Turkmenistan's culture is a rich tapestry shaped by its nomadic heritage, Islamic traditions, and Soviet influence. Positioned along the ancient Silk Road, the country has been a crossroads of civilization for centuries, cultivating a unique cultural identity that balances traditional values with modern developments.

Key elements of Turkmen culture include:

• Nomadic heritage: The Turkmen people have strong historical ties to nomadic traditions, particularly visible in their iconic yurts (portable dwellings), intricate textiles, and equestrian culture. The Akhal-Teke horse breed, known for its speed, endurance, and distinctive metallic coat, is a national symbol and source of pride.
• Hospitality: Like many Central Asian cultures, Turkmen society places enormous emphasis on hospitality. Guests are treated with exceptional respect and generosity. Tradition holds that a guest should be offered food and shelter for three days without being asked the purpose of their visit.
• Traditional crafts: Carpet weaving is perhaps the most celebrated Turkmen art form. The distinctive red Bukhara carpet (named after the trading city where they were often sold) features geometric patterns specific to different Turkmen tribes. These carpets are hand-knotted using techniques passed down through generations and appear on the national flag.
• Music and dance: Traditional Turkmen music often features the dutar (a two-stringed lute) and the gijak (a bowed string instrument). Folk dances celebrate aspects of daily life, historical events, and natural phenomena. The kushtdepdi, a traditional folk dance, has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• National dress: Traditional clothing remains important, especially for celebrations. Men wear high, shaggy sheepskin hats (telpek) and robes called don, while women wear long dresses with distinctive embroidery at the neckline and colorful head scarves called kurte. Both men and women may wear intricate jewelry featuring silver and carnelian stones.

Turkmen cuisine reflects the country's nomadic past and agricultural present, with influences from various neighboring cultures:

• Staple foods: Flatbreads (çörek) are essential to most meals. Pilaf (palaw), made with rice, meat, and carrots, is a classic dish often prepared for special occasions.
• Meat dishes: Due to their nomadic heritage, Turkmen cuisine features various meat dishes, particularly lamb and mutton. Kebabs, dumplings filled with meat (börek), and hearty soups like shurpa (meat and vegetable soup) are popular.
• Dairy products: Fermented camel's milk (chal) is a traditional beverage, while various yogurts and cheeses play important roles in the daily diet.
• Melons: Turkmenistan is famous for its melons, with dozens of varieties grown throughout the country. The annual Melon Day holiday celebrates this important crop.
• Tea culture: Green tea (gök çay) is the national drink, typically served from a metal teapot before meals and throughout the day as a gesture of hospitality.

Modern Turkmen culture reflects both traditional values and the country's unique political trajectory since independence. Family ties remain extremely important, with extended families maintaining close connections. The government has promoted a distinct national identity focused on Turkmen heritage, with large-scale architectural projects in the capital city showcasing both traditional motifs and contemporary designs. While Turkmenistan embraces aspects of modernization, it maintains strong ties to its historical roots and traditional social structures.

Turkmenistan offers visitors a glimpse into a distinctive and less-traveled part of Central Asia. While tourism infrastructure remains less developed than in neighboring countries, the country features remarkable natural wonders, ancient archaeological sites, and striking modern architecture in its marble-clad capital.

Here are some of Turkmenistan's most remarkable destinations:

Darvaza Gas Crater: Often called the "Door to Hell" or "Gates of Hell," this 70-meter-wide burning crater is one of Turkmenistan's most famous attractions. Created in the 1970s when a Soviet drilling operation collapsed into a natural gas cavity, the crater was deliberately set alight to prevent gas spread. Engineers expected it to burn for a few weeks, but it has continued burning for over 50 years. The fiery crater, located in the middle of the Karakum Desert, creates a spectacular sight, especially at night.

Ancient Merv: This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the oldest and best-preserved oasis cities along the Silk Road. Comprising five distinct ancient cities built adjacent to each other over different periods, Merv was once one of the world's largest cities. The archaeological complex includes impressive structures from various periods, including the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, fortress walls, ice houses, and the remains of intricate irrigation systems. The site spans over 1,000 years of history.

Ashgabat: The capital city is famous for its gleaming white marble buildings, grand monuments, and ornate public spaces. Notable attractions include the Independence Monument (featuring traditional Turkmen motifs), the world's largest indoor Ferris wheel at the Alem Entertainment Center, the enormous Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, the National Museum, and the unique Wedding Palace shaped like a giant wedding cake. The city holds the Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings.

