Understand
[edit]Balkanabat may serve as a stopover on the trip from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi and as starting point for excursions to Dehistan and the Yangykala Canyon.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The city has an airport, but no scheduled flights are made.
By train
[edit]Turkmenistan Railways operate two trains per day from Turkmenbashi and two trains from Ashgabat. The railway station is 1 km west of the central Niyaziv Square.
- 1 Balkanabat railway station (Balkanabat Demirýol Meňzili).
By bus
[edit]The trip from Ashgabat takes about 6 hours. Marshrutkas and shared taxis cost US$2-3, taxis approx. US$15. They arrive in front of the train station.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]- Regional History Museum, Gurgteli Annayew köcesi, ☏ +993 222 49126. US$1.25.
- Russian Orthodox Church.
- Gozli Ata (135 km north of Balkanabat). Mausoleum of a highly respected Sufi teacher, today a very popular place of pilgrimage
- Yangykala Canyon. One of the most spectacular natural attractions in Central Asia, 165 km north of Balkhanabat, 160 km east of Turkmenbashi
- Dekhistan. In medieval times rivalling Merv and Konye Urgench. Today only ruins of two minarets and of the oldest mosque in the country remain. Expect to pay US$50 for the round trip per taxi including waiting time
- Tarshavat (38 km from Balkanabat). The picturesque ruins of the Tarshavat caravanserai stand on one of the ancient caravan routes on the Silk Road. The caravanserai is a rectangular building with a stone wall and ruins of residential buildings inside.
- Shir Kabir Mausoleum (6 km from Dekhistan). Dating from the 9th and 10th century, Shir Kabir is one of the oldest surviving mosques on the territory of Turkmenistan. It has a unique mikhrab consisting of three niches one inside the other.
Do
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Buy
[edit]- Balkanabat Carpet Factory, Azady köcesi. M-F 09:00-18:00.
Eat
[edit]- Kafe Ruslan, Kvartal 201 (west of the city center), ☏ +993 222 40740.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Hotel Nebitchi, Kvartal 198, ☏ +993 222 45335. 5-star hotel, all rooms with satellite TV, excellent restaurants. double US$100.
- Hotel Balkan, Kvartal 225, ☏ +993 222 43293. US$30 to 60.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]By train
[edit]Turkmenistan Railways operate two trains per day to Turkmenbashi and two trains to Ashgabat. The railway station is 1 km west of the central Niyaziv Square.
By bus
[edit]The trip to Ashgabat takes about 6 hours. Marshrutkas and shared taxis cost US$2-3, taxis approx. US-$15. They leave in front of the train station.