Ashgabat is what a country. Central Botanical Garden

Ashgabat from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Ashgabat.

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The capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, like most of its “brothers” in Central Asian capitals, traces its history back to a modest settlement of the Tekin tribe. This Turkic-speaking people once took a fancy to a small plot of land in the foothills of the Kopetdag mountain range at the intersection of caravan roads and gave the new place the poetic name Eshg-abad, which literally means “inhabited by lovers.” At the end of the 19th century. The troops of the Russian Empire came to Eshg-abad and founded a military garrison, then they built a railway, and by the beginning of the 20th century, the inconspicuous settlement turned into a completely modern city of 30 thousand people. Today Ashgabat is an amazingly beautiful snow-white city, in which the authentic oriental flavor and European spirit perfectly complement each other: here you can still wander all day long in the narrow passages of noisy bazaars, and then relax in the lounge bar overlooking the Presidential Palace.

How to get to Ashgabat

You can arrive from Moscow to Ashgabat on Turkmenistan Airlines flights departing from the capital of our homeland on all days of the week except Sunday. Another air carrier, S7, flies to the capital of Turkmenistan from Moscow Domodedovo twice a week - on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

From the airport of Turkmenistan named after. The Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi is easily accessible to the city center by taxi or private driver - the trip will cost about 5-6 USD, the exact price should be checked upon boarding.

Prices on the page are as of September 2018.

Search for flights to Ashgabat

Transport in the city

The most convenient way to get around Ashgabat is by taxi, since they are extremely cheap and almost every car, both with and without checkers, is ready to take you to any distance. The tariff must be discussed before boarding the car.

In the city you can also ride trolleybuses and buses - more for the sake of exoticism than for business purposes. Travel in them is even cheaper than in a taxi, but the speed is much lower.

Cuisine and restaurants of Ashgabat

Ashgabat fast food - manti (dumplings with steamed minced lamb) and a variety of “dense” pies with meat, onions and potatoes. In national cuisine restaurants you can eat your fill of pilaf - there are more than 30 varieties of it, as well as try a variety of exotic meat: camel, mountain goat and other wild artiodactyls. Exceptions are pork (according to religious norms) and horse meat, which is prohibited by law.

Another gastronomic “trick” of Turkmenistan is white fish of the Caspian Sea. Sturgeon and stellate sturgeon are especially tasty at Asuda Nusay, on Alisher Navoi Street. In addition, Ashgabat has a lot of establishments serving friendly cuisines - mainly Central Asian, Iranian and Middle Eastern. It’s worth stopping by the Lebanese Dip Club for shawarma, the Turkish Erzurum for national pizza “pide” and the Asian Minara.

Shopping and shops

For inexpensive souvenirs and expensive works of applied art, go to the bazaar with the simple and clear name “tolkuchka”, bustling with life on Saturdays and Sundays not far from the airport (it’s worth taking a taxi). Here you can buy whatever your heart desires - from lamb skin and skullcap to a colorful robe and an intricate carpet. The flea market winds down its activities around 14:00, so it is recommended to go there in the morning. At the Russian bazaar “Gulistan” you can buy fruits and vegetables, clothes, home decoration and other usual market items.

The main “carpet” place in Ashgabat is the store at the Carpet Museum. The cost of products ranges from 10 USD for a modest felt mat to 500 USD for an impeccably woven beautiful carpet. Printed products - books, albums, postcards, etc. can be found in the bookstore at the Ministry of Culture and Miras (in the very center of the city, next to the University).

It is worth finding works of painting in the “Muhammad” art gallery.

Entertainment and attractions of Ashgabat

Considering the short “adult” history of Ashgabat, there are no ancient monuments on its territory. In the surrounding area (15 km to the west) it is worth visiting the ruins of the ancient settlement of Nisa, dating back to the 1st millennium BC. e., since 2007 included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city was once the capital of the powerful Parthian kingdom and was founded by King Mithridates I. Here you can see the remains of two fortresses - Old and New Nysa, the royal residence and “office”, respectively, as well as temples, palace halls, the royal treasury and tombs of the Arsacid dynasty.

Also 15 km from Ashgabat, but in the other direction, is the native village of Turkmenbashi Kipchak. Here you can see how a tidy sum of 100 million dollars was embodied in a white marble mosque named after you know who. Its total area is 18 thousand (!) square meters. km, and the prayer hall can simultaneously accommodate 10,000 believers. Here, in the sarcophagus, the hero of the occasion himself rests.

Another gastronomic “trick” of Turkmenistan is white fish of the Caspian Sea. Sturgeon and stellate sturgeon are especially tasty.

It is interesting to visit the museums of Ashgabat - the wonderful Carpet Museum, which tells about the history of carpet weaving, traditions and methods of weaving carpets, and also displays many artifacts - from the oldest specimen (17th century) to the modern giant of 301 square meters. m, called “The Golden Age of the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi”. At the National Museum you can learn more about the history of the country and see objects found at the excavations of Merv, Nisa, Koneurgench, and at the Museum of Fine Arts you can appreciate the works of Russian, European and Central Asian artists on Turkmen themes. The National Treasury exhibits silver jewelry for women and horses (!) and copies of gold sculptures of Altyn Tepe.

You should definitely visit the colorful medieval bazaars: the huge Dzhygyllyk, Gulistan, Lalezar and Tekinsky bazaar.

