Ashgabat, the dazzling capital of Turkmenistan, is a city unlike any other. Known as the “White Marble City,” Ashgabat holds a Guinness World Record for having the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world. With its striking modern architecture, grand monuments, and wide boulevards, the city feels both futuristic and deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage.
Ashgabat is home to one of the world’s most striking airports, uniquely designed in the shape of a bird. The international airport operates scheduled flights from major global cities such as Moscow, Istanbul, Milan, Dubai, and Seoul, with international connections typically available once a week.
The city is well connected domestically, with daily flights from other major Turkmen cities, including Mary, Dashoguz, Turkmenabad, and Turkmenbashi, making air travel the most convenient way to reach the capital.
Ashgabat can also be accessed by road from cities such as Mary, Turkmenbashi, and Dashoguz. Located near the Iranian border, the city is just 32 km north of the Gaudan–Bajgiran border crossing, which operates during daylight hours.
In addition, Ashgabat has both a railway station and a central bus terminal, offering services from Turkmenbashi and Dashoguz. While these options are available, they are generally less popular among international travelers compared to air and road transport.
Today, Ashgabat is renowned for its lavish architectural style and monumental public buildings. Must-see landmarks include:
Independence Monument — a 118-meter-high symbol of national pride, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and statues.
Neutrality Monument — famous for its golden statue of former President Saparmurat Niyazov, offering panoramic city views.
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center — home to one of the world’s largest indoor Ferris wheels.
Arch of Neutrality — another viewpoint for sweeping cityscapes.
Turkmenistan National Museum of History — showcasing fascinating artifacts from Turkmenistan’s ancient past.
Ertugrul Gazi Mosque — a stunning Ottoman-style mosque that stands as one of the city’s most photographed sites.
The history of modern Ashgabat spans nearly two centuries. Although the exact date of its founding remains unknown, the settlement is mentioned in several mid-19th century documents as a small community centered around a fortress. Many historians trace Ashgabat’s significant development to 1881, when Russian forces, following the conquest of Central Asia, constructed a fort and designated the settlement as an administrative center, officially naming it Ashgabat.
The city gradually expanded with the establishment of essential infrastructure, including a post office, railway station, and administrative institutions. During the early Soviet period, Ashgabat was temporarily renamed Poltoratsk in honor of revolutionary Pavel Poltoratskiy. In 1927, the historical name Ashgabat was restored, and the city became the capital of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic.
One of the most tragic events in Ashgabat’s history occurred on October 6, 1948, when a devastating earthquake measuring 9–10 on the Richter scale struck the city. The disaster destroyed more than 90 percent of buildings, and estimates of the death toll range from 60,000 to 176,000 people. This catastrophe remains a solemn chapter in Turkmenistan’s history and is commemorated annually.
Following independence in 1991, Ashgabat underwent rapid urban development and extensive reconstruction. The city more than doubled in size, with the emergence of new residential districts, business centers, and hotels. In 2017, Ashgabat completed Olympic City, the largest sports complex in Central Asia, comprising 30 modern sports facilities.
Historically, the territory of present-day Ashgabat was once home to the ancient city of Konjikal, founded in the 2nd century BC and destroyed in the 13th century. Additionally, just 15 kilometers west of Ashgabat are the remains of Ancient Nisa, the former capital of the Parthian Kingdom dating back to the 3rd century BC.
Ashgabat features two very interesting museums: the State Museum of Turkmenistan and the Carpet Museum. The State Museum has a rich collection of artifacts from the country’s history, from antiquity to the present day, including art objects, historical documents, carpet samples, and other items. The total number of exhibits exceeds 130,000.
The Turkmen Carpet Museum is unique, showcasing 2,000 handmade carpets. The largest of these carpets, which covers an area of 301 square meters, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Carpets are a significant symbol in Turkmenistan, and the country even has a dedicated holiday to celebrate them, which is brightly commemorated at the museum.
In addition to these popular museums, visitors to Ashgabat can also explore the Museum of Wildlife, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the “Ak Bugday” Museum, which is dedicated to wheat and its cultivation in Turkmenistan.
Transportation in Ashgabat
In the capital city of Ashgabat, the main modes of transportation are buses and cabs. There are 90 different bus routes covering the entire city, and many stops are air-conditioned. Cabs are represented by an official cab service and occasional private cabs. Public transportation costs 0.5 manat, while a cab ride costs an average of 20 manat.
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