PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST
          Historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan are integral part of world civilizations. Such historical-cultural monuments as ancient Merv, Koneurgench and Nisa are included to the List of world natural and cultural heritage of UNESCO.

         Great importance is attached to work on preserving and reconstructing historical and cultural national heritage. Recently mausoleum of Abul Phazl in Sarahs, Talhatan-baba`s mosque in Ioltan etrap, minarets of Dakhistan, mausoleum of Alamberdar in Atamurat etrap and others have been saved from destruction and were restored. Territories of most famous settlements were announced historical and cultural reservations. These are:

        Nisa is an ancient town located at the foothills of Kopetdag (Akhal velayat). It is one of the first capitals of Parthian empire (III B.C. – III A.D.), which is in the rank of largest state formations of antique world. In Nisa, there were palace and temple structures; there were a treasury, huge wine storage and warehouse with enormous stocks. Fortified walls had 8-9 meters of thickness in their foundations and were strengthened with 43 rectangular towers;

          Ancient Merv (Maty velayat) is one of the most ancient towns of Central Asia. It is situated near Bairamail town and is a part of Margiana, one of the most ancient civilizations. If earlier were known four most ancient centers of civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China), now Margiana is recognized to be the fifth centre. It is one of the largest archeological places in Central Asia; there is a number of settlements (Erk-Kala, Gyaur-Kala, Sultan-Kala, Abdullah-Kala and Bairamail-Kala) by which it is easily read historical topography of this legendary town from antique times up to late Middle Ages. Among architectural monuments one can mark the Big and Small Kyz-Kala, mausoleum of Muhammed ibn Zeid and Ashabs, mosque of Khodja-Yusup Hamadani and glanderous burial vault of Sultan Sanjar, which is unanimously considered by explorers to be the masterpiece of the Middle Ages architecture of the East. In Merv at different periods of time lived and worked Al Khorezmi, Omar Khayam, al-Mervezi, as-Samani, Enveri and other great thinkers of the Middle Ages. It is established by archeological explorations that Merv emerged in VII B.C. at the place of Erk-Kala;

         Koneurgench (Dashoguz velayat) is an ancient capital of Northern Khorezm in the past, which was founded in the I A.D. in the middle of the VII century it came under the power of Arabs and in 995 it was renamed into Gurgandge and became the residence of Khorezmshanks. It was a cultural and trading center of the Middle Ages. Its pride was great Encyclopaedist Abu Reikhan al-Biruni (973-1050) and genius naturalist, doctor and philosopher Abu Ali ibn Sina known in the west as Avisenna (980-1037). The town during years of its existence underwent destructions more than once – 1221 by Tartar-Mongolian horde with Chingiz Khan at the head and in 1338 by the troop of Tamerlan. That`s why many monuments of Koneurgench are damaged, but remained monuments cause admiration, such as mausoleum of Tyurabek-Khanum (XIV), Sultan Tekesh (XII), II-Arslan (XII), Kutluk Timur`s minaret (XI-XIV) and many others. Now Keneurgench is not only a complex of historical monuments attracting tourists from the whole world by its magnificence visiting card of which is one of the highest constructions of the world ancient minaret (XI) of 60 meters high; it is also a sacred place for Muslims. Nation`s memory of outstanding persons of Koneurgench is vividly reflected in unrepeatable burial vaults erected in this sacred town in different epochs by their architectural image and artistic value. One of such places is sacred complex of Nejmeddin Kubra, which is called “Uch yuz altmysh” and is the centre of mass pilgrimage of Muslims from the whole world.

          Atamurat town (former Kerki), whose ancient name is Zemm. It was situated at the banks of the Amu Darya river (Lebap velayat). The earliest mentioning of Zemm refers to beginning of the VII century. Ruins of two archeological monuments are left in the town, one of them is “Bekov fortress”, which till 1917 was the residence of Kerki beck and another one is “Russian fortress”, which existed during kushano-sasanid period. At the end of the XX century a treasure of gold and silver coins of sasanid tsar Varakhran the fifth was found (420-438). One sightseeing of ancient Zemm is mausoleum of Astana-baba (unique complex construction, which underwent reconstructions more than once and accessory buildings during several centuries); another one is Alamberdar (the largest from remained building of Northern Khorasan).

          Ancient Dehistan (Balkan velayat) came into existence admittedly in the III millennium B.C. The largest monument of the Middle Age – Dehistan is Misrian settlement, which endured prosperity in the period of Khorezmshaks ruling. Its beautification speaks about high level of town culture development; traces of compact structures with system of water supply and sewerage, bathhouses, paving and etc. were found.