Among the architectural structures of our time, the Turkmenbashi and Rukhyet palaces, the Independence Monument and the Arch of Neutrality, business centers, parks and fountains stand out. You can breathe fresh air surrounded by sculptures of great figures of the Turkmen people - from the mythical Oguz Khan to the Seljuk sultans, spiritual leaders and poets - in Independence Park.

After five seasons of excavations at the Akdepe site in 2010, they came to the conclusion that it had been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC. e., and continuously, before that it was believed that the site was abandoned by people at the turn of the 2nd-1st millennium BC. Ceramics of the Neolithic Jeitun culture (VI-V millennium BC) and all subsequent eras, including the XIII-XV centuries, the times of Mongol rule, were found on Akdepe.

City `s history

Linguists derive the name of the city from two words in Persian: “eshg” (“ashg”) - “love” and “abad” - “populated, comfortable”. Based on the meaning of these two words, Ashgabat is often called the “city of love”. The name Ashkabad was given to their aul, which stood not far from the present city, by the Tekin Turkmen. There is another, very reasonable version of the origin of this name - on behalf of one of the kings of the Parthian dynasty of the Arsacids (Arsacids), whose name was Ashk. The Nisa historical and archaeological complex, consisting of the Old Nisa and New Nisa fortresses, is located 18 km from Ashgabat. In the 3rd century BC. e. New Nisa was the capital of Parthia, and Old Nisa was the residence of the king. During the heyday of the Parthian kingdom (III century), Old Nisa was called Mithridatkert, named after King Mithridates I. The ruins of Nisa are fragments of a palace columned hall, sanctuaries and fortifications. Papyri in the Parthian language, many everyday artifacts, and painted clay statues were found here. Until 1881, Ashgabat belonged to Persia, but after Russia and Persia agreed that it came under Russian rule.
It was part of the “Great Game” - as it was called in the 19th century. rivalry between the Russian and British empires for influence in this part of Central Asia, including Persia. Territorial expansion and espionage and diplomatic intrigues came from both sides. Ashgabat became a kind of bargaining chip in this game at that stage, which ended in 1907. A border military fortification called Ashgabat was built here, which became the administrative center of the Trans-Caspian region.
Very soon the city began to grow rapidly. Which is not surprising: ancient caravan routes passed through it: to the south, through the gorges - to Persia, to the north to Khiva; east to Bukhara. And traders and artisans, as well as Persians, immediately rushed to the city, those of them who were persecuted in their native country for religious reasons. In 1885, a railway was built to Askhabad, a year later reaching Chardzhou, another 10 years to Kushka, and in 1899 to . At the beginning of the 20th century. About 37 thousand people already lived here: Persians, Russians, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, in total representatives of 15 nationalities. There were only the least number of Turkmens - 2%. In December 1917, Soviet power was established in the city. In 1919 it was renamed Poltoratsk, in honor of the Bolshevik P.G. Poltoratsky, who was shot in 1918 by workers who rebelled against the Bolsheviks. In 1924, the city became the capital of the Turkmen SSR, and in 1927 its original name was returned to it with a slight amendment: Ashgabat became Ashgabat.
Despite its 130-odd years, it is considered a young city. Alas, with a sad reason. In October 1948, a magnitude nine earthquake occurred in Ashgabat, killing about 176 thousand people; the city and surrounding villages lost 98% of their buildings. The restoration of Ashgabat began in 1949. In 1962, the Karakum Canal reached Ashgabat, thereby eliminating the acute problem of water supply. In 1986, Saparmurat Niyazov (1940-2006) was appointed first secretary of the Communist Party of the Republic. In 1991, Ashgabat (Ashgabat in Turkmen) became the capital of independent Turkmenistan, and Niyazov became the president, Turkmenbashi (“father of the Turkmen”). He made Ashgabat the front showcase of his unlimited power, emphasizing this with monumental, pompous buildings and monuments. Even the invited Western and Turkish architects adhered to this style, but in a professional sense they did their job well, and the city really acquired a majestic appearance.
For more than 10 years, the annual Universal International Exhibition “White City - Ashgabat” has been taking place here. Its goal is to attract foreign companies to cooperation in the field of construction and maintenance of urban infrastructure. It turns out that the main witness here is the city itself, as it looks today, arousing admiration for its buildings, the amount of greenery on the streets, and its order. Over the past twenty years, the population of Ashgabat has at least doubled, and this is the highest figure of its kind in the post-Soviet space.
Portraits of Turkmenbashi in Ashgabat are gradually being replaced by images of horses of the famous Akhal-Teke breed, bred in Turkmenistan about 5,000 years ago. But not only. Portraits of the current president of the country, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (born in 1957, elected in 2007), however, are hung no less than images of horses. In 2010, the “Arch of Neutrality” monument with a giant gilded statue of Turkmenbashi mounted on a rotating base was removed from the city’s central square so that it would be illuminated by the sun’s rays from dawn to dusk. But in December 2011, this monument reappeared in the capital of Turkmenistan, however, now on the outskirts, in the southern part of Bitarap Turkmenistan Avenue in the foothills of the Kopetdag, but there Turkmenbashi stands at an altitude of 95 m above sea level. This, of course, is a signal to society, and an extremely clear one: the “boss” will always be watching you. Is this why travelers unanimously note that the streets of Ashgabat are unusually sparsely populated for a southern city? Marble palaces and fountains seem to be not for its inhabitants. Moreover, the comparison is not made with respect to European cities, but with nearby Muslim Tashkent, not to mention Baku, where life is in full swing at any time of the day. Or is this how the complete, absolute loyalty to the authorities, instilled in the people over the years of the authoritarian regime, is manifested, when any opinion different from the official one could cost a broken fate? But this is not at all a “tribal” feature of Ashgabat. Actor and poet Leonid Filatov (1946-2003) was very fond of this city, where he spent his childhood and early youth. Filatov remembered him as free, open, and friendly, which is something that subsequent generations of Ashgabat intellectuals could not say about him. After several stories related to the disappearance without a trace of their colleagues, relatives and friends who did not agree with the Niyazov regime, in the 1980s, writers, artists, scientists, and journalists emigrated en masse to Russia and Western European countries. This year, the president of the country said that dissident emigrants can visit Ashgabat, no one will interfere with them. However, this statement does not inspire confidence in any of the emigrants, as they write on their website “Gundogar”.
There is another reason for the quiet lifestyle of the residents of Ashgabat: the rest of the cities and towns of the country cannot be compared with the capital either in terms of amenities or in the number of jobs, and the majority of city residents are most afraid of losing what they have Such sentiments also have a positive effect - Ashgabat has an extremely low crime rate. But one cannot help but notice that the residents of Ashgabat also feel pride in the capital of their state, the most beautiful, as they sincerely believe, city on Earth. And they try to behave in such a way as not to damage his current reputation in any way. Unlike politics, they willingly talk about this beautiful city and are always ready to back up their words with warm hospitality. This age-old rule of life of the Turkmen people cannot be abolished by any regime.

