Ashgabat - the capital of Turkmenistan Ashgabat Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Ashgabat – the white marbled capital of Turkmenistan The capital of Turkmenistan – Ashgabat was founded in 1881. The city is located 25 km. north of the border with Iran, in the Kopet Dag foothills. By official statistics for 2013, its population is nearly 1,000,000 people. The city's name Ashgabat comes from a Persian word “eshg” which means love and “abad”, translated as populated, well-maintained. And it is the case! To date, Ashgabat is not just the capital of Turkmenistan, but also the largest industrial, scientific and cultural center of the country. The city concentrates a huge amount of government institutions and agencies, as well as interesting monuments and attractions. Thus, the city was entered into the Guinness Book of Records several times. First, as the city with the largest number of buildings, finished with white marble.

Indeed, the number of such buildings in Ashgabat is 543, and the total area of the marble finish in the city is 4.5 million square meters! Second, for the world's tallest flagpole (133 meters) set in the city. Third, for the largest Ferris wheel. Fourth, for the largest fountain complex “Oguzkhan and Sons” with the fountain total area of 15 hectares! And finally, the biggest architectural monument to a star (“The Oguzkhan Star” on Turkmen television tower) is also included in the Guinness Book of Records . A very interesting place to visit in Ashgabat is a monument to the “Rukhnama” book written by Turkmenbashi, the first President of Turkmenistan, himself. The book, considered sacred for Turkmens, describes the first President’s biography, country's history, and basic commandments and moral principles, the Turkmenistan people should follow. At certain times, the book is opened with the help of multimedia technologies, and the visitors of the monument can read demonstrably the important historical moments of Turkmenistan formation and development.

In the halls of new National Museum constructed after Independence the most valuable archeological finds related to ancient history of Turkmenistan are displayed. The museum's collection contains dozens of man-made monuments of traditional craft creativity and a folk art of the 17th - 19th centuries. Weaving, embroidery, ceramics, carpet making, jewelry - here is far from complete list of artifacts kept in the museum. In total there are more than 2, 500 exhibits. The Capital Carpet Museum is considered a unique of its kind in the world. There some hundreds of the best carpets of all times are collected, the oldest of which is dated the 17th century. There is also the biggest carpet in the world which is about 400 square meters and weighs over a ton. The National Museum of History and Ethnography offers a magnificent collection of ancient artifacts collected from the entire territory of Turkmenistan including the ones found during excavations of Old Nissa.

Among the major landmarks of the capital are also the Monument of Neutrality (1998, height 95 m - the highest structure in Turkmenistan) with a gold statue of Turkmenbashi on the top; the Presidential Palace, the building of Medzhlis, the Academy of Sciences, the Academic Drama Theatre named after Mollahnepes, Bairam-Khan monument, Lenin Square, Mekan Palace, the Conservatory, Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church (the 19th century), Ertugrul Gazi mosque with four minarets and a huge dome. The basic centre of tourists' attraction is a huge Sunday market "Tolkuchka" (secondhand market) which is famous for variety of goods and bright Turkmen traditions. Stretching for a few kilometers along deserted suburbs of the city, the market draws attention first of all by an opportunity to purchase traditional Turkmen carpets which are brought there from the entire country. Well, of course, it cannot but be mentioned the city’s one of the main attractions – the Independence Monument. This monument is a 118 m-high column with the top crowned with a crescent moon and five stars.

This column is set on a semicircular sphere, symbolizing a yurt. Five stars are a symbol of unity of the five largest Turkmen tribes which have been living on the Turkmenistan territory since ancient times. Far away from the tower there stands a gilded monument to Saparmurat Niyazov. The image of this monument is printed on all the Turkmen banknotes. Near Ashgabat the ruins ancient Parthian state's capital Nissa are located attracting tourists, archeologists and historians from different parts of the world. The Ashgabat landmarks also include “Path of Health”, located in its outskirts. This paved footpath, 36 km long and a 5 m wide, runs along the slopes of the Kopetdag ridge. By the first President’s covenant all the Ashgabat residents must walk along this path every day in order to maintain their health and tonus. All along the track there installed lampposts and drinking water sources. This place is very popular both among the tourists and locals.