          Old Sarahs (Akhal velayat) is an ancient town in the upper reaches of the Tejen river. Settlement of Sarahs oasis began in the epoch of eneolit (IV millennium B.C.) During its existence Sarahs underwent periods of flourishment and decline. It always was one of the most significant and key towns of the region in the whole sequences of changing each other state reforming (Akhemenide empire, Greek-baktri kingdom, Parthian empire, Sasanid empire, state of tahirids, empires of Gaznevids and Seljuks) etc. The main thing, which made Sarahs famous was unique for the whole Middle East architectural school of XI-XII centuries. Masters from Sarahs were so widely famous that they were invited to construct unique structures to many towns of Iran and Central Asia;

          Abiverd (Akhal velayat) is a middle age settlement in the West of Kaka that was one of the most important towns of the Northern Khorasan. Written sources of times of Arab conquest (V-VII) mention about its existence. In district of Abiverd there were numbers of settlements, villages and towns. Middle age Abiverd was covered by cultural layer of late period (XV-XVIII), here one can see ceramic things of IX-XII centuries, coins of local dressing of later periods;

         Shehr-Islam (Akhal velayat) is one of the largest handicraft centers of the Northern Khorasan of the Middle Ages (XI-XII). On the palace of the settlement first there was small fortress protecting agricultural oasis from attacks of nomads. Favourable geographic position on caravan way connecting Khorasan with Khorezm and other far countries caused rapid growth of population. Judging from archeological data, people of Shehr-Islam achieved great successs in town building. There were many monumental constructions, which were decorated by ornamental bricks and carving. Besides, covered brick water pipeline was discovered there; it was unique hydrotechnical construction of the time with the length of 20 km with the help of which ancient town was supplied with water.

          Geokdepe fortress (Akhal velayat) was defensive construction of Akhal tekes. It was erected from 45 km to the North-West of Ashgabat in 1879 just before the attacks of Russian army (1879-1881), Its walls are earth embankment enclosed by a ditch and covered by a layer of clay. Their height was 4 m, thickness at foundation was 10 m and on the top it was 5 m. The whole perimeter was 4,4 km . The territory of the fortress of 40 hectares was plane, only in the North-West corner there was old hill and southward there was enclosed yard and wells. During sieges of the fortress half of all inhabitants of an oasis gathered in it (about 45 thousand people).

          The territory of Turkmenistan nowadays, too causes particular interest of many archeologists, historians, because it keeps many unresolved mysteries. More than one decade will be needed for investigating numerous monuments of culture and history of Turkmen land.

Avaza National Tourism Zone

          The Caspian Sea coastal area - this present site of the Turk¬men nature was created for developing a tourism industry. A formation of Avaza tourism area shall play a predominant role to fully apply potential of the Caspian Turkmen coastal area. It is considered to be one of the brightest and innovative national projects being implemented under the initiative of the Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. A resolution to set up a Committee on the Avaza Tourism Area, which was adopted in October 2008, is a significant stage implementing the immense project.  
                                            
          Transmission to a free economy preconditions enhancing the level of country’s integration into the world economic complex. And this, in particular, considers scaled technological and structural reconstruction which in turn requires inflow of foreign investments. One of the perspective and effective ways of achieving this is connected with the use of possibilities like economic area where all conditions for the investors who are provided with series of significant advantages and preferences. In particular, the Avaza National Tourism Area is a simplified visa system for tourists and accelerated issuance of visas to foreign specialists and workers, worthy tax remissions, free-of-charge certification services and auction fees, and many others. All this is envisaged by the Resolution Turkmenistan President decree to set up a tourism area, which was signed during the first presentation thereof in July 2007, and other significant documents.

          Creation of a tourist zone has become a serious step in the development of tourist-recreation of seaside region of Turkme¬nistan. potential of To make resort popular, a lot is to be done: to construct hotels with high service and comfort level, up-to-date life support systems, roads and airports. Wide regions being attractive for tourism business should look and to start life afresh in accordance with European standards. Avaza is considered to be an immense project on creation of a resort city with all amenities and transport communications required, both passenger and loading ones. Even the same North-South international railway corridor, Turkmenbashy-Farab autoban or reconstruction of the sea port in Turkmenbashy, besides all other requirements, are to secure supplying lots of cargoes to construct a resort at the coastal area in a more simple and efficient way. A new international airport would turn into air gates of the tourism zone.

          A tourism zone is first of all appropriate from the economic viewpoint. It is called to bring worthy revenues, to become one of the national economic bases and to give a powerful impulse to the region and country development. Accordingly new economic approaches are required. The world practice demonstrates that any world resort is constructed, firstly, at expense of grants of the world tourism business: companies make great contributions thereto and apply their long-term experience to attract tourists, and they succeeded therein. The state plays a regulating function and creates conditions to develop business. Various presentations of the tourism area, being attended by the President of Turkme¬nistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, advertising campaign held in leading foreign mass media, any location of the tourism area symbols at vehicles of one of the European rally teams, etc.

          A required legislative base has been formed within the shortest period of time, the game rules have been identified for the members of the economic zone. Advantageous conditions have immediately been responded by foreign companies, lots of which have already implemented investment projects at the coastal area. Meanwhile, the investors are to fulfill one very important requirement: any implementation of grand projects would in no case be harmful to a coastal unique nature.

          The world practice witnesses that economic development in similar economic areas, as a rule, is accompanied with a big growth of population revenues and positive amendments in the social sphere. Thousands of new working places would be created, both at the tourism area and in adjacent branches as well. Undoubtedly, it would make influence on the quality of population life in the most positive way.