general information

Based in 1881

Additional official status: velayat (region).
Administrative division: 5 etraps (districts).

Languages: Turkmen (official), Russian, Uzbek.
Ethnic composition: Turkmens - 77%, as well as Russians, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis, Turks, Armenians, Persians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Tatars - more than 100 nationalities in total.

Religions: Islam, Orthodoxy and other faiths.

Currency unit: manat
River: a canal called the Ashgabat River in the city.

Most important airport: international airport Saparmurat Turkmenbashi.

Numbers

Population: 909,900 people (2009).
Population density: about 3033 people/km 2 .

Height above sea level: 214-240 m.

Economy

Industry: mechanical engineering, metalworking, furniture, food; light industry: spinning and weaving enterprises, silk-winding cycle, carpet production.

An important transport hub.

Average January temperature:+3.5°C.

Average temperature in July:+31.3°С.

Average annual precipitation: 200-230 mm.

Average annual air humidity: 56% There is no precipitation in summer.

Attractions

■ Religious buildings: Ertugrul Gazi Mosque (gift of the Turkish government). “Turkmenbashi Ruhi” (“Spirit of Turkmenbashi”), in the village of Kipchak, in the homeland of S. Niyazov. 15 km from the city Orthodox churches of Alexander Nevsky and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (XIX century, reconstruction of the XX century).
■ Buildings and constructions: palace complex “Oguz Khan” - residence of the President of Turkmenistan, National Library, Mejlis building, Academy of Sciences complex, Academic Drama Theater named after. Mollanepesa, Bayram Khan monument, Independence monument, Constitution monument, “Arch of Neutrality” monument with a statue of Turkmenbashi, Bakt Koshgi Wedding Palace, Alem cultural and entertainment center.
■ Museums: National Museum of History and Ethnography (rich archaeological collection). Carpet Museum, Museum of Fine Arts (works of Russian, Western European and Central Asian artists on Turkmen themes), National Treasury (silver jewelry for women, as well as horses, copies of gold sculptures of Altyn Tepe).
■ The first park (founded in 1890), Alley of Inspiration - an art and park complex.
■ 18 km from the city - Historical and cultural reserve "Nisa" - settlements of the 3rd century. BC e. - III century n. e. (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
■ Bazaar “Dzhygyllyk” (“Hustle”).

Curious facts

■ At the end of the 19th century. there was a draft coat of arms of Askhabad. The importance of the city was symbolized by the crown of the Russian Empire, a camel caravan and a train. But this project remained only on paper.
■ Ashgabat is a branch of the Karakum Canal through which water flows, but in Ashgabat it is called a river. The concrete channel of Ashgabat was filled in 2006. Its width is from 12 to 20 m, its depth is up to 3.5 m. It flows from east to west for 11 km. Every kilometer there are openwork bridges. The banks are framed by parapets made of gray granite, behind them are park areas with gazebos, fountains and children's playgrounds.
■ Saparmurat Niyazov believed that hospitals should be located only in Ashgabat, so that patients, while undergoing treatment, could at the same time admire the beautiful capital. The dictator's absurd decision was strictly carried out. Currently, the country's healthcare system is still in the recovery stage.
■ All schoolgirls and students in Ashgabat wear uniforms, these are long blue or green dresses and trousers. The dress code also includes a mandatory skullcap on the head. Hair must be braided. If a girl allows herself to wear a short haircut in everyday life, when going to classes, she is obliged to wear a skullcap to which artificial braids are sewn.

The name of the city comes from Persian - populated, comfortable.

From its foundation in 1881 until 1919, the city was called Ashgabat, in 1919-1927 - Poltoratsk in honor of the revolutionary figure P. G. Poltoratsky, from 1927 - Ashgabat.