Google Map of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - Nations Online Project Ashgabat along Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, the Great Avenue, the main artery of Ashgabat. Image: Michael Karavanov Satellite view is showing Ashgabat, largest city and the white-marbled capital of Turkmenistan , a former Soviet republic and an autocratic ruled state in Central Asia , east of the Caspian Sea . The city is located in central south of the country, between the Karakum desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range, in Ahal Welayaty province, about 35 km north of the border to Iran . The city was founded in 1881 and nearly destroyed in 1948 by an 7.3 earthquake. Turkmenistan became 'independent' upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, only to be ruled by the totalitarian and repressive President NIYAZOV from 1985 until his death in 2006.

During his regime he used the high oil revenue of the country to build a new capital within the old one, with Soviet style marble clad palaces, broad avenues, parks and landmarks, and a bird-shaped airport in Ashgabat Ashgabat has a population of about 700,000 inhabitants. Official language is Turkmen, Russian is widely spoken. The map shows a city map of Ashgabat with expressways, main roads and streets, as well as the location of Ashgabat International Airport ( IATA code : ASB). To find a location use the form below. To view just the map, click on the "Map" button. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country. Local Time Turkmenistan: Time zone: Turkmenistan Time (TMT) :: UTC/GMT +5 hours φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Google Earth: Searchable Map and Satellite view of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

City Coordinates: 37°56′N 58°22′E Bookmark/share this page Ashgabat | national capital, Turkmenistan | Britannica.com national capital, Turkmenistan Alternative Titles: Ašchabad, Ashkabad, Ashkhabad, Askhabad, Poltoratsk Related Topics London Ashgabat, formerly Ashkhabad, Ashkabad, Askhabad, or (1919–27) Poltoratsk, city and capital of Turkmenistan . It lies in an oasis at the northern foot of the Kopet-Dag (Turkmen: Köpetdag) Range and on the edge of the Karakum (Turkmen: Garagum) Desert , about 19 miles (30 km) from the Iranian frontier. It was founded in 1881 as a Russian military fort and took the name of the nearby Turkmen settlement of Askhabad.

It became the administrative centre of the Transcaspian oblast (province) and, because of its position on the caravan routes and on the Transcaspian Railway, attracted a population that numbered more than 45,000 by 1911. After the Russian Revolution the city soon was renamed Poltoratsk, after a local revolutionary. From 1924 to 1990 it was the capital of Turkmenistan, U.S.S.R.; in 1927 it reverted to its original name, Ashkhabad. One of the most violent earthquakes ever registered in the region virtually destroyed the city in October 1948; it was rebuilt on the same regular plan. A chronic water shortage was alleviated considerably when the Karakum Canal reached the city in 1962. In 1992 the government of newly independent Turkmenistan officially adopted the Turkmen version of the city’s name, Ashgabat. The presidental palace, Ashgabat, Turkm. © Alexey Averiyanov/Shutterstock.com Ashgabat is now an administrative, industrial, transportation, and cultural centre.

The city has glassworks, carpet-weaving and cotton mills, and metalworking shops. Its spectacular natural setting also made it a centre for the filmmaking industry. There are several institutions of higher education, including Turkmen A.M. Gorkii State University (1950) and polytechnic, agricultural, and medical institutes. The Turkmen Academy of Sciences, founded in 1951, includes the unique Institute of Deserts. Other amenities include an opera house and theatres as well as several museums. Pop. (2007 est.) 744,000. Learn More in these related articles: The City of White Marble: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - The Atlantic The Atlantic 20 Photos In Focus Travel photographer Amos Chapple recently crossed into Turkmenistan on a three-day transit visa and was able to photograph many of the sights and monuments in Ashgabat, the capital and largest city. Turkmenistan is a single-party country, a former Soviet state, run by a president at the center of a cult of personality. Chapple: "Twice before I'd had tourist visa applications rejected, so it felt like entering a forbidden place.

