs less than bottled water. But the cheaper stuff tastes like rocket fuel. Spend a couple more bucks to get the more drinkable ones. I don’t usually drink hard liquor but since I am here might as well give it a try.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
I bet only post-Soviet countries sell lemon soda with the face of Joseph Stalin.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
俄羅斯市集 Russian Bazaar, where camel’s milk (chal), a sour fermented drink, is being sold.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
阿萊姆中心 Alem Center, contains a Ferris wheel known as Alem in an enclosed structure. Alem, meaning “The Universe”, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space at the time of the opening ceremony.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
阿萊姆中心 Alem Center, contains a Ferris wheel known as Alem in an enclosed structure. Alem, meaning “The Universe”, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space at the time of the opening ceremony.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
阿萊姆中心 Alem Center, contains a Ferris wheel known as Alem in an enclosed structure. Alem, meaning “The Universe”, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space at the time of the opening ceremony.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
阿萊姆中心 Alem Center, contains a Ferris wheel known as Alem in an enclosed structure. Alem, meaning “The Universe”, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space at the time of the opening ceremony.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
The city is obsessed with cleanliness and everywhere you go there are constantly workers sweeping the floor, making the streets sparkling clean. If you drive in Ashgabat, you must be always washing your car: You get a ticket if the police sees you with a dusty car.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
憲法紀念碑 Constitution Monument, built in 2008 to honor the 20th anniversary of the Constitution of Turkmenistan.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Turkmenistan has extreme desert climate: Temperature can reach as high as 50’C (122’F) in the summer and below freezing in the winter. Therefore many of these white marble bus stations in Ashgabat are equipped with air conditioning.
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Otherwise, unofficial taxis are everywhere: Just stick out your arm and see who stops. Almost anyone with a car is willing to give you a ride for a couple of bucks – In Ashgabat everyone is a cabbie. Turkmenistan is a safe country to travel and Turkmen people are friendly toward foreigners. Crime is very rare, and against foreigners even rarer.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
After the entire city getting wiped out during the earthquake in 1948, Ashgabat was then rebuilt in the Soviet style and Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Ashgabat has been designed, at the cost of billions of dollars, to show the world about the glories and accomplishments of the Turkmen. The city looks like none other on earth – Endless collections of white marble buildings everywhere you go.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
After the entire city getting wiped out during the earthquake in 1948, Ashgabat was then rebuilt in the Soviet style and Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Ashgabat has been designed, at the cost of billions of dollars, to show the world about the glories and accomplishments of the Turkmen. The city looks like none other on earth – Endless collections of white marble buildings everywhere you go.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
俄羅斯市集 Russian Bazaar, where camel’s milk (chal), a sour fermented drink, is being sold.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
列寧雕像 Statue of Vladimir Lenin. Vladimir Lenin, a Russian communist theorist, one of the most controversial political figures in the 20th century. Being arrested at a young age for engaging in Marxist activities, Lenin developed his own interpretation of Marxism and believed that society could not transform directly from its present state to communism, but must first enter a period of socialism. Lenin believed that humanity would eventually reach pure communism, becoming a stateless and classless society of workers free from exploitation.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
列寧雕像 Statue of Vladimir Lenin. Vladimir Lenin, a Russian communist theorist, one of the most controversial political figures in the 20th century. Being arrested at a young age for engaging in Marxist activities, Lenin developed his own interpretation of Marxism and believed that society could not transform directly from its present state to communism, but must first enter a period of socialism. Lenin believed that humanity would eventually reach pure communism, becoming a stateless and classless society of workers free from exploitation.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Saparmurat “Turkmenbashi” Niyazov, President of Turkmenistan from 1990-2006 (16 years). Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan from 2006-present (13 years).
Niyazov studied electrical engineering in Saint Petersburg, Russia (formerly Leningrad of the Soviet Union). Berdimuhamedow was a dentist by profession and served as Niyazov’a Minister of Health.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
The Ruhnama is a book written by President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. It is widely regarded as Turkmenistan’s national Bible and has been translated into 41 languages.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Flagpole outside the National Museum of Turkmenistan.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
奧運體育館 Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Olympic Stadium, where the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games were held.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Turkmenistan is not a very diverse country: 85% of the population is Turkmen, while the rest are mostly Uzbeks and Russians. But I was told that there is a booth in Teke Bazaar where a North Korean family sells kimchi. I decided to come check it out and buy some kimchi from them.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
While at Russian Bazaar, I bought a copy of the English version of Ruhnama, national bible of Turkmenistan written by former president Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. It is a big book and I don’t have time to read it now, so I will be shipping it home before leaving the country.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
阿什哈巴德國際機場 Ashgabat International Airport is part of former president’s aspiration to transform Turkmenistan into “the new Kuwait”: It has an unusual terminal design featuring a Turkmen bird and costed a whopping $2.3 billion to build. It was opened right before the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Another reason why most independent travelers skip Turkmenistan is because of its affordability: Ashgabat has next-to-no acceptable budget options (hostel / Airbnb), very few mid-range options, and tons of top-end luxury accommodations. It is almost impossible to stay in Ashgabat without spending a few hundred dollars a night on hotel.
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Sport Hotel, located in the heart of Ashgabat right next to the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, is the official hotel for the US Embassy project. The hotel was built specifically for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Another reason why most independent travelers skip Turkmenistan is because of its affordability: Ashgabat has next-to-no acceptable budget options (hostel / Airbnb), very few mid-range options, and tons of top-end luxury accommodations. It is almost impossible to stay in Ashgabat without spending a few hundred dollars a night on hotel.
//
Sport Hotel, located in the heart of Ashgabat right next to the Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, is the official hotel for the US Embassy project. The hotel was built specifically for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
Ever since I came to Turkmenistan, my corporate iPhone, even with international roaming enabled, have not been working at all. It shows I am connected to the Turkmen TM Cell network, but there is still zero internet access. The only time my phone can access the internet is when I connect to hotel wifi. Even then, internet access is filtered unless I connect to VPN. The moment I step out of the hotel, I am disconnected from the rest of the world.
@Ashgabat阿什哈巴德