After the declaration of independence by Turkmenistan on October 27, 1991, a number of names of settlements were renamed. In this regard, in the Russian-language media of Turkmenistan, including electronic ones, the city was called Ashgabat, since it is this form that most closely matches the original Turkmen name.

Currently, in the legislative acts of Turkmenistan (in their texts in Russian), in the official media, and on official websites, the capital of Turkmenistan is called Ashgabat.

Population

Turkmens make up more than 3/4 of the population (77%). The city is also home to Russians, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis, Turks, Armenians, Persians, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Tatars, more than 100 nationalities in total.
Story
The city of Askhabad was founded on the site of a Turkmen settlement in 1881 as a border military fortification and administrative center of the Trans-Caspian region, governed by the military administration. It consisted of many clay houses with orchards located on straight, designed streets. For a long time it was one-story, since after several earthquakes it was forbidden to build higher. The population of the city at the beginning of the century was small, so in 1901 it was 36.5 thousand people, of which 11.2 thousand Persians, 10.7 thousand Russians, 14.6 thousand Armenians, Azerbaijanis and other nationalities. The Turkmens lived outside the city in their nomadic camps.
From 1881 to 1918 the city was the administrative center of the Transcaspian region, from 1918 to 1925. administrative center of the Turkmen region.

In February 1925, Ashgabat (at that time called Poltoratsk in honor of the Bolshevik Poltoratsky) received official status as the capital of the Turkmen SSR.

On October 6, 1948, a catastrophic earthquake occurred in Ashgabat, which is considered one of the most destructive earthquakes - the strength in the epicentral region was 9-10 points, the magnitude of the earthquake was M = 7.3. As a result of the earthquake in Ashgabat, 90-98% of all buildings were destroyed. According to various estimates, from 1/2 to 2/3 of the city’s population died (that is, from 60 to 110 thousand people, since information on the number of residents is inaccurate). Currently, in Turkmenistan it is believed that the earthquake claimed the lives of 176 thousand Turkmen. The large number of casualties was associated with the timing of the earthquake and the architectural features (a large number of buildings with flat roofs). To combat the consequences of the earthquake, carry out search and rescue operations and bury the victims, 4 divisions were transferred to the city.

In 1962, the Karakum Canal was brought to Ashgabat, which made it possible to solve the problem of chronic water shortage in the city.

In 2008, there was an armed uprising of militants in Ashgabat, which went down in history as the Ashgabat rebellion. The armed uprising in the city took place on September 10 - 14, 2008. According to official information, the militants were associated with drug trafficking]. To suppress the rebels entrenched in the capital's Khitrovka district, the authorities used heavy armored vehicles. At least nine people were killed on the law enforcement side.

Administrative division

Ashgabat is divided into 5 etraps: Azatlyk, Kopetdag, named after President S.A. Niyazov, Chandybil and Archabil. The Archabil etrap also includes the village of Archabil (formerly Firyuza) without the formation of its own self-government bodies.

Geography

Ashgabat is located in the south of Turkmenistan, 25 km north of the border with Iran in the Turan Lowland.

The city is located in the Ahal oasis on the Kopetdag foothill plain. From the south - the Kopetdag mountains, from the north - the Karakum desert. The height above sea level is 214-240 m. In 1962, the Karakum Canal was brought to the city.

The climate of Ashgabat is subtropical inland, with mild but relatively cold winters for such latitude and exceptionally hot summers. Ashgabat is one of the hottest cities in the world; in summer temperatures above +45 °C are possible. Precipitation is 199 mm per year; in summer there is practically no precipitation. Winter is short, but with strong intrusions of Arctic air from the north, frosts sometimes occur below −10 °C. Permanent snow cover forms only in severe winters.
Russian Empire period

During the Russian Empire, Ashgabat was a city with a rectangular street network combined with a radial one, and it was dominated by adobe houses with flat roofs.
Economy
The economy of Ashgabat is mainly represented by industry, financial institutions and a wide trading network. The total gross domestic product of Ashgabat in 2008, according to some estimates, amounted to about 9 billion US dollars.

The famous oriental bazaar “Dzhygyllyk” (Tolkuchka) is located 5 km north of Ashgabat. The Ýimpaş Shopping Center is especially popular.
cellular

There is only one cellular operator in the city: Altyn Asyr is a national company that began operating in 2007. Since 2010, there has been a “third generation” (3G) network supporting HSPA technology; at the time of launch, the 3G network covers the central areas of Ashgabat, as well as the capital’s International Airport. Since December 21, 2010, cellular communications of the Russian mobile operator MTS Turkmenistan have been disconnected for an indefinite period of time.

Transport
Public city transport is currently represented by trolleybuses and buses. Trolleybus service in the city was opened on October 19, 1964. At the beginning of the 20th century, a narrow-gauge steam-powered railway was in operation, connecting the city with the suburb of Firyuza (39 km northeast of the city center).

In 2008, construction began on a ring highway around Ashgabat, the purpose of which is to relieve traffic flows in the capital and provide a new, more convenient route for transit transport.
Archabil highway
Avenue of Neutrality

Ashgabat Metropolitan

In 2008, the upcoming construction of the metro was announced.

Airports

In the north of the city there is the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi International Airport, which connects Ashgabat by air with major cities of the republic, CIS countries and Europe. On the territory of the former old airport there is a bus station, from where bus routes operate to cities and regions of the country.

The Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk) - Mary - Turkmenabad (Chardzhou) railway passes through the city. In May 2009, the reconstruction of the railway station was completed.