When we drove into Ashgabat I assumed there was some kind of holiday taking place -- the streets and all these beautiful parks stood deserted. In the area I first walked there were more soldiers than civilians. They patrol the city center and are extremely jumpy about photographs. Twice, soldiers shouted at me from a distance then ran up and demanded pictures be deleted." Ashgabat was recently noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as having the most white marble-clad buildings in the world -- 543 new buildings lined with white marble covering a total area of 4.5 million square meters. (Also, see earlier photographs by Chapple featured here in March: A Trip to Iran ) Ashgabat, capital city of Turkmenistan All... Ashgabat, capital city of Turkmenistan Ashgabat is Turkmenistan's showcase city, where shimmering gold domes top extravagant marble palaces and manicured gardens burst into life each spring. Once a prosperous Russian frontier town, the city was leveled in 1948 by a devastating earthquake that killed over two-thirds of the population. The reconstruction was largely fueled by gas and oil profits, and the capital continues to boom because of them.

Soviet style permeated the rebuild, but Western opulence is starting to overshadow the Stalinist details in its modern incarnation. The result is a quirky capital that remembers its past while looking forward to the future. In Arabic, Ashgabat means ìcity of love,î and the capital will sweep you off your feet. The story of Turkmenistan comes alive at the National Museum of History, a treasure trove of nearly 500,000 artifacts from all over the country. The archeological collection is the most interesting, showcasing rare pieces from prehistory through the middle ages, including musical instruments, ivory vessels, traditional tools, fabrics, statuettes and more. The building itself is a stunning sight, like a palatial oasis in the middle of the sparse desert. Ashgabat is an undeniably impressive city, but one must understand the devastation it went through to fully comprehend its glory. The Earthquake Museum is the most touching in the city, displaying photos of Ashgabat before and after the natural disaster that leveled it in under one minute in 1948.

The museum also represents a change of attitude in the country; during the Stalinist era, the earthquake was largely ignored because socialist countries were not supposed to suffer from disasters. The official recognition is a step, but the museum is usually locked, so there is still a long way to go. However, visitors can usually bribe the guards for entry with just a few dollars and a polite request. One of the brightest gems of the reconstruction is the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a stunning building with gleaming gold ornaments decorating seemingly every surface. The highlight of the extensive collection is the Soviet-Turkmen artwork, featuring a mix blissful peasant scenes and cityscapes of smoke-spewing factories. There is also small but impressive collection of Western European paintings and a selection of traditional Turkmen costumes and jewelry. The majority of the population is Muslim, and thousands of the faithful worship at the Azadi Mosque, modeled after Istanbul's famous Blue Mosque. The Ashgabat version is even bigger than its inspiration, accommodating over 5,000 worshippers under its decadent golden dome. Visitors are welcome outside of congregational prayer times, and the surrounding lush gardens are particularly welcoming on a hot summer day.

Other notable sights within the city include the Turkmen Carpet Museum, home to the world's largest hand-woven carpet, Independence Park, which is dotted with monuments to the countryís most celebrated rulers, writers and heroes and Tolkuchka Bazzar, one of Central Asia's most colorful markets. Night is when the Western side of Ashgabat really comes alive, and once the sun sets over the desert, take refuge in the many theaters, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs around the city. Throughout the capital, dance clubs pump bass beats under lasers and strobe lights, thespians perform contemporary comedies on intimate stages and pubs serve up strong drinks on outdoor terraces. The friendly locals will be eager to buy you a round and make you feel right at home in their ever-evolving city. It is part of the charm of Ashgabat, and one of the reasons you will fall in love with the capital. Ashgabat Geographical Location Ashgabat is located near the Iranian border in the central south of Turkmenistan. The population of Ashgabat is approximately 910,000.

Ashgabat Language Turkmen is the official language of Turkmenistan although a significant portion of the population also speaks Russian or Uzbek. Ashgabat Predominant Religion 9% Eastern Orthodox 2% Unknown The Ruhnama, a religious text written by former President Niyazov, is no longer deemed mandatory by the school systems or to be displayed beside the Quran but it is still a religious part of Turkic religion. Ashgabat Currency The Manat is the official currency of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat Climate Ashgabat has an arid climate due to its proximity to the Kara-Kum desert with little rain throughout the year. The temperatures are very hot during the long summer and mild in the short winter. Ashgabat Main Attractions The Mosque of Khezert Omar The Botanical Gardens Ashgabat travel guide - Wikitravel By plane[ edit ] Ashgabat is currently building the brand-new Oguz Han International Airport. Scheduled to be completed in early 2016, the airport will increase the capacity and services of people entering the country. For now, flights arrive at the clean, temporary terminal on the site of the old Turkmen SSR airpot.

