August 23, 2025Turkmenistan
Merv is one of the oldest and most significant cities of Central Asia, located in modern-day Turkmenistan. Its history spans nearly four thousand years. For centuries, Merv was a vital center of the Great Silk Road, where trade and cultural routes of the East and the West converged.
References to Merv appear in ancient Persian sources. At different times, the city served as the capital of the Achaemenids, Parthians, Sasanians, and Seljuks. In the 9th–12th centuries, Merv reached its peak, becoming one of the largest cities in the world. At that time, it earned the honorable title of “the mother of cities of the East.” Magnificent palaces and mosques rose within its walls, bustling workshops and bazaars thrived, and its libraries preserved invaluable treasures of knowledge.
In the 13th century, the city was destroyed by the Mongols, yet its former greatness can still be felt among the ruins. Today, the archaeological site of “Old Merv” is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visitors can see the remains of ancient fortresses, medieval walls and citadels, as well as the famous Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, a remarkable masterpiece of 12th-century Islamic architecture.
A visit to Merv is a journey deep into the millennia. The atmosphere of the ruins transports you into the distant past, allowing you to feel the breath of history and touch the legacy of what was once one of the greatest cultural centers of Asia.
Kopetdag is a mountain range stretching along the southern border of Turkmenistan, between Ashgabat and Iran. These mountains are not only a natural boundary but also play a crucial role in shaping the region’s climate and water resources. The height of Kopetdag reaches approximately 2,940 meters at the peak of Mount Kunya-Uran, offering picturesque views of the plains, valleys, and the city of Ashgabat. Kopetdag is rich in diverse flora and fauna, including species unique to this region. The mountain slopes are covered with forests, shrubs, and steppe vegetation, and numerous springs and streams feed rivers and replenish underground water sources. The mountains are also significant for tourism. Hiking and mountaineering enthusiasts can find a range of routes here, from easy valley walks to challenging climbs up steep slopes. In winter, some areas of Kopetdag receive snow, creating a striking contrast with the hot desert lowlands. Kopetdag also preserves traces of history and culture. Archaeological sites, ancient settlements, and fortresses in the region tell the story of human life here over millennia. Kopetdag is not only a natural wonder but also a place where history, culture, and nature intersect, creating a unique landscape that attracts tourists, researchers, and lovers of active recreation.
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Running along the eastern edge of Turkmenistan is the south-western ridge of the Gissar Range of the Pamir-Alay mountain system, named Kugitang since the dawn of time. Another name, Koytendag, means “impassable mountains”. The western slopes of the Range are truly impassable. They are jagged with numerous gorges reminiscent of canyons with several-hundred-meter-high precipices. The region is one of the richest in Turkmenistan in natural and mineral resources. It boasts large deposits of rock and potassium salt, native sulfur, gypsum, celestine, polymetals, barites, marble onyx, cladding stones, and other building materials. Turkmenistan’s highest peak, Ayrybaba, is in the Koytendag. It is the area of strikingly beautiful natural scenery, especially in the winter, when the summit and access routes are covered in snow, which can be several meters deep in some places. The Zeravshan juniper is the only plant to survive in this snow-clad terrain. Yet, even this mighty and usually tall, branchy tree takes an unusual trailing form, withstanding strong winds. In spring, the flower-strewn area is ablaze with color. In February, bright crocuses bloom in thawed patches almost at the summit. Markhors, argalis, and lynx – animals listed in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan – are found in juniper forests on the mountain slopes. The Koytendag is home to a wealth of wildlife with a total of 1,170 species, of which about 1,000 are plant species. The Koytendag State Nature Reserve helps to protect natural landmarks: the Umbardere Gorge, Kyrkgyz Gorge, Daraydere Canyon, the Unabi tree (jujube) grove, thermal springs near the foothills of Gaynarbaba, the centuries-old plane trees in the village of Koyten, the age-old mulberry tree in the Khojagaravul Gorge, the Karlyuk Karst Caves, and the Dinosaur Plateau.
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Badhyz Nature Reserve (Turkm. Bathyz goraghanasy ) is located in Mary province in southern Turkmenistan. Covering an area of 877 square kilometers, it was established in 1941 to protect the ecosystems of the Badhyz plateau between the Kuschka and Tejen rivers. The reserve is a semi-desert region with hills and plains, distinguished by unique flora and fauna characteristic of this part of Central Asia. The administration of the reserve also manages three sanctuaries: Kyzyljar, Pulihatum, and Chemenabit, all established in 1956. Badhyz Reserve has attracted the attention of scientists since its inception. Botanists, zoologists, and geographers have studied the nature here, while efforts have been made to protect kulan and goitered gazelles. The terrain of the reserve is varied: hills range from 20 to 200 meters in height, gradually rising in the southwest to 800 meters, forming a mountainous landscape. One of the most remarkable areas is the Erolanduz basin, a 20-kilometer-long depression with a saline lake up to 500 meters deep. The edges of the basin are surrounded by black volcanic and rocky outcrops, and traces of ancient plants can be found on andesite-basalt layers. Water resources in Badhyz Reserve are scarce. The main sources of water for animals are the Kuschka and Tejen rivers, the freshwater springs Akarshem and Nerdevanly, and temporary pools. The reserve plays a crucial role in protecting rare species, such as kulan and goitered gazelles, and preserving the unique natural landscapes of southern Turkmenistan.
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