Turkmenistan Travel Guide
The country is situated in Central Asia. It serves as the western border of its
neighboring Central Asian Republics such as
Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan, and
Kyrgyzstan. It will
be best for travelers to stay away from the country's borders against
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. This is due to the fact that such areas are
considered o have unstable security. In addition to that, the borders are often
filled with landmines.
Turkmenistan is not known for the many travel spots that it offers to its guests
and tourists. The tradition, culture, and way of living serve as the main
attraction of the place. The people who occupy the area form the nomadic
families who are quite popular in the world for their hospitality towards
strangers and travelers. The cities in Turkmenistan were not built by Turkmen.
Rather, these were the product of foreigners who formerly invaded the area. Most
of which where founded by the Iranians, The Russians, and the army of Alexander
the Great.
The land is one of the most unexplored areas in Asia's string of countries along
the Silk Road. In its early years, the country served as a cradle for many
cultures. These include the Persians, Russians, Greeks, and Afghans. Aside from
the semi-nomadic culture that is still prominent in the area, another
awe-inspiring treat for the locals and the tourists is the outstanding mix of
cultures that the country has developed over the years. The tradition and
practices of the Turkmen are characterized by a strong Shamanism influence
spiced with the cultures of the Central Khanates and Mysticism. The country is
also popular for the fascinating handicrafts and detailed architecture and
artifacts that can be found in some of its ancient and ruined spots.
The first stop for any traveler to Turkmenistan is its capital city: Ashgabat.
Asghabat is usually the traveler's point of arrival and assembly area for guided
tours. Lots of monuments of past presidents and rulers have mushroomed all over
the place. Aside from Asghabat, there are also other major cities that a
traveler should see in Turkmenistan. Primary of which is Mary. The city of Mary
is filled with ancient artifacts and ruins of Merv, a legendary Persian town in
the time of Alexander the Great. Other top destinations in Turkmenistan include
the Turkmenbashi and Chardzhou.
The place is the emblem of a money mine. Aside from the fact that it ranks
second among the Central Asian Republics in terms of land area, the country has
one of the largest untouched oil and gas deposits around the globe. The largest
of this unexploited lad is the Karakum, a vast lunar-faced desert occupying
four-fifths of Turkmenistan's land area.
It is best to visit Turkmenistan during its spring and autumn seasons. The best
months would be from april to june or from september to october. Other months
pose problems of food and transportation scarcity.