Taxi drivers will want 20 manat for the short trip into town; 10 manat is a more reasonable price. The main operator is the international carrier Turkmenistan Airlines [1] , which operates international flights from Abu Dhabi / United Arab Emirates on Fri and Sun, from Almaty / Kazakhstan on Sat, from Amritsar / India on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun, from Birmingham / United Kingdom on Thu, Fri and Sun, from Delhi / India on Sat and Sun, from Dubai / United Arab Emirates on Tue, from Frankfurt / Germany on Tue, Sat and Sun, from Istanbul / Turkey on Mon, Tue, Wed and Sat, from Kiev / Ukraine on Sat, from London / United Kingdom on Tue and Sat, from Moscow / Russia from Mon to Sun and from Tashkent / Uzbekistan on Tue., from Bangkok/Thailand, 4 times a week, from Istanbul/Turkey, 12 times a week, from Delhi, 3 times a week, from St. Petersburg/Russia, 2 times a week. International flights are operated by B-737 or B-757 aircraft.

Domestic destinations include Dashogus (6 flights per day), Mary (3 flights per day), Turkmenabat (5 flights per day) and Turkmenbashi (3 flights per day). Domestic flights are very cheap due to subsidies. Other airlines include FlyDubai to Dubai (5 times a week), Lufthansa to Frankfurt / Germany , 4 times a week (via Baku / Azerbaijan ), Turkish Airlines to Istanbul / Turkey (twice a day) and S7 Airlines to Moscow (5 times per week). By rail[ edit ] Turkmendemiryollari (Turkmenistan Zeleznice) runs trains to Ashgabat from Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabad via Mary . Trains leave Turkmenbashi every second day at 7.30 pm and arrive in Ashgabat at 5.20 am next morning or daily at 4.05 pm, arriving in Ashgabat at 5.50 am next morning.

Trains leave Turkmenabad at 6 pm and Mary at 0.25 am daily and arrive in Ashgabat at 8.20 am next morning, Another train leaves Turkmenabad at 9.55 pm and and Mary at 2.50 am every second day, arriving in Ashgabat at 9.35 am next morning. There is a day train leaving Turkmenabad at 4.20 am and Mary at 10.23 am, arriving in Ashgabat at 6.35 pm. Get around[ edit ] Unofficial taxis are everywhere. Just stick out your right arm, and see who stops. The bus system in Ashgbat is fairly good, and is only about 0.4 manat per person. Pay when you get off the bus. It is easiest to give the driver 1 manat and let him give you change, instead of trying to figure out exact fare (and you probably will not have coins, anyways, since they are worth so little). There are white marble bus stops (many with shade and some with air conditioning) all through the town. Some of the bus stations have route maps at the stations.

The bus is a good option if you are on the outskirts of town (e.g., the giant indoor Ferris wheel at Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center or the Palace of Knowledge) and no taxis stop. Take any bus in the direction toward town, and get off when you get closer to a busy city street and take a taxi to wherever you are going. Nissa , 15 km West of Ashgabat, settlement dating back to the 2nd cent BC Geok Depe , 50 km West of Ashgabat, site of the final battle between troups of Turmen and tsarist troops in 1881/84, Saparmurat Hags Mosque, erected by President Turkmenbashi Bakharden, 100 km West of Ashgabat, near the Kopet Dag mountains, cave with the Köw Ata Lake with hot thermal water, however, smelling of sulphur, a favorite place for excursion for people of Ashgabat at weekends. Nokhur, 150 km from Ashgabar in South Western Turkmenistan in the valleys of the Kopet Dag mountains.

