Ashgabat (Turkmen: Aşgabat, also Ashkabat, Ashkhabad, Ashgabad, etc.) is the capital of Turkmenistan, surrounded by Ahal Province. It was designed as to be an impressive capital city, filled with monumental projects sheathed in costly white marble.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Ashgabat's historical appellation is "The City of Love" but nowadays its modern nickname, "The City of White Marble" will seem vastly more appropriate. Saparmurat Niyazov, the president of Turkmenistan from 1985 to 2006, transformed the city from a relatively drab Soviet capital to a city of pure white marble buildings, many containing some rather overbearing symbolism (the Ministry of World Affairs building is a perfect illustration).
"Taxi", by which everyone means hitchhiking is probably the best way to get around Ashgabat. Simply hold out your arm at a downward angle with two fingers extended, and a car (usually a Lada) will stop. Say where you are going. If they nod, get in, otherwise they will go on and you have to wait for the next car. Expect payment to be about US$2 per person. Hitchhiking is an entirely safe mode of transport in Turkmenistan—everyone uses it. There are also official taxis which can be easily found in front of the arrivals hall of the airport and close to the railway station. They are safer but more expensive. Ashgabat has a very extensive and convenient bus system.
1 National Museum, Archabil sayoli 30 (in front of the Kopet Dag), ☏ +993 12 454954. 09:00-17:00. Hall 1 is dedicated to post-independence Turkmenistan, Hall 2 (upstairs) has a focus on ancient history with exhibits from Bronze Age sites and artefacts from Margiana. Halls 3 shows artefacts found at the Parthian site of Nisa. In Hall 4 a model of the medieval Merv, dioramas from Konye Urgench and Anau and the beautiful Merv vase are exhibited. Hall 5 and 6 display collections of weapons, musical instruments, silver jewellery and female dress. In Hall 7 (downstairs) a 20 m x 13 m carpet is exhibited. US$10, camera US$1. 2 Museum of Fine Arts (west of the Palace of Justice), ☏ +993 12 351566.
Mollanepes Drama Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 79, ☏ +993 12 357463. W-Sa 19:00. US$0.25. Magtymguly Theatre, Shevchenko köcesi, ☏ +993 12 350564. F-Su 19:00. Turkmen musical performances Pushkin Russian Theatre, Magtymguly sayoli 142, ☏ +993 12 3654193. Sa Su 19:00. US$0.25. 1 World of Turkmenbashi Tales, Garaşsyzlyk şaýoly. An amusement park centered around Turkmenbashi lore, with a magic carpet ride featuring Turkomen carpets. (updated May 2022) 2 Alem Center. Alem meaning universe, the site boasts another record-setter for the city, as it supposedly holds the world's tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space.
1 Hezzet Restaurant, Oguzhan Street 5/7, ☏ +993 12 49 80 02. Daily 10:00-23:00. Authentic Turkmen food that you can eat seated on the ground in a yurt, or at a table, stuff like shashlik. (updated May 2022) 2 AlpEt Steakhouse, Rd of 9th Km (next to Hotel Ashgabat), ☏ +993 12 95 19 51. Daily 08:00-23:00. Have the steak, or just some coffee. (updated May 2022) Altyn Jam, Magtymgily sayoli 101, ☏ +993 12 93-02-22. European dishes and sweets.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Ashgabat typically sees ~38°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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