And its largest city. According to statistics, almost 20% of the population of the entire country lives here. Ashgabat is considered a multinational city. More than 80% of the population are Turkmens, almost 9% are Russians, about 2% are Armenians. You can also meet Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Turks, Kazakhs, Ukrainians, and Tatars here. The official language is Turkmen. At the same time, Ashgabat is considered a leader among other cities of Turkmenistan in terms of the number of residents who speak foreign languages ​​fluently.

Most of the local residents profess Islam (almost 85%), the rest of the population belongs to other religions, such as Buddhism and Christianity.

The name of Ashgabat is translated from Persian as “City of Love”. From the founding of the settlement (1881) until 1919 it was called Askhabad, after which it was renamed Poltoratsk, in honor of the famous revolutionary figure Poltoratsky. But the new name of the city did not take root. Just eight years later, the authorities again gave it its old name, albeit in the original Turkmen transcription - Ashgabat (Ashkhabad).

The city is located in the southern part of Turkmenistan in the foothills of the Kopetdag, in close proximity to the Iranian border. This area is characterized by an unstable geological situation. In the fall of 1946, a powerful earthquake occurred here, which destroyed almost the entire city. More than 100,000 people died as a result of this terrible tragedy. From that moment the rebirth of the city began.

Today Ashgabat is an important political and cultural center of Turkmenistan. Metalworking, mechanical engineering, textile, glass, and food industries are well developed here. In the capital of the state there are eight universities, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, four theaters, numerous museums, including the famous Carpet Museum, which houses the longest carpet in the world.

Ashgabat is great for a family holiday with children. Here everyone will find something exciting to do. Beautiful city parks and squares with modern attractions will appeal not only to children, but also to their parents.

Climate and weather

The weather conditions of Ashgabat are determined by the subtropical inland climate. Winter in the capital of Turkmenistan is quite mild, although relatively cold for these latitudes. But in summer the weather here is extremely hot and dry. By the way, Ashgabat is one of the ten hottest cities in the world. In summer the air often warms up higher +45 °C, and the amount of precipitation, if it falls at all, tends to zero. As a rule, rainfall occurs in late spring and early autumn. The average annual precipitation is about 200 millimeters. Winter in Ashgabat is short. During this period, the average daily air temperature does not exceed +5 °C. Sometimes, when arctic air invades, the thermometer drops to -10°C. Permanent snow cover is rare here.

The best time to visit the magnificent capital of Turkmenistan is considered to be spring and autumn, when the air warms up to optimal temperatures for the human body, and minimal precipitation does not interfere with relaxation and sightseeing.

Nature

The nature of Ashgabat amazes with its diversity. On numerous neat streets there are stunningly beautiful squares and parks. They not only please the eye, but also protect local residents and guests of the capital from the summer heat. The vegetation of city parks is incredibly diverse. Here you can find both the familiar deciduous trees and exotic almond and pistachio groves.

The natural landscapes around the city especially attract the attention of tourists coming to Ashgabat. Low mountains, the tops of which are covered with a thin layer of snow, dunes overgrown with saxaul and kandym - all this emphasizes the special flavor of the capital of Turkmenistan.

Not far from Ashgabat, an amazing underground lake is hidden in a picturesque rocky gorge. Its thermal waters have a temperature of about +37 °C all year round. This unusual body of water attracts a large number of travelers, in particular adherents of eco-tourism.

Attractions

Ashgabat is rich in attractions. The capital of Turkmenistan is often visited by Muslim pilgrims; the main temples of Islam are located here: Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque and Ertugrul Gazi Mosque. Their beautiful architecture and rich interior decoration attract numerous tourists from all over the world.

Of great interest to foreigners is the television and radio broadcasting center, which is located on the top of Kopetdag Mountain. The height of the television tower reaches 211 meters. The center is recognized as the tallest building in the capital of Turkmenistan. Its peculiarity is that the top of the television tower is decorated with a huge octagonal star " Oguz Khan", which was recognized as the largest image of a star and is included in the Guinness Book of Records. From the observation deck of the center you can enjoy a truly beautiful view of modern Ashgabat, as well as the picturesque expanses of Kopetdag.

The most visited attractions of the city are considered Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, monument to the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake And main flag of Turkmenistan, which is considered the fourth tallest flagpole in the world. In Independence Park there is an unusual monument to the sacred Ruhnama is a gigantic structure in the shape of a book by Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov.

No tour of modern Ashgabat is complete without visiting the stunning fountain complex " Oguz Khan and sons" This architectural and sculptural composition depicts the famous ancestor of the Turkic tribes Oguz Khan and his sons. Here, on an area of ​​more than 15 hectares, there are 27 synchronized and programmable fountains. This complex is also included in the Guinness Book of Records.

The main attraction of Ashgabat is the largest closed Ferris wheel in the world, installed in the Alem entertainment center.

The Ashgabat Zoo is perfect for a family holiday. The territory of about 40 hectares is home to a huge number of unique animals representing the fauna of both Turkmenistan and the entire Central Asia.

We also recommend visiting the beautiful park complex “Alley of Inspiration”, which is located between the two central streets of Ashgabat. Here you can take a walk under the shade of majestic trees planted along an artificial pond.

There are many museums and theaters in Ashgabat. The famous Carpet Museum brought worldwide fame to the capital of Turkmenistan - here you can see a unique collection of different versions of this product. In addition, the largest carpet in the world is located in the Ashgabat museum. Its length exceeds 400 meters and its area is 301 square meters.

