Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat on Monday (March 20) hosted an opening ceremony of the international conference on main trends and potential for the country's tourism development.
In his welcoming address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that great importance is attached to the development of international tourism collaboration in the context of the obligations arising from the status of permanent neutrality.
The tourism industry occupies a special place in Turkmenistan's strategic plans. Under the entry rules, one needs to obtain a visa as Ashgabat withdrew from the CIS agreement on visa-free travel in 1999.
Meanwhile, local authorities plan to introduce a special simplified visa regime for foreigners wishing to visit the seaside resort of Avaza on the Caspian Sea.
Turkmenistan was crossed by the Great Silk Road and has a rich folk culture and unique natural landscape.
Nisa, Merv, and Kunyaurgench are archaeological sites included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.
The foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, the flora and fauna of one of the largest sandy deserts in the world as well as the Karakum, the Amu Darya coast, the Koytendag, and the subtropical regions of southwestern Turkmenistan are a boon for eco-tourism lovers.
Not far from Ashgabat, there is the Bakharden Cave with a large underground lake 16 m deep and 70 m long. In the Lebap region, there is a mysterious place where up to 4,000 dinosaur footprints of the Upper Jurassic period are preserved.
In the Balkan region, the Yangi-Kala Canyon ('Fire Fortresses') is fascinating, especially at sunset. These cliffs of purple, yellow, beige, and red seem like castles from Game of Thrones. You can go on a jeep safari or an overnight camping trip.
Darwaza is recognized as the most popular pilgrimage site. The gas crater, some 60 meters wide and 20 meters deep, has been given the unofficial name "Gates of Hell", thanks to video clips posted on the internet by several foreign tourists.
The anomaly emerged during geological exploration. One way or another, over the past 50 years the Soviet Union has ceased to exist and the gas continues to burn to this day.
Credits: Eziz Boyarov, Ashgabat
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