Between the Caspian Sea in the west and the great Amu Darya in the east, Turkmenistan is situated in the very heart of Central Asia. It also centralized from Aral Sea coastal steppes in the north to the Kopet Dag mountain range to the south. The cities in Turkmenistan are so amazing and worth visiting.  Founded in 1991 after the disintegration of the USSR, Turkmenistan is an independent state and five years later it attained a unique political status. It was also recognized by the United Nations Organization. The majority are Turkmen, Uzbeks, and Russians in major cities in Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is one of the ancient cities in Turkmenistan, estimated to be about 2300 years old. If you are planning to explore cities to visit in Turkmenistan, do not miss the natural and cultural highlights:

List of Cities in Turkmenistan 

1. Ashgabat

Having 879,846 residents, Ashgabat is a modern city was established on the Kopet Dag foothills in 1881. The city was strategically located on the Transcaspian Railway and the caravan routes and began as a Russian military fort. From 1919 to 1927, the city was briefly named Poltoratsk, under the Soviet Union until 1991 it was the capital of Turkmenistan. With small communities of Russians, Uzbeks, Azeris, and Armenians, the city’s population is majorly Turkmen. The main religion is Sunni Islam practiced in this largest city in Turkmenistan. Ashgabat is also known as a political and administrative center.  From textiles, metallurgy, carpet-weaving, to glassworks, industries in the city range. 

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2. Turkmenabat

The city of Turkmenabat is home to 243,909 residents and serves as the capital of Lebap Province. One of the best cities in Turkmenistan, referred to as Amul, was an important region on the Great Silk Road. As a settlement for Cossack Russians in 1886, The contemporary city began.  At the junction of the Transcaspian Railway, the city is conveniently situated. It is one of the main cities in Turkmenistan. During the Soviet Union period, Türkmenabat was known as Chardjuy and it was the country’s transport and industrial center

 

3. Kunya-Urgench 

Chinese sources mentioned the city of Yue-gan, at the beginning of the 1st century AD, which has been correlated with the city of Gurgench or Urgench.  According to ancient and medieval geographic conceptions, it relates to Khorezm. This city was written about in connection with the most important political events in the region In the later period. Several times, Kunya-Urgench was destroyed and rebuilt. There are numerous archeological and architectural monuments, like Mausoleum of Il-Arslan, Mausoleum of Sultan Tekesh, Minaret of Kutlug Timur, and Mausoleum of Turabek-Khanym presenting considerable scientific and cultural value, on the territory of Kunya-Urgench. Because of it, this city deserves one of the best cities to visit in Turkmenistan. Kunya-Urgench includes in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and decided to in its list of world heritage sites at the 29th session held in Durban, South Africa. 

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4. Turkmenbashi

Formerly known as Krasnovodsk, the port city Turkmenbashi is the only large port in whole Central Asia. This popular city in Turkmenistan provides a link with European countries. It looks in the turquoise-blue waters of the Caspian Sea, surrounded on the east by the crescent of low mountains, in the west. With small communities of Russians, Uzbeks, Azeris, and Armenians, the city’s population is mainly Turkmen. If you are planning to visit this country don’t miss seeing this city

 

5. Balkanabat

Balkanabat is a modern city in Turkmenistan with a population of about 88,000 people. The city is situated at the southern pediment of the Big Balkhan ridge in the west of Turkmenistan. Not far from the city there is an airport and Turkmenbashi port, nearly 13 km to the north-west from the city. Upon the discovery of major oil deposits, Balkanabat was founded in 1933.  The township obtained city status in 1946. It is considered one of the famous cities in Turkmenistan. The city’s name was Nefte-Dag or Nebit-Dag (Oil Mountain),  initially. The city changed its name to Balkanabat in 1999. Being built up and expanded in modern times the city is active, developing into a large industrial center.

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6. Abadan 

Abadan is a small city located near Aşgabat in the Ahal Province of Turkmenistan. It was named Büzmeýin until October 2002 and Founded in 1963.  Turkmenistan’s President Saparmurat Niyazov had changed its name. Bezmein is the traditional Russian name of this city. It is one of the top cities in Turkmenistan. About 50000 people living in Abadan. The people of this city are so friendly. There are many tourist sites available here and the cost of tourism is not so expensive and every travel junky can visit at an affordable price

 

7. Daşoguz

Daşoguz is located in northern Turkmenistan. Having a population of 188,250, on the outskirts of the Khiva Khanate, the ancient city was a resting point for the caravans on the Great Silk Road. After the Khiva Khanate came under Russian control the city was named Tashauz.  It is considered one of the important cities in Turkmenistan. Including a Russian, most of the city’s buildings were built during the Soviet era. Being home to Turkmens, Uzbeks, Tatars, Koreans, Russians, and Kazakhs, Daşoguz is a multi-ethnic city. The city boasts cultural amenities, sports, and educational, as well as industries. The old city of Kunya-Urgench, complete with minarets, madrasas, and mausoleums is located near Daşoguz.

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8. Mary

The city of Mary home of  118,840 people lies in the oasis of the Karakum Desert. The beautiful city in Turkmenistan was called Merv, and it served as a watering-place on the Great Silk Road. From 1884, the modern city began as an administrative center for Russian rule. Under Russian occupation, facilitated by extensive irrigation, the city became a large cotton producer. Natural gas is one of the lucrative resources for the city

 

All of the mentioned top ten cities in Turkmenistan and most visited cities in Turkmenistan are the top places to visit in Turkmenistan which are worth visiting. All of these cities are rich in culture, history and offer a lot to his visitors. I hope the post is beneficial to you kindly read our other blogs also if you want to know more about Turkmenistan.

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