The people of Nokhur claim to be direct descendants of Macedonian warriors of Alexander the Great's times, Anau , 15 km South East of Ashgabat Altyn Depe is a settlement of the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages. It has been extensively excavated during the Soviet period. The settlement has specialised potter's quarters, evidence of a differentiation of the living quarters according to the wealth of their inhabitants and a monumental cult complex. During excavations a small golden head of a wolf and a bull were found. According to the Russian archaeologist V.M.Masson, the cult complex was dedicated to the Moon Good as in Mesopotamia. The site was abandonned in the middle of the second millenium BC. See[ edit ][ add listing ] White marble. The biggest attraction in Ashagbat is the many, many white marble buildings. Many of these are government ministries and can't be entered, so a tour around the city is a great way to take it in. Bus Number 20 is a good bet. It passes a number of buildings before turning around in the desert outside the city. 20 tenne. edit Turkmenbashi Cableway, Kopet Dag (south of the National Museum).

9am to 10pm. Cable car, opened in 2006, climbing up to 1290 meters, offering spectacular views over the city with the desert in the background. Fully operational and 2 manat per person in July 2016. Cafe at the top had only drinks and ice cream in July 2016. $10. edit Tolkuchka Bazaar, (8 km north of Ashgabad, past the airport). Satt, Sun 8am to 2pm. one of Central Asia's most colourful bazaars, edit National Museum, Archabil sayoli 30 (in front of the Kopet Dag), ☎ 454954. 9am to 5pm. An interesting, if very expensive museum. For foreign visitors, Hall 1's presentation of post-independent Turkmenistan is probably the most interest. The delusions of absolute power are full effect in the strange gifts and terrible photoshopped images. Elsewhere more serious work is presented on Turkmenistan's past: Hall 2 focuses on Bronze Age artifacts while Hall 3 shows items taken from the Nissa site just outside of Ashgabat.

Hall 4 shows a medieval model of Merv, along with exhibits on Konye Urgench and Anau. Hall 5 and 6 show ancient weapons and jewelry, while a huge carpet dominates Hall 7. $10 per section or $30 for the whole museum. edit Museum of Fine Arts, (west of the Palace of Justice), ☎ 351566. Wed to Mon 9am to 6pm. The Central Hall has a large picture of President Niyazov Abundance of the Harvest. In the Independence Hall the heroic figures of the nation (Oguz Han, Togrul Beg, Alp Arslan and the poet Seydi) are shown. The museum also contains a reconstruction of the dragen freeze of the mosque of Arnau and exhibitions of Turkmen paitings before and after 1950. The first floor is devoted to Russian paintings from the 19th century and to European paintings, including minor works by Tiepolo and Poussin. US$ 10. edit Turkmen Carpet Museum, 5 Georogly köcesi, ☎ 398879.

Mon to Fri 10am to 1pm., 2 to 6 pm,. The museum houses antique carpets of the 18th and 19th centuries and modern carpets from all parts of the country. There is a nearly 200 square meters carpet which was intended as curtain of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, but proved too heavy. The pride of the museum is the largest hand-woven carpet in the world, as certified by the Guinness Book of Records. It covers 300 square meters and was woven by 40 carpet makers on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. $20/72TMT. edit Turkmenistan Independence Park, (take bus 16 or 34 from the city center). The Park covers an area 2 km long and 1 km wide.

It contains monuments of famous people of Turkmen history: the founder of the Seljuk dynastySeljuk Beg, the founder of the Turkmen people Oguz Han, the Turkmen poet Magtymguly, the Seljuk leader Sultan Sanjar, the Turkmen warrior Georoglythe Seljuk rulers Alp Arslan and Malik Shah, the 18th century leader of the Ahal Tekkes Keymir Kor, the poets Zelilli and Sydi, the leader of the White Sheep confederation Uzyn Hasan, the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire Ertogul Gazy, the Turkmen commander and poet Bairam Han, the poets Molianepes and Mataji, the Turkmen leader Gara Yusup, the Seljuk ruler Togrul Beg, the spiritual leader Gorkut Ata and the poet Kemine. edit Ashgabat Flagpole, (near the National Museum). Erected in 2008, this large flag is now the fourth-largest in the world. If slightly smaller than the ones present in Baku , Pyongyang and Dushanbe , the 133 meter structure is still impressive. Free..

edit Museum of Turkmen National Values, ☎ 451954. 9am to 12,30 pm, 2 to 5,30 pm, daily. In the first floor, the Museum houses displays of silver jewelry for women and horses, and replicas of the golden bull- and wolf-head sculptures from Altyn Depe. $10. edit Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center (Giant Indoor Ferris Wheel). This is a beautiful building and has the world record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel. There are also coin-operated machines and bumper cars inside. See about 5 manat per person. edit World of Turkmenbashi Tales. This has some neat animatronics and shows of Turkmen fairy tales inside, as well as various amusement park rides (bumper cars, flying carpet, horse race, Disney knock-offs) outside. See 0.60 manat per ride ticket - 6 manat per person will let you see everything. edit Palace of Knowledge (Turkmenbashi Museum), Across from south side of Independence Monument.