Not far from Ashgabat is the ancient city of the Parthian state - Nyssa. Its ancient ruins attract many archeology and history buffs.

Nutrition

You can try excellent dishes of national Turkmen cuisine in numerous local restaurants and cafes. All of them offer their visitors not only traditional national treats, but also masterpieces of world cuisine.

The main dish on the menu of any restaurant in Ashgabat is meat; Turkmens usually cook pork and lamb. Some restaurants are happy to offer rather unusual meat dishes made from camel and mountain goat meat. Particularly popular among foreign tourists is the dish “Gara chorba” - a soup prepared using canned fried meat. In addition, not a single feast in Turkmen families is complete without the famous Turkmen dried meat “Kakmach”.

Pilaf is considered the most favorite and popular dish in any home and restaurant in Ashgabat. The main difference from its counterparts in other countries is the addition of pheasant or other game meat to the recipe. This legendary dish is usually served with plum and pomegranate sauce.

Fish dishes are also very popular among foreigners in Ashgabat restaurants; stellate sturgeon and sturgeon are especially revered. Fish in Ashgabat is cooked on a spit and in a cauldron. Typically, fish dishes in the capital of Turkmenistan are served with pomegranate juice, sesame seeds and raisins. Not all tourists decide to try such an unusual combination of products.

In every restaurant you can order a unique Turkmen drink “Ayran”. Also worth trying here is amazing tea prepared according to local recipes, with camel milk or with dried fruits and nuts (this method of brewing tea is common throughout Central Asia).

In addition to restaurants serving national cuisine, in Ashgabat you can visit establishments offering to try the famous culinary treats of neighboring countries. Thus, the Lebanese restaurant Dip Club is considered the most visited, where the most popular dish is the famous shawarma. Turkish cafe "Erzurum" prepares amazing dishes "Pida" and "Minara". Food prices in the capital of Turkmenistan pleasantly surprise with their low values. You can dine in a middle-class restaurant here for only $7-10 (per person).

Accommodation

There are a large number of hotels of different categories in Ashgabat: from simple cheap two-star hotels to prestigious representatives of world brands. The most popular hotel in the capital of Turkmenistan is “President”. This hotel is designed to receive high-ranking guests. In terms of technical equipment, quality of service and comfortable rooms, the hotel meets all international requirements. There are a large number of spacious rooms that are equipped with everything necessary for a pleasant stay, including air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone with international calls, minibar, safe and many other amenities. In addition, “President” guests have access to excellent restaurants, gyms, fitness clubs, a swimming pool, a sauna, a tennis court and many other entertainment facilities. The cost of living in such a hotel is about $100-150 per night.

In Ashgabat you can find hotels where accommodation will cost you slightly less - approximately $40-70. But the quality of services in such establishments is significantly inferior to famous hotels.

Entertainment and relaxation

Beautiful Ashgabat offers its guests an exciting entertainment program. Many foreign tourists, who are accustomed to spending almost all their free time exploring ancient sights, will be somewhat disappointed in the capital of Turkmenistan. The fact is that there are no ancient historical and architectural monuments here. But in its surroundings you can see the ruins of ancient cities, in particular the ancient settlement of Nisa, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, on the territory of this city, only the remains of two fortresses have been preserved - New and Old Nisa, as well as palace halls, royal treasuries of the Arsacid dynasty. Near Ashgabat is the native village of Turkmenbashi. This place is considered sacred by local residents. There is a huge white marble mosque, inside of which the “father of all Turkmen” is located in a sarcophagus.

A must-see on excursions around the magnificent Ashgabat is a visit to the amazing Carpet Museum. Here you can learn about the history of carpet weaving, the methods and traditions of carpets. In addition, it is in the Turkmen museum that truly legendary specimens of carpets are collected - the oldest carpet product (XVII century) and the largest carpet (with an area of ​​about 301 m2).

Entertainment lovers should definitely visit the stunning Alem entertainment complex. The largest closed-type Ferris wheel brought this center worldwide fame. In addition to the wheel, there are a huge number of other attractions, slot machines, restaurants and cafes.

When traveling around Ashgabat with children, you should definitely look into the new Ashgabat Zoo. Here you can get acquainted with the amazing flora and fauna of Central Asia. The vast territory (almost 40 hectares) is home to unique species of reptiles, animals and birds, which are found not only in Turkmenistan, but also in other countries around the world.

Purchases

The capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, is famous for its magnificent bazaar, which has the amazing name “Tolkuchka”, which speaks for itself. Here you can buy whatever your heart desires: from sheep skins, skullcaps and ending with an incredibly beautiful carpet. At Tolkuchka, life begins to boil ahead of the weekend. It is best to arrive there early in the morning, when there are not so many people yet and you can calmly wander between the aisles and choose the product you like.

There is also a Russian bazaar “Gulistan” in Ashgabat. Of course, today all that remains of it is its name. There have been no Russian sellers in this market for a long time. Here you can buy food, clothing and all sorts of souvenirs. In addition, you can buy small gifts reminiscent of your trip to Ashgabat and sunny Turkmenistan for your family and friends in any souvenir shop in the city center. Fortunately there are a huge number of them here. Also, similar sales tents are located in every major hotel.

