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Ashgabat

Turkmenistan's capital and largest city, Ashgabat is an urban oasis. It is set amidst the vast, sprawling sands of the Kara Kum desert and the craggy peaks of the Kopet Dag mountain range which separates the country from neighboring Iran. With humble beginnings as a village established by the Russians in 1881, the city lies on the ancient Silk Road route and near to the site of the historic Parthian capital of Nisa. With a deep thread of history and a recent rapid growth in popularity and development, Ashgabat is a glorious clash of old and new Turkmenistan.

Ashgabat and its surroundings are packed with monuments to the past, from ancient, crumbling fortresses of long forgotten empires to beautiful statues celebrating the country's independence. Immaculately manicured lawns and intricately-tiled walls characterize the city center while for miles around, sites of interest include historic ruins and rugged scenery.

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10th Independence Anniversary Monument

Ten years after Turkmenistan’s independence was secured, a statue of ten horses was erected in the Park of Independence. Set on an eight-pointed star, the Akhal Teke horses are surrounded by fountains with which water displays are given.

Akhal-Teke horse stud farm

Turkmenistan is famed for its proud lineage of beautiful, distinctive Akhal-Teke horses with their lean frames and elegant poise, renowned for their speed and grace. Historically valued by the Turkmen tribesmen, and declared a national treasure since Turkmenistan’s independence in 1991, Akhal-Teke breeding is considered an art-form and visitors flock to Ashgabat’s stud farms to see, meet and ride these famous and beautiful creatures.

Carpet Museum

Boasting the largest collection of Turkmen carpets anywhere in the world, the Carpet Museum of Ashgabat displays a range from the medieval period to the 20th century. The star attraction is the Guinness World Record-winning hand-woven carpet, the largest of its kind in the world.

Earthquake Museum

Beneath a dramatic monument of a bull and a golden baby, the Earthquake Museum of Ashgabat contains heartbreaking photography of the 1948 disaster as well as information on the mammoth clean-up operation that ensued.

Ertugrul Gazi Mosque

Named after the father of the Ottoman Empire, this elaborate and beautiful Turkish-style mosque is one of the largest in the city and was opened in 1998. Decorated with stunning tiled mosaics and luxurious carpets, the mosque is carved from marble and the cavernous domed prayer hall accommodates up to 5,000 worshippers.

Geok Depe Mosque

Just a forty-minute drive west of the city lie the ruins of the ancient fortress of Geok Depe and the modern Saparmyrat Haji Mosque. The stunning marble mosque with its turquoise domes is a striking sight amidst the desert sands.

Kipchak Mosque

The elaborate and beautiful golden-domed mosque, located just a short drive west of the city, was opened in 2004. Built by President Saparmurat Niyazov who is now buried in its tomb, its walls bear writings from the Quran.

Kopet Dag Mountains

The sweeping spines of the Kopet Dag mountains lie on the Turkmenistan-Iran frontier, to the southwest of Ashgabat. The peaks are popular with climbers, hikers and horseriders in search of a little Akhal Teke authenticity.

Kov-Ata

On the northern slopes of the Kopet Dag mountains, just over sixty miles from Ashgabat, lies the enigmatic underground lake of Kov-Ata, or ‘Father of Caves’. Visitors flock for the healing powers of the sulphur springs here.

Monument and Park of Independence

The symbol of modern Turkmenistan, the park contains the enormous Monument of Independence, boasting the highest spire in the country. Set amidst green lawns and sparkling fountains, the monument is surrounded by statues of the country’s great figures.

National Museum of History and Ethnography

With a number of vast halls covering Turkmenistan’s checkered history, the National Museum houses Bronze Age artifacts, items from ancient Nisa as well as information on post-independence Turkmenistan.

Old Nisa

Just over nine miles to the west of the city lies the site of Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian empire. Upon the hill are the remnants of the earthen ramparts that encircle the inner complexes where archaeological wonders of the empire were discovered.

Tolkuchka Sunday Market

One of the most colorful and bustling bazaars in all of central Asia, the Tolkuchka bazaar sprawls out over the city’s outskirts with thousands of shoppers haggling and bargaining over everything from livestock to carpets.

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TURKMENISTAN Regions

MAJOR AREAS

ASHGABAT

DAMLA

DARVAZA (DOOR TO HELL)

Nusay Hotel

After extensive renovations, the four-star Nusay Hotel in Ashgabat reopened in May 2011 and is now considered as one of the higher quality hotels in the Turkmenistan capital. The five-storey building also enjoys one of the best locations in the city, just a short walk or taxi drive away from some of the main attractions in Ashgabat such as the Main Square, the Monument of Independence, President’s Residence, Palace of Congresses and Arts and the international airport is just a 20-minute drive away. The 128 comfortable and spacious rooms all come with air-conditioning/heating, television sets, in-room safes, minibars and have Wi-Fi available throughout. Elsewhere, guests can enjoy Nusay Hotel’s outdoor pool and bar area, on-site restaurant, spa, fitness room and sauna.

Ak Altyn Hotel

Ak Altyn Hotel is a modern four-star hotel located just outside Ashgabat city center in some more tranquil, leafy surroundings, whilst all the main tourist attractions of the Turkmenistan capital can be reached in just a few minutes. This 10-storey hotel was recently refurbished, and the 100 well-appointed guestrooms here all include air conditioning, satellite TV, international telephones, a mini-bar, in-room safes and elegant en-suite bathrooms. Ak Altyn Hotel also has its own large restaurant which serves up a buffet breakfast spread every morning, as well as an on-site swimming pool, bar, conference room, sauna and salon. Popular attractions nearby include the Independence Monument and the National Museum, both of which can be reached on foot or via a cheap taxi ride.

Grand Turkmen Hotel

The five-star Grand Turkmen Hotel is one of the most luxurious and famous hotels in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, and is located right in the heart of this bustling city. Rooms here come with all the facilities you’d expect with any five-star hotel, and guests can also enjoy the added convenience of having on-site cooking facilities, various dining options, an elegant swimming pool and a fitness suite, massage and sauna room. From the comfort of the hotel, some of the city’s standout attractions, including Independence Monument and the National Museum, are just a short walk or drive away, and the immediate area is full of lively restaurants, bars and cafes. The Grand Turkmen Hotel also caters for a wide range of tastes at its large all-day restaurant which serves up Asian, European and international flavours. There’s also an on-site casino and disco for some entertainment after the sun goes down over Ashgabat.

Oguzkent Hotel

The Oguzkent Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Not only is this vast hotel a spectacular sight from the outside with its concave glass design, but all 299 rooms impress too, with tastefully-decorated interiors, lavish en-suite bathrooms and a whole host of modern conveniences that give this hotel its five-star status. Elsewhere at this centrally-located hotel, guests are free to use the high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and have access to three different swimming pools, a gym, spa and sauna as well as a huge all-day restaurant that serves up one of the best breakfast buffets in town every morning. The Oguzkent Hotel is located approximately 20 minutes from the international airport of Ashgabat, and the nearby area is safe, and full of lively local restaurants and cafes.

Yyldyz Hotel

Yyldyz Hotel, built in 2013, is located in the foothills of Kopetdag, which offers sprawling views of the city. The hotel has 155 guest rooms and is a 20 minute drive from the airport. Yyldyz Hotel's facilities include a fully-fitted spa & beauty salon, sauna, fitness center, 2 indoor swimming pools, 1 outdoor pool with jacuzzi, tennis courts and a volleyball court. There are three on-site restaurants offering international fare, spread on the 18th and 19th floors, offering panoramic views of the city. There are also four bars , a tea room, and a disco club.

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