The memorial complex “People’s Memory” in Ashgabat stands as a significant monument, honoring the fallen soldiers of Turkmenistan. It encompasses the central architectural composition “Eternal Glory,” commemorating those who perished during the Great Patriotic War. Additionally, it includes monuments dedicated to the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake in 1948 and the fallen participants of the Gokdepe Battle of 1881. 

Memorial Day, observed on October 6, marks the tragic earthquake that struck Turkmenistan’s capital in 1948, claiming countless lives.  On this day, Turkmen people also honor the defenders of the Goktepe fortress and those who sacrificed their lives during the Great Patriotic War. It’s a solemn occasion to remember the resilience and sacrifices of past generations.

The Independence Park hosts the Ruhnama Book Monument, the Monument dedicated to the fifth year of independence and the Monument dedicated to the tenth year of independence.

The latter monument, in the shape of a yurt, stands out because of its tall 91 m marble column, with a 27 m high golden peak and flanked by massive statues of famous Turkmen historical figures. A statue of the first President of Turkmenistan stands in the path leading up to the main statue.

Nohur is home to a small community that lives in the high valleys of the Kopetdag Mountains. Nohur local culture has been preserved due to its isolation from mainland Turkmenistan.

Nohur is also a center of keteni (Turkmen silk) weaving, and this art is practiced by virtually every household up to today. Next to its cultural aspects, a visit to Nohur will also give an opportunity to enjoy magnificent mountain landscapes, canyons, waterfalls and highlands.

Ashgabat international airport, which opened in September 2016 and is a modern terminal with modernized infrastructure facilities aimed at servicing a large passenger flow, set a new world record: the airport has the largest three-dimensional 3D aluminum roof, according to the World Record Academy.

Prior to this, the grandiose architectural structure was decided by the Academy of world records to become a world record holder twice: as the largest building in the shape of a bird (Falcon) and the widest wingspan of a symbolic Falcon.

In 2016, Ashgabat international airport was included in the Guinness Book of world records due to the largest image of gels (705 square meters) that decorated the main passenger terminal.

Recall that the airport complex is located on an area of 1,200 hectares and includes 100 structures. The main airport terminal has a total enclosed area of 161,851 m2. Its capacity is 1,600 people per hour. The construction contractor for the project was the Turkish company Polimeks Construction. The scope of the contract also included the supply of ground vehicles, equipment for maintenance and security of air traffic control systems.

At the opening ceremony of the airport, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed: "we have all the opportunities to become a transport bridge that promotes economic cooperation between Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and South Asia."

The center of a gas-rich area in the heart of the Karakum desert attracts travelers from all over the world because of its unique burning crater, that offers a particularly spectacular view in the dark.

In the early seventies, an underground cavern filled with natural gas was identified here, remained unexploited, and therefore today looks like a large circular 60-m wide hole with hundreds of fires burning inside, some of them with flames up to 10-15 m high.

The plateau is located in the Kugitang Mountains, and hosts the imprints of more than 400 footsteps of dinosaurs on a steep limestone slope. The largest has a diameter of 80 centimeters.

The footprints were left on the bottom of a shallow lake. When the lake dried up, the footprints baked in the sun. Later, a volcanic eruption sealed them in lava. The giant dinosaurs were accompanied by smaller ones whose footprints are similar to a human foot.

Merw, located at the former banks of the Murghab River, was the most important Silk Road hub in the region, and particularly thriving as regional capital under Seljuk governor Sanjar. 

Merw is the collective name of five urban centers that existed under various different names in different periods of time from the VI c BC up to the XVIII c AD. The entire 120 ha site of Merw has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

Kunya Urgench owes its UNESCO World Heritage status to the fact that it was an important Silk Road hub on the Oxus River, and capital of the Khorezm Empire (12th c AD), until its destruction by the armies of Dzhengis Khan.

Several mausoleums, town wall remains, the tallest minaret in Central Asia and the Kyrk Molla pilgrim mount reflect the various roles of this historical city, which was praised by historical figures such as Biruni and Avicenna, Al-Farabi and Al-Khorezmi.

The Cave of the Forty Girls is one of the most revered pilgrim shrines in Turkmenistan. It is located at the end of a narrow gorge in the Kugitang Mountains and easily accessible on foot.

The ceiling of the cavern is covered entirely with pieces of wishing-cloths, that pilgrims have flung up there with the help of chunks of mud. Legend says that the cave brought protection to a group of girls chased by local bandits.

Impressive white, green and red limestone formations rise up from the desert sands. These cliffs are the remains of massive coastline and seabed of the pre-historical Parathetys Sea.

This surreal landscape is impressive at any time of day, but sunset and sunrise offer particularly spectacular views. The area is reachable only by 4-wheel drive, passing through the Balkan Mountains and a vast highland area where camels, sheep and horses graze.

