Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital, is one of the craziest cities we have ever visited. The buildings are as pompous and oversized as in an architectural competition. The whole city shines in white, everything is polished and ordered in a flash.


Although Ashgabat is located in the middle of the desert, there are fountains and green areas with a lawn everywhere, where any German golf course would turn green with envy. The streets are clean, multi-lane, but deserted… we feel like we are walking through a monopoly game.
What country is Ashgabat in?
With its wide boulevards and shiny white buildings, most of which were built only after the end of the Soviet era, Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, presents itself surprisingly modern to its visitors. The big city, located in an oasis of the Karakum Desert, is still relatively young and therefore does not have the winding inner-city districts that are typical for other cities in the region. Nevertheless, even in Ashgabat, the old traditions are still alive, which is evident not only in the flourishing carpet craft. As a regional center, the flourishing metropolis also offers numerous museums and cultural facilities that make it possible to immerse yourself in the rich cultural history of the border area with Iran.
Is Ashgabat in Russia?
Why does Ashgabat look empty?
Is Turkmenistan a part of Russia?