Tours in Turkmenbashi from a direct tour operator. Turkmenbashi: A city falling into disrepair (photo) The population of Turkmenbashi
Located on the picturesque coast of the Caspian Sea. Until recently, it was called Krasnovodsk, and in 1993 it was renamed in honor of the first president of the state, Turkmenbashi Saparmurat Niyazov.
The population of the city consists mainly of Turkmens (almost 90%), Russians (about 6%), as well as Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Uzbeks and Turks. The official language is Turkmen. Almost all residents of the city profess Islam, a separate category of the population belongs to the Christian church.
The basis of the economy of Turkmenbashi is the oil refining industry. On the territory of the city there is a whole complex of enterprises engaged in the processing of oil and its associated natural resources. Also here is the largest shipyard in Central Asia. It should be noted that the port of Turkmenbashi is connected by ferry to the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.
The famous Avaza resort area is located within the city, which includes a huge number of hotels and inns, entertainment centers, gaming clubs and other establishments. This place is ideal for youth recreation, family vacation with children who will definitely enjoy splashing in the amazingly beautiful and warm Caspian Sea.
Climate and weather
The climate of Turkmenbashi is considered subtropical desert. Practically all year round the weather here is incredibly hot and very dry. The amount of precipitation does not exceed 125 millimeters per year. Usually they fall at the end of autumn - the beginning of winter. The average daily air temperature at this time is about +5 °C. In summer, the weather is surprisingly hot. During the day the air warms up to +35°C, and at night the thermometer drops to +18°C. In summer, the amount of precipitation is minimal.
The best time to travel to amazing Turkmenbashi is from late spring to early autumn.
Nature
Beautiful Turkmenbashi differs from other cities of Turkmenistan with its amazing magnificent nature. Main Feature The natural scenery of the city is the Caspian Sea - the largest salt sea on earth, which has no connection with the oceans. On the picturesque shores In the Caspian Sea, you can meet graceful flamingos, amazing pelicans, and a lazy Caspian seal. But the main wealth of this sea, of course, is the sturgeon, the population of which is called upon to be preserved by the environmental service of Turkmenistan.
From the east, Turkmenbashi is surrounded by low mountains; in the west, its shores are washed by the blue waters of the Caspian Sea. By the way, beautiful sandy beaches Turkmenbashi are considered the best in the entire sea. No wonder there are many resorts and sanatoriums on its coast near the city.
sights
The main attraction of Turkmenbashi is the Caspian Sea, which strikes the imagination with its beauty and diverse underwater world. To admire the picturesque beauty of this reservoir, the city comes a large number of foreign tourists. Not far from Turkmenbashi, a completely unique resort area has been created with numerous hotels, "floating" restaurants, bars, entertainment centers, clubs, etc.
There are few ancient sights in the city itself, but the surroundings of Turkmenbashi amaze with their historical and cultural values. One of the important centers of the world women's pilgrimage is white mosque Parau-Bibi, which was built on one of the rocks of the majestic Kopetdag and today is considered the patroness of pregnant women and children. Every year, hundreds of thousands of girls come here, praying for a long-awaited pregnancy.
Most tourists prefer to visit the famous Mausoleum of Shir-Kabir, the date of construction of which refers to the X century. In addition, on the territory of the ancient burial site of Mashad there is Shir-Kabir Mosque, which is considered the oldest surviving mosque in all of Turkmenistan. The walls of this amazing building from its base to the very dome are decorated with carved ganch with patterns and inscriptions painted in red, blue and pistachio colors. Some pilgrims who come here claim that this sacred place is the second most important (after Mecca) of those that were blessed by Allah.
The most visited attraction near Turkmenbashi is the amazing Dehistan- This is a plain that has preserved traces of the life of people who came to this territory as early as the third millennium BC. the largest historical monument Dehistan is considered the ancient settlement of Misrian. Unfortunately, not a single building and structure of that era has survived to this day, and tourists who come here today can only observe the ruins of this settlement.
But on the territory of Dehistan you can visit two relatively well-preserved minarets, the height of which reaches 20 meters.
In Turkmenbashi itself, many foreigners strive to visit Museum of 26 Baku Commissars, telling about the amazing fate of each of the executed commissars.