There is a library, a threate, and the Turkmenbashi Museum, which seems to be collection of the gifts to, and souvenirs and other knick-knacks of Turkmenbashi. The building, both inside and out, is beautiful. Some of the exhibits are very ornate. 10 USD or 35 manat per foreigner (cheaper for Turkmen). edit Mollanepes Drama Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 79, ☎ 357463. Wes to Sat 7pm. US$ 0,25. edit Magtymguly Theatre, Shevchenko köcesi, ☎ 350564. Fri to Sun 7pm. Turkmen musical performances edit Pushkin Russian Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 142, ☎ 3654193. Sat, SUn 7pm. US$ 0,25. edit All theatres seem to be closed in the summer, perhaps for vacation.

Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] The Yimpas Shopping Center, Turkmenbashi sayoli 75, 9am to 11pm. A combination Western-style supermarket and shopping mall. Great for stocking up on imported food, electronics and bathroom products. Many of these items aren't available elsewhere in the country so buy them while you are here. Upstairs is an expansive food court, including "Sub-Time" a Subway knock-off that serves Indian dishes, pizza place,a burek shop and several Turkmen eateries at reasonable prices. Billards, table tennis and bowling are also avaialble. Tolkuchka Bazaar: 8 km north of Ashgabad, past the airport, Sat, Sun 8am to 2pm, also Thu morning on a smaller scale. Buy a telpek (sheepskin) for US$ 10 to 15, a khalat (red and yellow striped robe for men) for US$ 15 or a typical red carpet for US$ 150 to 250. Be aware that you also need an export certificate, which you can get at the 'expert commission' behind the Carpet Museum, Görogly köcesi 5.

Carpet Shop, Görogly köcesi 5, east of the Carpet Museum, run by the government. Gulistan market (Russian bazaar), ul. M. Kosaev (opposite Grand Turkmen Hotel). 9 a.m. to dusk. A traditional Central Asian bazaar stocked with fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and cheap imported clothing. Despite photos seen online of foreign dignitaries visiting, photos are strongly discouraged. There are several shops which sell souvenirs, such as wool hats. Ask shopkeepers here to change money at the unofficial rate (around 5.25 manat per dollar in July 2016). 8PM. edit Berkarar Mall, Atatürk köçesi, ☎ +993 12 46-88-88, [2] . edit Asuda Nusay, Alishera Navoi Köcesi 54a, ☎ 352288. speciality: sturgeon from the Caspian Sea edit Altyn Jam, Magtymgily sayoli 101, ☎ 396850. European dishes and sweets edit Merdem, Oguzhan St.

1/7, ☎ +9931249 80 02, [3] . 9-23. edit Euphoria, O.Kulieva str. 33, First Floor, ☎ +99312 225505, [4] . edit Yildiz hotel has an excellent bar and restaurant on the top floor. Berkerar shopping centre third floor has a variety of fast food outlets and more expensive and better quality sit down with a knife and fork type restaurants. There is also an excellent children's play area for your little ones to have fun and give you some time to eat in peace. Candybil shopping center has a super Russian restaurant around the back and accessed from the outside. Very pricey but very good and the food can be grilled in front of you on a hazel nut shell BBQ. Restaurantino is Italian themed and very tasty. located next to the American embassy and is probably your best mix of price and quality. British Pub - A decent water hole with pool table, plenty of ales, occasional live music and some half decent food. City Pub - Just across the road from British pub and much smaller.