The most purchased goods in Ashgabat are souvenirs in the form of a horse - a symbol of the state, skullcaps, items of national clothing and, of course, carpets. By the way, it is better to buy these products only in government stores. Since here the price of the product already includes a mandatory tax, and for each carpet there is a ready-made expert opinion on the historical significance of the product. In addition, such establishments will certainly issue the buyer with an appropriate certificate confirming the fact of purchase, which is required by customs authorities when traveling abroad.

Transport

The capital of Turkmenistan has a well-developed public transport system; here it is represented by buses, trolleybuses and taxis. Today on the roads of Ashgabat you can find modern Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz buses, as well as Soviet rarities without the comfort familiar to foreigners. The fare is approximately $0.1 one way. A trolleybus ride costs the same. For the fastest and most comfortable movement around the city, you can use the services of private taxi drivers. At the same time, the cost of the trip will be slightly higher - depending on the distance of the trip, the taxi driver may ask you from $1 to $3.

Ashgabat is a major railway junction. An important branch passes through the capital: Turkmenbashi (Krasnovodsk) - Mary - Turkmenabad. To travel around the country, the local population mainly uses the railway service, which connects Ashgabat with other major cities.

Not far from here there is a large airport named after Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, which has international status. It connects Ashgabat with other cities of the republic and countries of Europe, the CIS and Asia. By the way, flights around the country are completely inexpensive - only $7-10. It is also worth noting that the national air carrier Turkmenistan Airlines is considered the most reliable airline in all of Central Asia.

Connection

In Ashgabat, telecommunications and communication means, unlike the rest of Turkmenistan, have been widely developed. On some streets (mostly central) there are special machines from which you can make calls throughout the country. For international calls, it is better to contact the post office or post office. One minute of communication with other countries costs about $1. Most large hotels also offer their visitors to use telephones installed in their rooms that provide international calls. True, a call here will cost much more - about 2-2.5 $ per minute of conversation.

Cellular communications have become more widespread in Ashgabat. There are two mobile operators in the city: TM CELL and MTS-Turkmenistan, which cover all its districts and the airport. By the way, the companies provide roaming support for the world's leading mobile operators.

Internet connection in Ashgabat has recently received widespread development. In the city center you can have a great time in cozy Internet cafes, the cost of services of which is a maximum of $2 per hour of using the Internet. And local hotels have Wi-Fi.

Safety

Ashgabat enjoys a reputation as a relatively safe city. Law enforcement agencies note here the lowest crime rate among the capitals of Central Asian countries. However, you should not lose your vigilance; you need to carefully monitor your belongings, especially in crowded places. Large sums of money and valuables are best left in hotel safes.

Visiting Ashgabat requires tourists to observe certain safety measures regarding their health. So, in order to exclude the possibility of infection with typhoid, hepatitis and dysentery, it is advisable to carry out preventive vaccinations.

As for tap water, in Ashgabat it goes through mandatory stages of purification, including chlorination, but this does not make it completely safe. The Ministry of Health strongly recommends that visitors to the capital of Turkmenistan first boil water and only then use it for brushing their teeth or drinking.

Vegetables and fruits purchased at local Asian bazaars must be thoroughly washed, and meat and fish must be cooked.

Business climate

Ashgabat is the main economic center of the country. Many industrial enterprises have been established here. The main direction of the economy of the city, and the entire country as a whole, is oil refining. Many investors prefer this particular sector of the city’s economy.

It is worth noting that the authorities have recently adopted a number of laws regulating the operation of joint ventures. The main innovation was the abolition of a number of taxes. In addition, foreign investors who invest their money in Ashgabat enterprises receive some benefits for starting their business.

Recently, there has been an increase in the interest of foreign tourists in the historical and cultural attractions of Ashgabat. Travel companies register a constant increase in the flow of travelers to the capital of Turkmenistan. Some businessmen invest their capital in the development of the tourism sector of the Ashgabat economy. It has been noticed that the payback period for costs in this business is noticeably shorter than in any other industry.

Real estate

The real estate market in Ashgabat today is one of the most promising in all of Central Asia. The stable rise in prices for residential premises attracts numerous buyers from all over the world. It is worth noting that in Turkmenistan there are no restrictions on the sale of real estate to foreign citizens. It is this feature of the Ashgabat housing market that makes it the most popular among large cities not only in Turkmenistan, but also in other countries of Central Asia.

Buying a small apartment with an area of ​​no more than 100 square meters will cost the buyer approximately $30,000. Those wishing to purchase not just an apartment in the center of Ashgabat, but a beautiful country house along with valuable land should prepare at least $50,000. The final cost of such transactions depends on the area where the cottage is located, as well as the size of the land plot.

Most real estate buyers in Ashgabat decide to purchase apartments and houses and then rent them out or organize small hotels in them. Interestingly, the average prices for rental housing in Ashgabat are quite high. To rent a one-room apartment in the capital for one month you will need approximately $400-500.

The city of Ashgabat will attract your attention from the very first minute of your stay in it. In order for a trip through the unforgettable beauty of the capital of Turkmenistan to remain in memory as an amazing and safe adventure, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. Having decided to come to amazing Ashgabat, it is worth remembering that staying in Asian cities requires travelers to respect local residents and laws. Remember that visiting some attractions is only possible with the presence of a representative of the travel company.
2. The hot climate of Ashgabat requires visitors to constantly use sunscreen cosmetics, hats, and high-quality repellents. To ensure the safety of your health, it is necessary to take care in advance of preventive vaccinations against diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis and malaria.
3. When visiting public places, remember that in Ashgabat, as throughout Turkmenistan, there is a ban on smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages in establishments with large crowds of people.
4. When buying expensive antiques, carpets, jewels, jewelry as souvenirs, ask the seller for a special certificate that will confirm the purchase transaction of your product. This will help to avoid problems with customs authorities when leaving Turkmenistan. Remember that it is strictly forbidden to export old carpets older than 50 years, archaeological exhibits, as well as black caviar and fish from the country.