Nutrition
The cuisine of Turkmenbashi is somewhat different from gastronomy in other parts of the country. The main dish of the menu of any restaurant in the city is fish. Usually, sturgeon species of fish are used to treat tourists. The most popular dish in the catering establishments of Turkmenbashi is " Kavurdaka"- these are pieces of fish fried in sesame oil. In addition, many foreigners prefer to order the famous dried fish and amazing fish kebab. Interestingly, this type of barbecue is prepared in the same way as meat. Pieces of fish alternately with onions are strung on a skewer, after which they are fried over an open fire. In many restaurants, you can even watch the process of preparing this delicious dish. It should be noted that in Turkmenbashi, as well as throughout Turkmenistan, fish dishes are served with a unique sweet and sour sauce.
The main dish of every Turkmenbashi restaurant is, of course, the famous Turkmen pilaf. No feast is complete without this wonderful treat. In addition, dozens of meat dishes are included in the menu of the city's restaurants. Usually lamb, chicken and beef are cooked here. The main dishes are Govurma», « Gara chorba" and " Kakmach».
As for drinks, it is worth trying the famous Turkmen “ Airan».
Hospitable Turkmenbashi invites its visitors to have a great time in restaurants located above the waters of the Caspian Sea. The unique atmosphere reigning in these establishments plunges tourists into the amazing world of Turkmen cuisine. It should be noted that most of the cafes and restaurants of Turkmenbashi offer their customers not only national cuisine, but also dishes from other countries of the world.
Food prices in Turkmenbashi are kept at the same level as in the whole country. So, dinner in a middle-class restaurant here will cost about $7 per person. And in amazing restaurants "above the water" for a two-course meal, you will have to pay a slightly larger amount - about $ 10-12 per person.
Residence
The beautiful city of Turkmenbashi has always welcomed its guests. On its territory there are many hotels of various classes. In the resort area "Avaza" you can find hotels, the level of comfort in which corresponds to four and five stars.
The most popular hotel among foreigners is "Turkmenbashi". This hotel was the first on the entire Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea to receive the status of five stars. All hotel rooms are equipped with modern comfortable furniture, as well as all necessary technical equipment, such as air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators and telephones with international calls.
In addition, all guests can additionally use the services of restaurants, fitness clubs, gyms, saunas, swimming pools, tennis courts, parking, entertainment center and other facilities located on site. The cost of living in the hotel "Turkmenbashi" depends on the type of room and its configuration. average price accommodation is about 150-200$ per night.
On the territory of the city you can find a large number of small, but very comfortable hotels. Accommodation in such establishments will cost much less than in large hotels. For one night you can pay no more than $ 70.
Entertainment and recreation
The main attractions of the city of Turkmenbashi are concentrated in the Avaza resort area. This is a stunning natural area, where there are institutions of sanatorium treatment, as well as numerous hotels and hotels that meet all international standards. In addition, there are entertainment centers, restaurants, clubs, discos, gaming establishments. Every tourist will find something to their liking in Avaza. In the future it is planned to build ski slopes and a huge water park. Already today, many call "Avaza" a national tourist zone. Fishing, rowing and yachting are especially popular here.
In addition, fascinating excursions to the sights of the city and its environs are held in Turkmenbashi for travelers. The most visited places are Dehistan, the Parau-Bibi mosque and the Khazar reserve.
Purchases
In Turkmenbashi, there are a huge number of souvenir shops and shops that sell various commemorative goods. The most popular purchases among foreign tourists are items of national costume, silk and wool products, skullcaps, telpaks, jewelry, and various figurines. As a rule, most travelers prefer to purchase statues of horses - a symbol of the state. And, of course, few foreigners returned home without a magnificent Turkmen carpet. There are a large number of shops specializing in the sale of carpets in Turkmenbashi. It is worth noting that it is best to purchase such an expensive product (at least $ 300) exclusively in state-owned stores, since only there sellers can issue you a special certificate confirming the fact of purchase. In addition, the cost of the carpet already includes tax, which is obligatory to be paid when exporting the carpet abroad.
Carpets and felt mats can also be purchased at local city markets. True, their quality will be somewhat lower than in state outlets.
