Turkmenistan Opening Its Doors

Filed in archive A World Away on February 25, 2009

I've thought about going to Central Asia someday. I have friends who've been to Northwest China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and even Afghanistan. Now I see from Gading that Turkmenistan is opening up to tourism.

The death in 2006 of Stalin-styled dictator Saparmurat Niyazov has loosened the place up.

What does Turkmenistan have to offer to prospective visitors? The country is an interesting mix of ancient history, strange natural wonders, and a Soviet style cult of personality. Statues of Niyazov are everywhere... giving travelers a look back into an era of communist dictators. And for those wanting to look even further back in history, there are remnants of the old Silk Road that still remain in remote regions of the country.

Turkmenistan is an exotic trip back in time.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 866449