Ashgabat (Aşgabat) is the capital of Turkmenistan, the largest city in the country, located in the southwestern part of the country, in the foothills of the Kopetdag. This city lies on the very edge of a vast, hot desert area within a large natural oasis. The city of Ashgabat is located just 25 km from the border of Turkmenistan with Iran.

The city was founded in 1881 as a military border fortified point, at an important crossroads of several trade routes. From 1881 to 1919 the city was called Askhabad, and in 1919 - 1927 it was called Poltoratsk - in honor of the local revolutionary P. G. Poltoratsky. Only in 1927 did it receive its current name, which can be translated as “City of Love”. Today its population is about 830 thousand people.

For some time after Turkmenistan gained independence, the capital of the state in Russian reading was officially called Ashgabat, because This transcription is closer to the Turkmen pronunciation. Now the city is called Ashgabat in official documents.

The city was founded on the site of an ancient Turkmen settlement and initially consisted of numerous small clay houses and orchards located on straight, planned streets. Due to the constant threat of earthquakes, only one-story houses were allowed to be built here. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the city's population was only about 35 thousand people.

Until 1918, Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) was the administrative center of the Trans-Caspian region, and from 1918 to 1925 - the center of the Turkmen region. In 1925, the city became the capital of the Turkmen SSR. In 1991, after the country gained independence, Ashgabat officially became the capital of the state.

In 1948, on October 6, at 1.17 am, as a result of a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 9-10 points, Ashgabat was almost completely destroyed. On this day, more than half of the city’s population died – about 110 thousand! All the old buildings were destroyed. For five years after this event, the ruins were a closed area, and after that, for twenty years, specialists from all over the Soviet Union participated in the restoration, or rather, in the construction of the city.

For this reason, the city is mostly built up with typical Soviet buildings. During active construction in the 50s and 60s of the 20th century, the city's districts became larger, the streets were expanded, and a large number of new districts and green areas appeared. After 1991, active construction began in Ashgabat, a large number of new multi-storey buildings appeared, new microdistricts grew, and old buildings were renovated (many of them were decorated with marble). Now the map of the city of Ashgabat has a completely different look - a modern and developed cultural center.

Among the city's attractions it is worth mentioning the Arch of Neutrality - the tallest building in the country (on its top there is a statue of Turkmenbashi), the Presidential Palace, the Mejlis Building, the Academic City Theater named after. Mollanepesa, Bayram Khan monument and Lenin Square, Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, etc. Also interesting to visit are the Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky and the large and beautiful Ertogrulgazy Mosque. In addition, the largest circus in the country is located in Ashgabat.

Ashgabat is an eastern city and, like all eastern cities, it is famous for its original, colorful, bright and noisy bazaars. The largest and most popular is the Dzhygyllyk - Tolkuchka bazaar, which stretches for several kilometers along the city outskirts. You can buy almost everything here, but what attracts tourists most of all is the opportunity to find authentic Turkmen costumes and unique carpets, which are brought here for sale from all over the country. In addition to Tolkuchka, there are about a dozen other, smaller markets in the city.

An unusual and extremely interesting attraction to visit is the Carpet Museum. This is the only museum of its kind in the world! Several hundred unique carpets from different parts of the country, dating back to different eras, are collected here. The oldest carpet presented here dates back to the 17th century. It is also worth visiting the National Museum of History and Ethnography, which has many amazing finds that tell about the development of the country and the Turkmen people.

People interested in history and its monuments should visit the ruins of an ancient city, the capital of the Parthian state, Nysa, 3rd century BC, located 18 km west of the capital. – 3rd century AD A large number of important, unique finds were discovered here - clay tablets with inscriptions, business documents, works of art, etc. The ruins of city blocks, fortresses, palaces and temples have been preserved here.

A few kilometers southwest of Ashgabat lies a popular mountain resort. From here you can take an unforgettable walk, visit the Baharden cave with a very large underground lake Kou-Ata, which is also called the “Father of Lakes,” and admire the picturesque mountain views.

Now Ashgabat is a major political, administrative, cultural, and industrial center of the country. There are more than 40 large industrial facilities here, including oil refining, chemical, pharmaceutical, metalworking and other industries. Carpet weaving from cotton and astrakhan wool also occupies an important place.

Public transport in the city includes trolleybuses and buses. The city government intends to soon begin construction of the metro. In the northern part of the city there is the largest international airport in the country. Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, which connects Ashgabat with the countries of Europe, the CIS and the Far East. A modern railway also passes through the city, connecting the capital with other regions of the country.

According to local residents and tourists, Ashgabat has amazingly blossomed over the years of independence. Nowadays it is often called the “white marble capital of Turkmenistan” and people are rightfully proud of its beauty and originality. It is interesting that in the city at the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century a large number of toponyms appeared in honor of President Turkmenbashi - there is Turkmenbashi Street, and Turkmenbashi Square, and a park, and an avenue, etc. and so on.