All payments for purchases are made only in the national currency - manat.
Transport
Turkmenbashi is a major transport hub. There is a railway with a high freight and passenger turnover. Turkmenbashi is the largest port of Turkmenistan, and an airport is located near the city.
Air flights are carried out by the state air carrier "Turkmenistan Airlines". By air, Turkmenbashi is connected with Ashgabat, Turkmenabad and Dashoguz. Basically, air travel within the country is used by foreign tourists who travel around railway on trains it seems not comfortable enough. Price for domestic flights low - only 7-10 $.
The railway is the main transport linking Turkmenbashi with other major cities states. It transports several hundred thousand cargoes brought to the port every day. Passenger trains run in the direction of Ashgabat, Dashoguz, Turkmenabad, Mary. The ticket price is about $ 2.5 in a reserved seat car and a little over $ 4 for a ride in a comfortable SV.
As a major seaport, Turkmenbashi is connected by ferry to major ports other countries, in particular with Baku in Azerbaijan and Astrakhan in Russia. Interestingly, the crossing is a railway. Each of the operating ferries takes on board up to 28 railway cars and about 200 passengers. The price of such a crossing ranges from $20 to $40. Also between the ports of Baku, Astrakhan and Turkmenbashi there is an excellent freight traffic.
Public transport of the city is represented by buses and taxis. At the same time, most foreigners prefer the services of the last cab drivers. Ticket price for travel to public transport Turkmenbashi is about $0.1-0.15. For a taxi ride, you will have to pay a little more - about $ 1.
Connection
In Turkmenbashi, telephone communication is somewhat less developed than in the capital of the state. Although there are street telephones here, they are only suitable for urban communications. In addition, the quality of communication from these machines leaves much to be desired. For an international call, you can use the telephones installed in hotels, as well as in any post office. The cost of a call abroad is approximately $1.
Mobile communication in Turkmenbashi has received more development than stationary. The cellular network is provided by two operators: TM CELL and MTS-Turkmenistan. By the way, these companies perfectly support the roaming of all major world mobile operators, including Russian ones. When traveling around Turkmenbashi, you can buy a SIM card from any local operator and talk to your family for $0.25 per minute.
Internet connection in the city is excellent. There are cozy Internet cafes on the central streets of Turkmenbashi, as well as in large hotels. Interestingly, in addition to these places, various large establishments and the airport also provide access to the Network. It is worth noting that the cost of one hour of work on the Internet will cost you only $ 2.
Safety
Turkmenbashi enjoys a reputation as a relatively calm and safe city. True, the status of a major transport center with a huge passenger flow makes it attractive to pickpockets and scammers. It should be noted that more serious offenses against foreign citizens were not recorded. Remember that when you are in crowded places, you need to be extremely attentive to your things, wallets. It is best to leave valuables at the hotel.
However, in terms of sanitation, everything is not so good: as in any Asian city, in Turkmenbashi there is a risk of contracting such serious diseases as dysentery, malaria, hepatitis, and typhoid. Before coming here, you must make all the required vaccinations.
In addition, the local tap water is completely unsuitable for drinking. To begin with, it is recommended to boil it and only after that drink or brush your teeth. When buying food in local stores or bazaars, you should wash them thoroughly afterwards. Especially fruits and vegetables. And foods such as meat or fish must be cooked before being eaten.
Business climate
The seaside city of Turkmenbashi is attractive to investors primarily for its oil business - the city is home to a whole complex of oil refineries. The authorities of the city and the country have adopted a number of laws regulating relations between foreign investors and state-owned enterprises. It should be noted that under these laws, joint ventures receive a number of additional benefits for taxation and product certification.
Besides, in Lately there has been an increase in tourists' interest in Turkmenbashi, especially after the opening resort area Avaza. The majority of foreign investments are invested in the tourism business. Opening large hotels and entertainment venues is a very fast payback business.
The property
Real estate in Turkmenbashi has received a very high rating from experts from all over the world. It is worth noting that the increased interest from investors is due to the policy pursued in the real estate market (there are no restrictions on the sale of housing for foreign citizens), as well as the implementation of many measures to attract tourists to the city and its environs. In particular, the creation of the Avaza resort and recreational zone has been of great importance in the development of the Turkmenbashi real estate market.