Kowata (literally: Father of Caves) is one out of a dozen karst caves in Turkmenistan, created as a result of carbonate accumulation millions of years ago.

The waters in the cave's lake holds multiple minerals. The cave is 65 meters deep, and the lake is on average 10 meters deep, with an average water temperature of 37 degrees year-round. After a swim in the lake you can enjoy tea and shashlyk under the trees next to the cave.

The Ruhy Mosque (literally: spiritual mosque) at Kipchak was built between 2002 and 2004, and is one of the five largest mosques in the world (capacity of 20,000 people).

Its outer construction largely made up of white marble, the structure forms a magnificent contrast against the backdrop of the Kopetdag mountains, and the golden cupola can be seen from far away. The mosque architectural details hold numerous Turkmen symbolisms. The next door mausoleum holds the graves of Turkmenistan's first president and his family. 

Just outside Ashgabat to the east, Anau is the site of an urban settlement that existed since the Bronze Ages, but flourished particularly under Parthian and Timurid rule.

Next to excavation mounts and the remains of the medieval fortress are the remains of the portal of the magnificent mosque of Said Jemaliddin, constructed in 1456. Although the portal collapsed during the 1948 earthquake, the remains are impressive. It serves as an important local pilgrim destination.

The mosque, inaugurated in 1998 and constructed by a Turkish construction company, is named after Ertogrul Ghazi, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.

It is sometimes also referred to as Azady Mosque. The design is reminiscent of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and is an expression of the friendship between the Turkish and the Turkmen people. Both exterior and interior design are exquisite and the mosque is well worth a visit.

In the heart of Ashgabat stands one of the most unusual monuments in Central Asia — the Ruhnama Monument, a 6-metre-high sculpture shaped like a giant book.
Installed in 2003, it used to open mechanically every evening, illuminating the square and displaying a digital page from the Ruhnama on built-in screens. Although no longer operational, it remains a powerful symbol of a unique cultural moment in Turkmen history.

What is the Ruhnama?

Ruhnama, or Book of the Soul, is a two-volume work written by Turkmenistan’s first president, Saparmurat Türkmenbaşy. Blending spiritual guidance, national mythology, personal memoirs, poems, parables, and reflections on Turkmen identity, it was meant to serve as a unifying cultural and moral foundation for the country’s future.

At its height, the Ruhnama played a central role in Turkmen civic life:

• It was a required subject in schools and universities.
• Knowledge of the book was mandatory for civil service jobs and even driving licence exams.
• It was translated into more than 40 languages and launched into space aboard a satellite in 2005.

One of the most iconic places where the Ruhnama is honoured is the Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia, located in the town of Gypjak. Its walls and minarets feature inscriptions from both the Quran and the Ruhnama, symbolising the intended harmony between spiritual belief and national identity.

Although the book’s influence began to wane after 2007 and it was removed from the national curriculum, the Ruhnamaremains a distinctive and thought-provoking chapter in the cultural landscape of Turkmenistan.

The Wedding Palace in Ashgabat, is an iconic architectural landmark that serves as a venue for weddings and other significant celebrations. Known for its striking design and grandeur, the palace reflects the country’s cultural values and traditions related to marriage.

The architectural features of the Wedding Palace are characterized by its opulent exterior, often decorated with white marble, the signature material of Turkmen architecture.

A wedding in Turkmen culture is a monumental event, which is often celebrated in a grand manner. The Wedding palace epitomizes this importance by providing a space that symbolizes joy, unity and the beginning of a new life together.

Since 2012, Ashgabat hosts the world’s largest Ferris wheel in an enclosed architectural design. It measures 47,60 meters in height, and has a diameter of 57 meters.

A large glass and white-steel casing houses the Ferris wheel, which has 24 six-seat cabins. At night, the construction is beautifully lit my multi-colored spotlights. It is located in the southern part of Ashgabat, from where the entire skyline of the city can be admired.

Originally constructed next to the Central Square in the old city center, it was the landmark of Ashgabat, until in late 2011 re-opened at its new location at the southern edges of the city.

The tripod construction in concrete, with its decorative legs and belt, dedicated to Turkmenistan recognition as a neutral country by the United Nations in 1993. It is famous for the golden statue of the first president of Turkmenistan, that crowns the top.

The Museum was opened in 1998 and has a total area of 165323,21 m². On the ground floor of the main building there is a hall of Independence, hall of a Turkmen carpet and temporary exhibitions; on the first floor - hall of Ancient history, Margush, Parthia and two halls of history of the Middle Ages.9 history halls house the Turkmenistan’s major collection of artifacts discovered at various excavation sites in Turkmenistan.

These include the ivory rythons found at Nissa, and the Merw vase and Buddha head found at Merw, and one of the biggest hand -made carpets in the world, a good collection of Turkmenistan jewelry and costumes. In front of the museum stands the 5th tallest unsupported flagpole in the world.