Top Things to do in Turkmenistan
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan
Discover the best top things to do in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan including Ancient Merv - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kunya-Urgench - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ertugrul Gazi Mosque, Gypjak Mosque, Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts, Geokdepe, Monument Arch of Neutrality, Ashgabat hippodrome, Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tolkuchka-Basar.
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1. Ancient Merv - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
The old oasis-city has a fortress, mosques and mausoleum of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
We visited Merv as a day trip from Ashgabat by plane. We spent 3 hours on the site but realised that we had missed some important attractions, so it is critical that you do some research before visiting to ensure that all the areas that you wish to visit in the ancient cities are agreed with your tour company. The ancient site is comprised of four sections; Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, Sultan Kala and Abdullah Khan Kala. Depending on the historical period or architecture that you are interested in, you can plan your time in each area accordingly. There are also a few other mausoleums and ruins which are located just outside the ancient city walls. On arriving at the entrance to the Merv complex, it will be necessary to pay a camera fee which was 11 manat. A wide paved road runs from the entrance through Sultan Kala and continues just north of Erk Kala. There are many narrow roads which branch off this main road and lead to the various attractions, some of which are dirt roads. It is essential to have a car at this site, as it was once the largest city in the world in the 12th century and is probably too hot to walk to the various attractions. We saw locals using donkey carts, bicycles and other means of transport. We started by turning right on entry towards the structures of Kyz Bibi, Greater Kyz Kala and Lesser Kyz Kala. Kyz Bibi is to the left a short drive on a dirt road. You can park at Greater Kyz Kala, however there is no access , but photos can be taken. Lesser Kyz Kala is a short walk south, and you will be able to walk the ruins here. We continued to the southern section of Sultan Kala, which was expanded in 1418 by the Timurids, where we visited the Ashkab Complex and sardoba. I would advise that you then head in a northerly direction and take a right on the dirt path that leads into Gyaur Kala. There is not much to see in the ancient city which was built by the Selucids and also occupied by the Sasanids until 651. If you are interested in buddhism, a stupa is covered with earth to preserve it, and represents the westernmost area of buddhist expansion. The ruins of an ancient Mosque is also on a dirt path north of this area. Photos can be taken of the Erk Kala fortress area from here. If you head back out on the paved road, it will lead to Erk Kala which is the site of Alexandria, the fortress city which Alexander the Great captured from the Persian Empire in 330 BC. If you head back to the paved path you will pass the mosque and mausoleum of Yusuf Hamadani on the way into Sultan Kala, which was the main city between 651-1221. The main attractions here are the Sultans fort (palace) and the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar. The last attraction in the complex is to the right, heading back towards the entrance, the Zeyd mausoleum. Abdullah Khan Kala, constructed in 1418, is a short drive south outside the Merv complex heading back into town, and do not miss the golden statue of Sultan Sanjar, which is on your left on the main road through town.
2. Kunya-Urgench - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By PandaHouston - Houston, United States
We came here as part of a 3 day / 2 night tour with Owadan Tour (see separate review - highly recommend them). After we were picked up at the Dashoguz border, we came here for a quick tour. We spent 1 hour here. The entrance fee is 21 manats per person and another 7 manat for camera fee. The area is not small and we had to be driven from one area to the next. The buildings have been nicely restored.
3. Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 576RobertC576 - Redlands, United States
Our guide took us here after spending a good deal of time in the eerily empty White City. Here we found some normalcy. People coming for prayers. The mosque is beautiful. The striped columns are reminiscent of the mosque Cordoba, Spain and it does look much like the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. This was my favorite spot in Ashgabat.
4. Gypjak Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By mylestan - Romblon Island, Philippines
This is a big mosque with nice ornate tiles and inscriptions of allah everywhere. It's a nice place to drop by and take pictures
5. Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts
6. Geokdepe
7. Monument Arch of Neutrality
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By Maral_VEL - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
I go there quite often. Every local or guest of the capital also likes to go there during nice weather. And the weather is nice for most part of the year. You will see lots of people making picnics during summer evenings. The monument is surrounded with big park. And during summer times, when even the evenings are hot, the place is relatively pleasant, because it is located higher from the rest part of the city and there are lots of greenery which is regularly watered. So, you might want to take a blanket and something to eat or watch when you go there. Also, there are bike rentals. There is a restaurant there and you can find a toilet if you need to. the monument itself is beautiful. The ticket costs really cheap if you are Turkmen citizen. Anyways, no one is checking passports when you get into elevator. Elevator takes you up to the monument. There is small museum like thing inside. Also you can take another elevator to the top and see the magnificent city. there are covered places for picnics on a rainy day and lots of benches if you do not like the idea of sitting on the grass or if you forgot to take blanket with you or if the grass is still damp from recent watering. Always pleasant experience no matter you go there for picnic or for the view. Also, if it is a holiday season or something and you know that there will be fireworkds, the area around monument provides good view to the whole city and the fireworks. you do not need to go up to the top of the monument for a view. Adviced.
8. Ashgabat hippodrome
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By O2926XWandreww - Saranda, Albania
Awesome experience! Local name is Bedow Hippodrome. Great place to see beautiful Turkmenistan Akhal-Teke horses race. Truly magestic animals. Grandstand has various sections you can watch the races from. Also, there is a huge video screen that shows you details about each horse, name, and live action. When in Ashgabat, if you get the opportunity to go see a race, you gotta go. 10/10 A+!
9. Parthian Fortresses of Nisa - UNESCO World Heritage Site
10. Tolkuchka-Basar
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