Ashgabat
The statue of Lenin, in a small park off Azadi köçesi, is a charmingly incongruous assembly of a tiny Lenin on an enormous and very Central Asian plinth…
Must-see attractions in Central Asia
Turkmenistan
South of Sultan Kala and Giaur Kala, this is one of three ice houses built during the Timurid era. The giant freezers, made from brick and covered by a…
Ashgabat
This Soviet-era circus building, which resembles a flying saucer, has been 'Turkmenised' with a coating of white marble. It's definitely worth a look if…
Turkmenistan
North of the Shahriyar Ark, outside the city walls, lies the Mosque of Yusuf Hamadani, built around the tomb of a 12th-century dervish. The complex has…
Turkmenistan
The mound of graves called the Kyrk Mollais a sacred place where Konye-Urgench’s inhabitants held their last stand against the Mongols. Here you might see…
Turkmenistan
This landmark church was built to honour St Nicolas in the late 19th century. The church is painted canary yellow and decorated on the interior with a…
Afghanistan
The medieval skyline of Herat is crowned by this mud-walled fortress complete with towering walls and squat turrents. Built for Alexander the Great, it…
Turkmenistan
The Shahriyar Ark (or Citadel of Sultan Kala) is one of the more interesting parts of Merv. Still visible are its walls, a well-preserved koshk (fort)…
Ashgabat
More a statement of foreign-policy leanings than a sign of religious awakening, the Azadi mosque, similar in appearance to the Blue Mosque in İstanbul,…
Afghanistan
The mausoleum of the founder of modern-day Afghanistan, Ahmed Shah Durrani, is at the rear of the Mosque of the Sacred Cloak. The octagonal shaped, richly…
Kazakhstan
This museum, dedicated to the victims of the Polygon, is due to open in 2018, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Semey's founding. It will be…
Ashgabat
Beyond the southern end of Independence Park is the huge, golden domed Palace of Knowledge: three large buildings that include a library, concert hall and…
Ashgabat
Taking a leaf out of Kim Jong-il’s book, the Turkmenbashi Museum houses all the gifts and awards presented to former President Niyazov by various people…
Monument to the Independence of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat
This is a popular spot for wedding groups to take photographs with a golden statue of Turkmenbashi. Nearby is a trippy giant copy of Niyazov's once…
Former Archive of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat
Across the road from the Statue of Lenin this austere concrete building was once the Archive of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan.
Kabul
Kabul’s main stadium hosts football matches most Friday afternoons. In the winter months and at Nauroz there are occasional buzkashi matches.
Turkmenistan
This 7th century fortress is the pair of nearby Great Kyz Kala. You can clamber into and explore its interior.
Turkmenistan
Located inside the Shahriyar Ark is this well-preserved koshk (fort) with corrugated walls.
Ashgabat
The angular, futuristic Iranian mosque, illuminated with green neon, is on Görogly köçesi on the western outskirts of the city.
Ashgabat
The modern mosque of Khezrety Omar, off Atamurat Niyazov köçesi, is worth visiting for its wonderfully garish painted ceilings.
Turkmenistan
The Margush Archaeological Museum houses a tiny collection of artefacts and old photos, as well as a diorama of the Merv complex.
Turkmenistan
You can get your fill of local colour as well as your shopping done at the enormous Zelyony Bazaar.
Turkmenistan
For some local colour, head to this excellent bazaar, where you can buy pretty much anything.
Turkmenistan
To one side of the mosque is the Matkerim-Ishan Mausoleum, which is also early 20th century.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenabat's busy 'green market', good for people-watching, souvenirs or snacks.
Turkmenistan
Statue of Saparmurat Niyazov, the leader of Turkmenistan from 1956-2006.
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