Yunuz - Smart and upmarket bar with live music DJs and a Salsa night each Thursday Grand Turkmen Hotel Night Club - Enter through a door in the parking lot behind the Grand Turkmen Hotel. There will be several bouncers around the entrance. Tell them that you are going to the disco. Walk through tennis court and next to pool to an entrance at the back of the hotel building. The nightclub is located in the basement. It is open around 9 pm to 3 am. The club and dance floor gets packed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night after around 11 pm. According to patrons, it is the only club open after 11 pm in the city. They play a variety of music, from Russian techno to salsa and reggae, to American music (often with Russian lyrics). Do not expect waitresses to speak English, but they will try to communicate with you, and you can point at the drinks that you want. As in many Russian-style discos, you can buy either a bottle or a shot of vodka. Vodka is about 5 manat per 50 gram (50 mL) shot. Cokes and other mixers are usually more expensive than the vodka.

Sleep[ edit ][ add listing ] Ashgabat has next-to-no acceptable budget options, very few mid-range options and tons of space on the top end. In response the government is building even more luxury accommodation. If coming on an organized trip or a business trip, consider asking your operator to upgrade your hotel. Excess demand may mean a far better hotel for not much more money as extra space is sold off for cheap. Top End Hotel Nissa, Atabaeva Street, 18B, Tel: (+993-12) 22-10-25, Fax:(+993-12) 22-10-23, email: ahal@online.tm. Apparently owned by family of Saparmurat Niyazov, this is a four-star hotel with air conditioning, swimming pool, pool bar, sauna, Turkish sauna, gym, jacuzzi. This is about the "best" quality hotel you'll find in Ashgabat (think somewhat run-down and a bit overpriced for its features), about a 10 minute walk from the war memorial and book shop. The restaurant has decent Italian food.

Expect to come across lots of foreign workers, and women of dubious persuasion at the hotel bar. Some English is, however, spoken. Yyldyz Hotel, Str. 2002/5 17 Bagtyyarlyk, ☎ 993 12 39 09 00, [5] . A new hotel in a hill overlooking Ashgabat. With a sail design that brings to mind the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the oversized hotel has three restaurants, including ones specializing in Chinese and Italian food, three bars, including one of the roof, spa facilities and a massive pool. The location is far from the city, the staff unhelpful and many services are closed with prior warning. Technically the nicest location in Ashgabat, but the Oguzkent is a nicer experience edit Oguzkent Hotel, Bitarap Turkmenistan Avenue, ☎ +993 12 44-95-00, [6] . No longer a Sofitel but still the best hotel in Ashgabat. Location is right next to the Presidential Palace, so close to everything.

Continental restaurant on the top floor has nice views (it's possible to snap photos of many buildings not allowed on the ground) while the Turkish restaurant has quality food at reasonable prices. Sauna, pool, gym, guides and tour services available. Popular with foreign guests and delegations, with good reason. $150-300. edit Budget and Mid-Range Hotel President, Новоарчабильское шоссе 54, Tel: +993 (12) 400000, Fax 993 (12) 40 00 41 und 993 (12) 40 02 22, E-Mail: presidenthotel@online.tm Hotel Grand Turkmen (Гостиница "Грант Туркмен Отель"), ul. Georogly 7 (ул. Героглы, 7), 744000 Ашхабад, Tel: +993 12 51-05-55; Fax +993 12 511251, E-mail: grandhtl@online.tm.

As of July 2016, internet was good 2/3 of the time and poor 1/3 of the time. Wi-Fi is free in the hotel for guests. Some websites (e.g., Lonely Planet) may be blocked. Hotel Ak Altyn, Magtumguly ave 141/1, Tel: +993 12 36 37 00 und +993 12 363701, Fax +993 12 363543 und +993 12 36 34 94, E-Mail: akaltyn@online.tm. $75 per night, Visa accepted (MasterCard is not). An older option that looks a bit scary from the outside but from the inside is a big better. Once the crown-jewel of independent Turkmenistan but ambitions have gotten bigger. Nice pool bar and shashlik area in the back. German and British embassies are inside so there's plenty of security. Wi-Fi is improving but still not great. About $90 for a double.