The cost per square meter in Turkmenbashi is slightly lower than in the capital of the state, and in comparison with other cities of the country, it slightly exceeds the average. To buy a small apartment in a residential area of Turkmenbashi, you need to prepare an amount of $25,000-30,000. Most businessmen who buy real estate for the subsequent organization of a hotel or hostel prefer country cottages. The cost of real estate of this kind is much higher than a simple apartment. The price of a medium-sized house, together with the cost of the land, is about $45,000. It is noted that the suburban housing market today is experiencing certain difficulties associated with fluctuations in land prices.
Beautiful Turkmenbashi enchants tourists with its cordiality and hospitality. For unforgettable and safe rest in that magnificent city several important rules must be observed.
All tourists coming to Turkmenbashi are required to stay only in the hotel that was indicated in the invitation travel company and was the basis for issuing an entry visa. Travel of foreign tourists in some areas, mainly in protected areas only possible if accompanied by a representative travel company. It is worth noting that video and photography also requires special permission from local authorities or the public.
Staying in Turkmenbashi is possible only after appropriate preventive vaccinations - against typhus, malaria, dysentery and hepatitis. By the way, during the hot season in the city, the problem with the prevention of dysentery is especially acute.
The hot weather of Turkmenbashi is unusual for many tourists, therefore, in order to avoid trouble, it is advisable to always have sunscreen cosmetics, hats and repellents with you, which will protect you from annoying insects.
When buying souvenirs, remember that not all goods are allowed to be exported abroad. It is strictly forbidden to export any kind of fish and black caviar. In addition, when buying carpet products, you must provide the customs authorities with a special certificate confirming the purchase of the goods, the payment of the relevant tax, and the age of the carpet. For export abroad, products are allowed, the age of which does not exceed 50 years.
Today I want to tell you about the city of Turkmenbashi, named after the past great leader and father of all Turkmen Turkmenbashi. It's funny that almost all Russian-speaking Turkmens continue to call it Krasnovodsk in the old fashioned way. The new name does not take root well. By the way, this is a ubiquitous phenomenon in Turkmenistan. Despite the fact that in Turkmenistan all the main streets and cities were renamed long ago, the locals are reluctant to use the new names. Until now, Lenin Street has been used instead of Turkmenbashi or Moskovskaya instead ... But what difference does it make, as it is called now, the three Turkmens I interviewed could not remember the new name.
But back to Turkmenbashi. The city is young. It was founded in 1869 by the Russian military. In the 20th century, Krasnovodsk turned into a transport, trade and oil refining center of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenbashi is interesting in that it is not at all touristy, which means you can see how ordinary people live. This will be especially useful for all those who drool pink over the polished scenery of Ashgabat. See how people live.
For at least the last five years, Turkmenbashi has been on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. The fact is that a tourist zone called Avaza is being actively rebuilt next to it. It attracted the attention of city and state authorities and left Turkmenbashi with little to no water or electricity.
Oppositional Turkmen media say that the residents of Turkmenbashi experience shortages every day drinking water. The communal system has not seen repairs for many years, the sewerage and water pipes are in a terrible state. There is no water for weeks, last summer it was turned on for 3-4 hours in the evenings, and even then not every day. A characteristic sign of the city is water tanks in all yards.
People no longer know where to complain, they call and write to Ashgabat, but the authorities say there is nothing they can do. One local resident told reporters that she sends bags of dirty laundry to relatives in the capital because she has nowhere to wash them.
The locals confirmed to me that everything is really very bad with water, but even worse with electricity and roads. There is nothing.
The airport was built brand new, but it is focused on tourists who come to Avaza. The airport is even called international, although there are no international flights from it. At the exit, a crowd of Turkmen offers the services of taxi drivers. 
01. The city itself is small, spread out on the coastal hills. 
02. Like the whole of Turkmenistan, it is divided into two parts. The first is the front door. This is what potential tourists can see. Perfect roads, perfect cleanliness. City-fairy tale, city-dream. The second part is real: dirty, ruined and impoverished. 