Kow Ata Underground Lake: Located 100 meters below ground inside a limestone cave, this thermal lake maintains a constant temperature of 33-37°C (91-99°F). Rich in minerals including sulfur, the waters are believed to have healing properties. The cave system extends for kilometers, though only a small portion is accessible to visitors. The unusual swimming experience in this naturally heated underground lake offers a welcome respite from the desert heat.

Kunya-Urgench: Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this ancient city was once a major center of the Islamic world. Located in northern Turkmenistan near the Uzbekistan border, its impressive monuments include the 60-meter-tall Kutlug Timur Minaret (one of the tallest in Central Asia), the beautifully adorned Turabek Khanum Mausoleum, and the 12th-century Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh with its distinctive conical dome.

Other notable destinations include the ruins of the ancient Parthian city of Nisa, the coastal city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, the stunning canyons of Yangykala with their multi-colored striations, the picturesque mountain town of Nokhur known for its distinctive cemetery with ram horn grave markers, and the historic city of Konye-Urgench with its impressive medieval architecture.

Transportation in Turkmenistan presents some unique characteristics compared to many other countries. The government heavily subsidizes fuel, making road travel relatively inexpensive, but there are restrictions on movement for tourists, who typically need to arrange transportation through tour operators for travel between major cities.

• Domestic flights: Turkmenistan Airlines operates domestic routes connecting Ashgabat with major cities including Dashoguz, Mary, and Turkmenbashi. Flights are relatively affordable but can have inconsistent schedules. The fleet consists primarily of Boeing aircraft. All domestic flights operate from Ashgabat International Airport's domestic terminal.
• Trains: Turkmenistan has an improving railway network, with the main line running from Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea through Ashgabat and Mary to the eastern border with Uzbekistan. A newer north-south line connects to Kazakhstan. Train travel is economical but slow, with varying levels of comfort. A new international route connects Ashgabat with Mashhad in Iran.
• Buses and shared taxis: Bus services operate between major cities and within urban areas. For intercity travel, shared taxis (usually large Chevrolet or Toyota sedans that depart when full) are often more convenient than buses, offering faster travel times, though at slightly higher costs. In Ashgabat, public buses operate on set routes for a nominal fee.
• Car travel: Independent self-driving is challenging for tourists. Renting a car is uncommon, and driving as a foreigner requires special permits. Most tourists travel with a driver provided by a tour company. Road quality varies considerably, with good highways connecting major cities but poorer conditions in remote areas. Checkpoints are common between different regions of the country.
• Urban transportation: In Ashgabat, options include:
  • City buses serving major routes with inexpensive fares
  • Limited trolleybus network
  • Taxis, both official (with meters) and unofficial (requiring negotiation)
  • Walking, which is comfortable in the city center with its wide boulevards and parks
• Caspian Sea ferry: An irregular ferry service connects Turkmenbashi with Baku, Azerbaijan. The service is primarily for cargo but does take passengers. Schedules are unpredictable and dependent on weather and cargo demands, making this option challenging for tourists on tight schedules.

Transportation tips: Consider these factors when planning travel in Turkmenistan:

• Tours typically include all transportation, which simplifies travel given the country's restrictions
• Travel permits are required for many areas outside Ashgabat
• Advance planning is essential, as spontaneous travel is difficult
• Fuel is inexpensive due to government subsidies, but foreign visitors may not benefit directly from this if using tour services
• Roads between major cities are generally in good condition, but travel times can be lengthy due to distances and occasional checkpoints

Turkmenistan has several airports serving both international and domestic routes, with Ashgabat serving as the country's primary aviation hub. The airport infrastructure has seen significant investment in recent years, particularly with the construction of the new Ashgabat International Airport.

• Ashgabat International Airport (ASB): The main gateway to Turkmenistan, this modern airport opened in 2016 with a distinctive bird-shaped design and cost a reported $2.3 billion. The terminal building is shaped like a falcon and can handle up to 1,600 passengers per hour. It features a VIP terminal, hotel, and advanced technology systems. Turkmenistan Airlines uses Ashgabat as its hub, with international flights to destinations including Istanbul, Moscow, Frankfurt, Dubai, and Beijing.
• Turkmenbashi International Airport (KRW): Serving the port city of Turkmenbashi on the Caspian Sea, this airport handles domestic flights and limited international service, primarily to cities in neighboring countries. The airport was renovated in 2010 with modern facilities.
• Mary International Airport (MYP): Located near the historical city of Mary in southeastern Turkmenistan, this airport mainly serves domestic routes with occasional international charter flights. It provides access to the ancient Silk Road city of Merv.
• Dashoguz Airport (TAZ): Situated in the northern part of the country, this airport connects to Ashgabat with regular domestic flights and offers occasional service to neighboring countries. It provides access to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kunya-Urgench.
• Turkmenabat Airport (CRZ): Located in the eastern city of Turkmenabat near the Uzbekistan border, this airport primarily handles domestic traffic with limited international service. It serves as an important connection point for the eastern regions of the country.