Hotel Azatlyk, Tel: +993 12 48 87 00, Fax +993 12 48 81 55, E-Mail: ahal@online.tm Hotel Ahal, Tel: +993 12 48 87 37, Fax +993 12 48 01 92, E-Mail: ahal@online.tm Hotel Nebitchi, Tel: +993 12 489360, Fax +993 12 489312 Syyahat Hotel, A little out of the way, West on Gorogly (West on Gorogly Kochesi). This is a big, uncharasmatic hotel with rooms that are a bit shabby, but a good budget option all the same. A basic breakfast is included in the price. Bus no. 10 goes to the centre. dorm $10, single $30, double $50.

edit Internet[ edit ] The Internet situation in Turkmenistan is bad – by far the worst in Central Asia – but not as bad as it was in the recent past. There are some Internet cafés around town that have access from around 6 TMT an hour. High speed mobile Internet is available, but short-term visitors will find it hard to complete the necessary paperwork. Wi-Fi is available in most hotel lobbies (regardless if you are staying there) and the Yimpas Shopping Center. The American government runs a Public Information Center (in a different building than the embassy) with free, unblocked Internet. The Wi-Fi unfortunately is quite slow but desktop terminals are available. Medical services[ edit ] Central Hospital, Emre köcesi 1, phone 450303 or 450331. Foreigners have to pay for their medical treatment. International Medical Center, Berzegi, phone 519006 or 519008. Lechebnii Hospital, Shevchenko sayoli, phone 390877.

Dr.Arslan Nepesow, Turkembashi köcesi 124, phone 425250 Registration[ edit ] SMST ( State Migration Service of Turkmenistan ), Azady köçesi 63, phone 38-00-11, 9 to 12 am, 2 to 5 pm. All persons entering Turkmenistan on a tourist or business visa have to register within three working days. You need two passport photos and your entry card. In most cases the tour operator that invited you will organize this for you. Persons holding transit visas are not required to register.

Turkmenistan Airlines [ [18] ] operates international flights to Abu Dhabi / United Arab Emirates on Fri and Sun, to Almaty / Kazakhstan on Sat, to Amritsar / India on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun, to Birmingham / United Kingdom on Thu, Fri and Sun, to Delhi / India on Sat and Sun, to Dubai / United Arab Emirates on Tue, to Frankfurt / Germany on Tue, Sat and Sun, to Istanbul / Turkey on Mon, Tue, Wed and Sat, to Kiev / Ukraine on Sat, to London / United Kingdom on Tue and Sat, to Moscow / Russia from Mon to Sat and to Tashkent / Uzbekistan on Tue, Ankara , Riga , Saint Petersburg , Minsk , Paris , Kuala Lumpur International flights are operated by B-737, B-757 or B-777 aircraft. (2015) Turkmenistan Airlines [ [19] ] offers domestic flights to Dashogus (6 flights per day), Mary (3 flights per day), Turkmenabat (5 flights per day) and Turkmenbashi (3 flights per day), Balkanabat .

(2015) By rail[ edit ] Turkmendemiryollari (Turkmenistan Zeleznice) (phone 255545, fax 473858) runs trains from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabat via Mary . Train 24 to Turkmenbashi leaves Ashabat every second day at 8.40 pm and arrives at Turkmenbashi at 6.55 am next morning. Train 606 leaves Ashabat daily at 8.10 pm, arriving in Turkmenbashi at 9.15 am next morning. Trains to Turkmenabat and Mary leave Ashabat at 7.40 daily, arriving at Mary at 5 pm and at Turkmenabat at 11 pm. Train 195 leaves Ashabat daily at 5.20 pm and arrives at Turkmenabat at 7.35 am next morning.

Train 21 leaves Ashabat every second day at 10.10 pm, ans arrives at Mary at 5.25 and at Turkmenabat at 9.40 next morning. Iran - Take a taxi to the border, which is about 7km south of the city, so $10 should be enough to offer. After going through the first checkpoint its a 25 minute drive across nice landscape in a shared minibus, for which they charge a very steep 40 Manat/ $14 approx per person. This is the price for foreigners. After entering into Iran, take the frequent bus to Bajgiran village 2km down the road (10,000 rial), from where you can find a taxi to take you to Quchan 70km away (250,000 - 300,000 rial / $8-10) (Sept 2013). If continuing to Mashhad just say "Mashhad autobus" and they should take you to the correct location. The taxis leaving from the border are more expensive than the village, so its worth the short journey.

Question: Ashkabat is the capital of which country?
Answer: Turkmenistan