A comprehensive guide to Turkmenistan's spectacular Darvaza "Gate of Hell" including security, visas, and sightseeing spots

We would like to provide a comprehensive guide to Turkmenistan's highlights, including its majestic streets made of pure white marble and the prehistoric city ruins of the Parthian Fortress of Nisa, along with basic information.

Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country known as the "land of mystery." In fact, it is a "mysterious country" with many attractions such as the "Gates of Hell" in Darvaza and the World Heritage Site "Parthian Fortresses of Nisa." Here we will introduce basic information you should know when visiting Turkmenistan, such as its climate, security, and recommended tourist spots.

[What is Turkmenistan?] A Central Asian republic blessed with abundant natural resources

Turkmenistan is a small country with a population of about 5.2 million people, with a land area about 1.3 times that of Japan. 85% of the country is covered by desert, and the country is blessed with abundant natural resources, including abundant natural gas underground and oil in the Caspian Sea. In particular, Turkmenistan boasts the fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world, and the reserves are exported to various countries.

The majority of the inhabitants are Turkmen, and the official language is Turkmen.
Since the area was once under Russian rule, Russian is also widely spoken.

Many of the people here are Sunni Muslims, and the city is naturally filled with Islamic architecture. The capital city of Ashgabat is particularly worth seeing, with many unique buildings that are rarely seen in other countries.

[Turkmenistan's climate and temperature] In summer, the maximum temperature can exceed 50 degrees. There is almost no rain.

Almost the entire area is desert, so the temperature difference between day and night, and between summer and winter is drastic. The summer heat is severe, and the temperature can rise to over 50 degrees Celsius. It is so hot that it is said that it takes two minutes to fry an egg on the hood of a car.

There is almost no rain throughout the year and the climate is dry, so it is essential to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, etc. To prevent heatstroke, be sure to drink plenty of water when you go out sightseeing.

[Security in Turkmenistan] Relatively safe, but caution required near borders with neighboring countries

The people of Turkmenistan are peaceful and prefer a stable life. In addition, the government maintains security well under the de facto dictatorship of the current President Berdimuhamedov, and the security situation in Turkmenistan is relatively good compared to neighboring countries, which is something the Turkmen people are proud of.

However, in recent years, income disparity has become an issue, and according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, some areas have seen a slight deterioration in public safety. If you visit, you should take at least a minimum of caution, such as being wary of pickpockets in crowded areas. There are also some unique rules, such as foreign tourists generally being prohibited from going out after 8 p.m. (there are exceptions, such as if accompanied by a guide, it is OK).

The area you need to be most careful of is near the border with Afghanistan. There have been many cases of terrorist activities by extremist militant groups and kidnappings of foreigners in Afghanistan, so it is best not to go there without careful consideration.

[Preparation and precautions for entering Turkmenistan] A visa and invitation letter are required to enter the country

So what preparations do you need to make if you want to travel to Turkmenistan? We will introduce some points of concern, such as how to obtain a visa and the internet environment.

Tips for applying for a tourist visa

Of course, you need to get a tourist visa to enter the country for tourism purposes, and for that you need an invitation letter. It is like a letter of recommendation from Turkmenistan, and is generally applied for through a Japanese travel agency or a local travel agency.

In addition, independent travel is not permitted, and your itinerary will be strictly checked. Be sure to discuss your airfare, hotel accommodation, local guide, etc. with your travel agency when applying.

Direct exchange from Japanese yen is not possible.

The currency is the Turkmenistani Manat (TMT). It is not possible to exchange Japanese yen for TMT locally. First, exchange your money for US dollars or Russian rubles at a bank or airport in Japan. After that, you will need to exchange your US dollars or Russian rubles for TMT at the airport or hotel after arriving in Turkmenistan. Many places do not accept credit cards, so it is a good idea to bring plenty of cash.

Even if Wi-Fi is available, you can't use social media.

One of the reasons Turkmenistan is called a "mysterious country" is the government's strict information control. Even if you have Wi-Fi, you cannot use social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LINE, which are familiar in Japan, and you cannot watch YouTube content. In addition, there are many places where photography is prohibited, such as the presidential palace, so you need to be careful about where you point your camera.

[Gates of Hell] A mysterious and spectacular sight that has been burning for over 45 years

If you visit Turkmenistan, you should definitely see the giant, burning crater known as the Gates of Hell. The 90m-diameter hole in the desert continues to spew out red-hot flames, and its terrifying appearance is just like the entrance to hell.

In fact, this hole was originally a cave. It "became" a hole in 1971, when geologists discovered a cave filled with abundant natural gas while conducting a drilling survey. During the work to extract natural gas, Turkmenistan's main industry, the rock collapsed, creating a huge crater that emitted flammable and toxic gas.

At the time, people tried to stop the release of toxic gas by setting the place on fire, but the gas continues to leak from underground, so the flames have continued to burn for over 45 years to this day.

No one knows when it will run out, as the amount of gas in the ground is unknown.

However, such abundant resources cannot be left unattended forever, and in 2010 it was reported that President Berdimuhamedov visited the site and ordered the hole to be sealed or not hinder the development of surrounding gas fields.

The Gate of Hell is located about 260km north of the capital, Ashgabat. It is located near the village of Darvaza, surrounded by the desert. It may no longer be visible in the near future, so why not go and see it for yourself before that happens?

[Parthian Fortresses of Nisa] A World Heritage Site still being excavated

Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, has long been thought of as a blank zone devoid of civilization, but it has recently become clear that there were in fact many oasis cities there that served as relay points on the Silk Road.