          In June 2009 the first white-marbled sanatoriums of Avaza tourist area have been put into commissioning solemnly. Fa¬shionable hotels which construction is keep going on will be at people’s disposal in the nearest future. It has also been decided to allot certain areas to series of investors. The tourism zone lives, the tourism zone is getting developed! Today its outlook goes on being transformed rapidly. The net of road, streets of future resort centre is being set up, a construction of the unique man-made river is at its height, power stations, desalter, treatment structures and utility networks are under construction. At the same time, according to the Resolution of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the borders of tourist zone have been enlarged recently and suggestions of construction of its second and third stages are being prepared. Large-scale reforms being initiated by the country leader, gave a powerful impulse to develop the economy of the given region.

         Favorable conditions have been established for the investors and tourism business with the development of the National tourism zone ”Avaza”.

          They include a wide range of prerequisites:
• permission of unused profits to transfer overseas remittance gained as a result of rendering services for Turkmenistan residents
• conversion of national currency into freely convertible currency
• simplification in obtaining entry visas and permissions to foreign specialists and workers whoa arrive in national tourism area
• simplification of obtaining entry visas for tourists who have tourist vouchers
• state registration of juridical persons and investment projects on the territory of tourist area, certification and closure of deals at commodity and stock exchange without levy of registration and exchange tax collections and without payment for certification
• free provision of land form rent
• during the first 15 years of construction value added tax, income tax and property tax will exempted.

         At present time the area ”Avaza” has been determined as 1700 hectares. The list and size of 90 plots of land of first-priority category of the resort development has been approved. The building of hydro-power station with 254,2 megawatt capacity is planned on the territory of the National tourism area “Avaza” in 2008. International experience of tourist areas proves the fact of rapid development of not only tourism, but also of other accompanying fields and business activity in the economy of the state. Mollakara resort, which is situated in some hours of driving from “Avaza” offers mud treatment from a salty lake and other kinds of water treatment for people with vertebral pathology. After the reconstruction within the National Tourism Area of “Avaza” project realization of this unique resort will be a kind of addition to the area. In the nearest future the level of amenity of well-known sanatoria in Archman (gastro-intestinal diseases treatment) and Bairamali (heavy complex kidney diseases, heart diseases and nervous system diseases treatment) will increase after reconstruction.
   
QUICK CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRAVEL PLANS

Representative offices of Turkmenistan airlines
Abu Dhabi– SHEIKH ZAYED St. “Theblan
Rashid Al Muhairu” – 2nd floor, flat # 202,
P.O. Box: 46350 Abu Dhabi
tel.: (+44208) 5772211, 5779889
fax: (+44208) 5779900

HOTELS OF TURKMENISTAN

President Hotel (5*)
High class hotel for 150 places in the southern part of the capital at picturesque foothills of Kopetdag.
Address: Ashgabat, Archabil avenue, 54
tel.: (+99 312) 40 00 00
fax: (+99 312) 40 00 41, 40 02 22
e-mail: presidenthotel@online.tm

“Nisa Hotel” (5*)
Modern hotel for 134 places in the centre of the liveliest street of the capital
Address: Ashgabat, 1995 St, 70
tel.: (+99 312) 22 10 25
fax: (+99 312) 22 10 23
e-mail: ahal@online.tm

“Grand Turkmen” Hotel (5*)
Five-star hotel for 190 places in a quiet green part of the city
Address: Ashgabat, Gyorgoly St, 50
tel.: (+99 312) 51 05 55
fax: (+99 312) 51 12 51
e-mail: grandhtl@online.tm

“Ak altyn” Hotel (4*)
Comfortable hotel for 109 places
Address: Ashgabat, Magtymguly ave, 141\1
tel.: (+99 312) 36 37 00
fax: (+99 312) 36 34 94
e-mail: akaltyn@online.tm

“Serdar” Hotel (5*)
High class hotel on the Caspain shore
Address: Turkmenbashi, Avaza
tel: (+99 3243) 2 15 90
fax: (+99 3243) 2 15 93

“Gara Altyn” Hotel (3*)
Hotel at the outskirts of the capital
Address: Ashgabat, Archabil ave
tel.: (+99 312) 48 93 23
fax: (+99 312) 48 96 23

“Turkmenbashi” Hotel (5*)
Hotel with the view to the Caspian Sea
Address: Turkmenbashi
tel: (+99 3243) 2 13 08
fax: (+99 3243) 2 17 17

“Nebitchi” Hotel
Modern hotel in the outskirts of town
tel: (+99 312) 48 93 62
fax: (+99 3243) 48 93 12

“Uzboy” Hotel (2*)
Hotel a the famous market of Dashoguz
Address: Dashoguz, Turkmenbashi ave, 19\1
tel: (+99 3322) 2 60 16
fax: (+99 3243) 2 60 13

“Margush” Hotel (3*)
Hotel in the centre of Mary
Address: Mary Goushut-Khan St, 20
tel.: (+99 3522) 6 03 87
fax: (+99 3243) 6 03 86

“Turkmenabat” Hotel (2*)
Hotel in the centre of Turkmenabat
Address: Turkmanabat, Magtymguly St, 49
tel: (+99 3422) 6 02 26