This ‘Invite-Only’ Country is Finally Opening for Tourists
Turkmenistan isn’t exactly known for being tourist-friendly. One of the world’s most closed-off countries, it’s long been infamous for its strict visa rules, Soviet-style bureaucracy, and minimal foreign access. But that could be about to change.
Until now, visiting the Central Asian nation meant applying in advance for a visa and providing a formal ‘letter of invitation’ — a process that turned off even the most adventurous travellers. But under a new law reported by The Independent, Turkmenistan is finally loosening its borders.
A Major Shift
The country’s president, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, has approved a new e-visa system that drops the invitation requirement. Tourists and business travellers will soon be able to apply via a simplified online form. The specifics — like the types of visas and how long they’re valid — are still being finalised, but this is a major step toward opening up the country.
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Let’s start with the showstopper: the Darvaza Gas Crater — better known as the “Gates of Hell.” This fiery pit in the Karakum Desert has been burning since 1971, when a gas drilling accident sparked a fire that geologists thought would last a few weeks. More than 50 years later, it’s still blazing.
Turkmenistan also has a serious Silk Road history. The ancient oasis city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates back some 4,000 years. And if you’re into surreal landscapes, Yangykala Canyon (literally translating to “fiery fortresses”) offers dramatic, Mars-like rock formations just a few hours from the Caspian Sea.
More Highlights
Other must-sees include the Köw Ata underground lake, the cave shrine of Kyrk Gyz, and the gleaming Saparmurat Hajji Mosque. In the capital, Ashgabat — dubbed the “city of the dead” for its bizarrely empty streets and grandiose white marble architecture — you’ll also find the sprawling Tolkuchka Bazaar, a market experience like no other.
So, if you're an adventurous traveller looking for something a little different—and don’t mind trading beach bars for burning craters and surreal Soviet-era cities—Turkmenistan might just be your next unexpected destination!
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