03. One of the few historical buildings that have survived to this day - the station. 
04. The station was restored, for some reason ugly plastic windows were inserted. 
05. Soviet monuments were also left, but with a reservation. First, they were all repainted in gold. Secondly, on many monuments, the heads of Slavic appearance were replaced with heads of Turkmen appearance (if I may say so). 
06. Monument to the fisherman. People call it a monument to a poacher. 
07. Soviet buildings have been preserved on the central street. 
08. The Turkmen window dressing is clearly visible in the photo. Here only the main facade is painted, only what guests passing by can see. 
09. On the other hand, it doesn't matter what. 
10. Gate 
11. The old Soviet hotel has survived to this day without changes. 
12. Real streets look like this. 
13. And so. The woman has obtained water and is carrying it into the house. This is the center of the city, there has been no water for three days. 
14. Main street: perfectly smooth asphalt, clean houses, lanterns. On the left are two janitors. Women, if they find a cigarette butt or a piece of paper, will rush to the garbage, like a hungry student to a pack of Doshirak. 
15. The facade of the house, which faces the main street, with new tinted windows so that no apartments can be seen through them. “Can you insert transparent windows?” I asked a local. “If your windows overlook the main street, you can’t, only blue ones ...” - sadly answered local. “It would be better if they put pink ones, it would be more fun!” his companion joked. The couple laughed. Pay attention to the water tanks to the left of the house. 
16. On the other hand, the house looks like this. This is real Turkmenistan, which no one will show you. Again, look at the giant water tanks in the background. Please note that there is no asphalt either. 
17. Behind the scenery - life! Without water, electricity and roads. During those hours when water begins to flow through the pipes in Turkmenbashi, the inhabitants of the city stop everything and run to store it. Tap water usually flows dirty, but no one cares, because there is no other. Basins, pots, bathtubs and, of course, special tanks are used. From these tanks, people are laying improvised water pipes so that the water supply goes directly to the apartments. 
18.
19. Everyone has plates. 
20. The first floors take over courtyards. 
21.
22.
23.
24. Again water tanks, of which the water supply goes to the apartments. 
Without it, you cannot survive here. 
25. Instead of fixing the plumbing, the authorities build palaces and golden statues of the leaders. So that dear readers can drool about how well the Turkmens are doing. Why water, why electricity in houses, better palace let's go crazy! 
26. And this is what the school looks like on the main road. 
27. And this is an exemplary kindergarten. I did not see children there, although it was a weekday. It is always shown to tourists as a symbol of successful and prosperous Turkmenistan. 
28. And this is the Turkmenbashi hotel. Yes, it was about him that the joke was "Come to Turkmenbashi (city) to Turkmenbashi (month) along Turkmenbashi (street) to Turkmenbashi (hotel)". And all this through the airport of Turkmenbashi. 
29. Beauty! Attention to banners. 
30. Banners along the road cover unsightly buildings. 
31. Real Krasnovodsk. 
32. Wedding car decoration 
33. Beautiful 
34.
35. Shawarma is called kebab here ( 
36. They sell fish right on the sidewalk. 
37. Women wear national dresses. 
38. Schoolgirls across the country are in green uniforms. 
39. 
40. Young growth 
41. Boys must be in costumes. 
42. I wanted to go to the bank ... 
43. Fuck it! Don't just go to the bank! Shoes are not allowed! Yes, this is not a joke. 
44. In Turkmenistan, there is still a lot of Soviet equipment on the move. In no other country have I seen so much retro rubbish as travels in Turkmenistan. The country is really poor, if you scrape off the gilding from the scenery. 
45. Market 
46.
47. Last summer, Turkmenbashi residents complained to journalists that the local market had very expensive products. They blame the price hike on visiting workers involved in the construction of facilities in Avaza:
There are so many of them that they now make up half of the entire population of our city. They say this: if all labor migrants are sent home, then prices in the bazaar will return to normal, and it will become easier to get a job.
48. 
49. All Turkish vegetables, almost nothing of their own. Tomatoes for 100 rubles. Inexpensive. 
50. Everything is plastic, as in Moscow. 
51.