Airport Transportation: Options for reaching your destination from major airports include:

• Ashgabat International Airport: Located about 10 km north of the city center. Transportation options include official airport taxis (with higher fixed rates), regular city taxis (which can be negotiated), and pre-arranged transfers through hotels or tour operators. There is no public bus service directly connecting the airport to the city center.
• Regional airports: Transportation options at other airports in Turkmenistan are more limited. Pre-arranged transfers through tour operators are recommended, as public transportation may be inconsistent and language barriers can make negotiating with local taxis challenging.

Important notes: Airport security in Turkmenistan is stringent, with multiple security checks. Arrive at least 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights. Photography may be restricted in and around airports. When departing Turkmenistan, be prepared for thorough customs inspections, particularly regarding cultural artifacts, which require special export permits.

Turkmenistan has one of the more complex and restrictive visa policies in Central Asia. Most visitors require not only a visa but also a letter of invitation, and independent travel is limited, with most tourists visiting as part of organized tours.

Visa Options by Nationality

The following table outlines visa requirements for common nationalities:

Nationality	Visa Requirement	Maximum Stay
Most Countries (including US, EU, UK, Australia)	Visa Required	Typically 10-21 days (tour duration)
Georgia	Visa-Free	30 days
Most Nationalities - Transit	Transit Visa	3-7 days (for transit purposes only)
CIS Countries (except Russia)	Visa Required	Up to 30 days
All Business Travelers	Business Visa Required	Up to 30 days (potentially extendable)

Visa Process: For most visitors, the visa application process involves:

• Securing a letter of invitation (LOI) through a registered Turkmen tour agency, which must be approved by the State Migration Service
• Once the LOI is approved, applying at a Turkmen embassy or consulate with the letter, application form, passport photos, and payment
• Processing time can range from 3-10 business days once the LOI is approved
• Transit visas may be slightly easier to obtain if you can demonstrate a clear route entering from one country and exiting to another

Entry requirements: All visitors to Turkmenistan must have:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the visa expiration date
• Registration with the State Migration Service within 3 business days of arrival (usually handled by hotels or tour operators)
• A valid return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodations for the entire stay

Important Travel Considerations

• Currency and payments: The Turkmenistan Manat (TMT) is the official currency. Currency exchange is strictly controlled, and the official rate may differ significantly from black market rates. Exchange only at official banks or exchange offices. ATMs are limited, even in Ashgabat, and often do not accept foreign cards. Credit cards are rarely accepted outside high-end hotels. Bring sufficient cash (USD or EUR) for your entire stay.
• Language: Turkmen is the official language, with Russian widely spoken as a second language, particularly in urban areas. English is limited to some tourism professionals and younger people in Ashgabat. Learning a few basic phrases in Turkmen or Russian is highly beneficial.
• Health and safety: Healthcare facilities are limited outside Ashgabat, and even in the capital, medical equipment and medications may be in short supply. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage is strongly recommended. Turkmenistan has a low crime rate, but standard precautions regarding valuables should be taken. Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled water.
• Dress code: While Turkmenistan is a secular state, conservative dress is appropriate, especially outside tourist areas. Women should consider covering shoulders and knees, particularly when visiting religious sites. In Ashgabat, there are some additional dress codes – brightly colored clothing is encouraged, but black cars have been restricted in the capital.

Best time to visit: Turkmenistan's climate is continental desert, with extreme temperature variations:

• Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October): Generally the best times to visit, with moderate temperatures and lower probability of sandstorms
• Summer (June-August): Extremely hot, particularly in the Karakum Desert, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C (104°F)
• Winter (November-March): Cold, especially in the north, with temperatures dropping below freezing. Mountain areas can experience heavy snowfall

Cultural etiquette: Turkmen people are known for their hospitality and friendliness toward visitors. Some helpful tips:

• When visiting a Turkmen home, bringing a small gift (but not alcohol) is appreciated
• Remove shoes when entering private homes
• It's customary to refuse offers of food or drink at least once before accepting
• Photography is heavily restricted – always ask permission and avoid government buildings, airports, and infrastructure
• Public displays of affection should be avoided
• Political discussions, particularly criticism of the government, should be avoided in public