One of them is the Parthian Fortress of Nisa, a World Heritage Site that is still being excavated.

Nisa is located at the foot of the Kopetdag Mountains, just 15-18km west of Ashgabat International Airport.
It was the capital of the Parthian Empire, which was so powerful that it was said to be the arch-rival of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century BC, and valuable artefacts such as Venus statues and ivory cups have been excavated here. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

The fortress complex consists of the inner citadel, where the royal palace was located, and the commercial district surrounding it. As most of it is made of earth, much of it has weathered away, but the four pillars and the throne from the time still remain in the King's Hall.

The excavated Venus statue and other artifacts are on display at the National Museum in Ashgabat, so it is recommended to go see them as well.

[Ancient Merv] The largest ruins in Central Asia, containing buildings from all religions

Ancient Merv, located about 30km east of Mari, Turkmenistan's second largest industrial city, about 300km from Ashgabat, is a little older than Nisa and is the largest oasis city in Central Asia, which flourished from the 6th century BC to the 18th century. Its remains, the National Historical and Cultural Park "Ancient Merv", was registered as Turkmenistan's first World Heritage Site in 1999.

It is said that the city's population reached one million at its peak, and ruins are scattered all over the surrounding area.

The site is characterized by the discovery of remains related to various religions, including Zoroastrianism, Islam, and Christianity, as well as an 8.5cm seated Buddha statue and Buddhist scriptures excavated from the remains of a Buddhist temple.

In addition, there are many other attractions that are unique to a city that flourished during the heyday of the Silk Road, and it continues to fascinate the many travelers who visit.

[Capital city Ashgabat] A city made of marble, certified by Guinness

Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, is a gorgeous city.

In particular, in the new town, white buildings stand everywhere you look, and what's surprising is that most of them are made of marble.

It is said that the reason is President Berdimuhamedov's unrivaled love of white, so not only the presidential palace but also the hotels and apartments are all white. The city is also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as having the most marble buildings in the world.

Just walking around the city is well worth seeing, but the gorgeous buildings scattered throughout the city are a must-see. Here are some recommended spots where you can see buildings typical of Turkmenistan.

Neutrality Arch

Turkmenistan has been a permanently neutral country since 1995, and this rocket-like arch was built to commemorate that. It is 75 meters high, and at the top is a statue of Saparmurat Niyazov, the first president of Turkmenistan.

Not only is this statue gold-plated, but it also rotates 24 hours a day in sync with the sun, and of course it's gorgeously lit up at night.

The unique design of the Neutrality Arch gives you a sense of what kind of country Turkmenistan is.

By the way, statues of former President Niyazov can be seen all over the city.

Kipchak Mosque

Most Turkmen people are Muslim, so there are many mosques in Ashgabat. Among them, the Kipchak Mosque is the largest in Central Asia and a special place for the Turkmen people.

The Kipchak Mosque, which is also depicted on Turkmenistan's 500 manat banknote, is a large mosque with a beautiful contrast of white and gold. Inside, it has a blue dome ceiling and is luxuriously constructed with handmade carpets. The building itself is impressive and can accommodate about 10,000 people. Non-Muslims are also allowed to enter, so be sure to check it out.

Wedding Palace

As the name suggests, it is a very luxurious wedding venue. In Turkmenistani, it is called Bugt Koshgi, or Temple of Happiness, and is equipped with multiple wedding reception halls, accommodation facilities, restaurants, etc.

The building itself is octagonal, and is said to be the largest star-shaped structure in the world. At the top is a mysterious object that contains the Earth inside a box made up of eight-pointed stars. Turkmenistan is home to many buildings with strange designs like this, giving it an exotic feel.

ALEM Ferris Wheel

Although it is a Ferris wheel, it is entirely made of steel and glass, making it a rare indoor Ferris wheel.

The name Alem (Space) is unique, but what really surprises you is its appearance. It is about 47 meters tall, and since there are no other tall buildings around, it has a strong presence. However, it is difficult to enjoy the view from inside the gondola because of the walls. Of course, it is also lit up, so if you visit at night, you can enjoy a different atmosphere than during the day.

[Turkmenistan Cuisine] Turkmenistan cuisine has many dishes that are easy for Japanese people to eat

Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, is actually said to be the birthplace of pilaf, kebabs, yogurt, and other dishes, and many of these dishes are commonly eaten in Japan.

For example, there are many dishes that are easy for Japanese people to eat, such as "plov" (pilaf), which is eaten at celebratory occasions, and "manti," which are steamed dumplings filled with minced meat, onion, pumpkin, etc.

In larger cities, there are plenty of food stalls to choose from, so you can fully enjoy one of the best parts of traveling: the food.

[Souvenirs from Turkmenistan] We recommend the hand-woven carpets depicted on the national flag

Popular souvenirs include carpets and embroidered products.

Carpets in particular are a traditional industry that are even depicted on the national flag, and their free designs, which use motifs from natural landscapes and living environments, are attractive. Please note that some hand-woven carpets and other items require paperwork when leaving the country, but carpets and embroidered products with exotic patterns are perfect souvenirs.

Turkmenistan: A country full of unknowns

One of the joys of traveling is experiencing new cultures, people with different values, and food. Turkmenistan, a country unfamiliar to most people, is perhaps the perfect destination in this respect.

These unique landscapes, which have been created through a unique history, will not only impress you with their beauty and grandeur, but will also provide you with a valuable experience of being immersed in another world that you cannot experience in your daily life.

Originally posted on July 1, 2016