Ashgabat is like no other city in the world, genuinely! Many cities around the world claim this. Dubai claims to be unique, but take away the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab and it has a feeling similar to Manama in Bahrain or Doha in Qatar. Likewise with Paris or Berlin, or even London – take away the Big Ben, Reichstag and the Eiffel Tower and they just feel like beautiful European cities. Ashgabat is genuinely unique with its sea of perfect white marble buildings covered in gold trim, 10 lane highways through residential areas with streets so clean you could eat off them. Buildings that only exist usually in computer games such as Sim City.
Once you’ve seen the Gates of Hell, you’ll feel a connection to it for the rest of your life. I don’t think anyone has properly explained this before, but there is just an immense sense of awe, coupled with an intimacy that few world-famous sites have. This burning gas crater may have changed in the last few years with fences and nearby yurts being built for those not committed enough to camp in the natural beauty of the Karakum Desert, but after years of a global pandemic I think we’re all happy to be a bit more forgiving and just take in the beauty that is this man-made phenomenon.
Few countries do events like Turkmenistan. Whether it’s Independence Day celebrations, the Horse Festival, the Melon Festival, New Years or just a travel exhibition, the Turkmen really put on a show. Dancing, music, and pageantry all on a huge scale. It’s not just the events themselves but the excitement surrounding the events. Unlike in many countries, things aren’t left to chance and things are planned to be perfect. Likewise, you’ll see locals in their most formal clothing, dressed immaculately.
This one isn’t specifically unique to Turkmenistan and the country isn’t exactly a foodie’s paradise. When you’re thinking of the world’s great cuisines, French, Italian, Japanese or Vietnamese for examples, Turkmen cuisine doesn’t usually come to mind. However, there is something special about sitting down at a shashlik restaurant or roadside café eating large chunks of marinated meat (or vegetables) for as cheap as 50 cents, while drinking equally cheap beers just enjoying the atmosphere of locals relaxing. At these salt of the earth type establishments, you’re not just limited to shashliks either.
There is something so special about the endless blue skies and amazing natural sites of this unique country. From Yangykala Canyon in the west of the country, the Karakum Desert through the centre, the Kopetdag mountains which form the natural land border to the south with Iran or the fertile agricultural land along the country’s rivers and canals, there is something amazing about driving through the wide open expanses in this huge land mass. Turkmenistan being so sparsely populated also means that there are lots of places where you feel like you’re the only people around, and that’s because you usually are. Driving through Turkmenistan and arriving at small villages with their unique markets and friendly locals also perfectly juxtapositions the dizzying glitz and glamour of the capital, Ashgabat.
Co-founder of SAIGAtours, Ben is known for his extensive trivia knowledge, which comes in very handy for long bus rides! He loves a good road trip and has a passion for driving some of the most dangerous and exciting roads in the world. When not traveling he loves playing and watching sport, and is an excellent squash player.
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