52. Golden teeth;) Let me remind you that Turkmenbashi fought with them at one time. 
53. Like this. 
Often in the comments, for some reason, Turkmenistan is compared with the United Arab Emirates, or rather, with the emirate of Dubai. The comparison is fundamentally wrong. There are not so many local people in Dubai, in this they are very similar to the Turkmens. But only the indigenous people of Dubai live like this: 
And this is the Al-Barsha area. It is impossible for a foreigner to buy real estate here. luxury villas, good cars. I have not seen a single ruined house or poor Dubai in Dubai. All sorts of guest workers from Bangladesh or Indians live in poverty. And in Turkmenistan, one of the richest post-Soviet republics, the leader took all the wealth. And now he decides to build him a new golden statue, new palace or overlay everything with white marble. And ordinary people live the same way as we do. There is no Turkmen miracle.
Continue tomorrow.
City of TurkmenbashiTurkmenbasy
The section lacks links to sources of information. The information must be verifiable, otherwise it may be questioned and removed. You can edit this article by adding links to authoritative sources.The modern Russian-language name of the city is Krasnovodsk, according to one version, this is a translation of the local toponym Kyzyl-Su, associated with the fact that there were a lot of plankton with a distinct pink tint in the water of the Krasnovodsk Bay. There are also other versions.
Administrative-territorial division
In July 2013, 2 etraps were created as part of the city of Turkmenbashi. The Avaza etrap with an area of 9660 hectares includes the Avaza National Tourist Zone, international Airport and several small villages. The Kenar etrap with an area of 7262 hectares included the main part of the city of Turkmenbashi and the territory of the Kenar settlement.
Story
Bakhmi Station of the Trans-Caspian Railway in 1890
The first attempt to consolidate the Russian Empire on the eastern coast of the Caspian dates back to 1717, when Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky founded a fortification on the coast of the Krasnovodsk Bay (“at the mouth of the Uzboy”), preparing a campaign against Khiva.
Sunset in the city of Turkmenbashi
In 1869, under the leadership of Colonel Stoletov, the fortified fort of the Russian army was re-founded (now the village of Kenar, before being renamed "UFRA"). The place where Krasnovodsk was founded was called Shaga-dam. The fort was used as a base for operations against the Turkmen nomads and for campaigns against the Bukhara and Khiva khanates. The Trans-Caspian region was formed, Krasnovodsk was its center before the construction of Ashgabat (see Central Asian possessions of the Russian Empire). It was a small town inhabited by Russian military and officials, as well as merchants - Persians and Armenians. After the construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which began from Krasnovodsk, from Central Asia via the ferry to Baku in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Krasnovodsk turned into an important transport center and began to grow.
The Red Army took possession of the fort in February 1920. On November 21, 1939, the Krasnovodsk region was formed with the administrative center in Krasnovodsk, it was liquidated and restored several times (it was liquidated on January 23, 1947, restored on April 4, 1952, liquidated on December 9, 1955, restored on December 27, 1973, liquidated on August 25, 1988 ).
On January 10, 1991, on the territory of the former Krasnovodsk region, the Balkan region was formed (from May 18, 1992 - velayat) with the center in Balkanabat. In 1993, the city was renamed by President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) in his honor.
Modern Turkmenbashi
Hotel Turkmenbashi 
Turkish park
Per last years the city carried out large-scale work on the reconstruction of the historical part of the city, entrance highways, life support infrastructure. A new "Turkish" park and a cascade of fountains were built. At the end of 2012, Magtymguly Avenue was completely reconstructed, the new highway connected with the city embankment of Bahry Khazar, providing a double exit from the city at the western road interchange "Balykchi" along the dam laid through Soimonov Bay to the Airport-Avaza high-speed highway.
The Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries specializes in the production of polypropylene, diesel and universal oils and other petroleum products.
It houses the State Maritime and river transport Turkmenistan and the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port.
There are 3 modern hotels in the city.
Population
Population change in Turkmenbashi
Year 1913 1939 1972 1979 1989 2005 2010
Population (persons)
73 803Transport
Boeing at Turkmenbashi airport
The city is important as a transport hub, formed seaport with a ferry terminal, a railway and an airport. The M37 trans-Turkmen highway passes through the city, connecting Karabogaz, Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi with Bukhara.
The airport
Main article: Turkmenbashi (airport)
In 1990 Krasnovodsk Airport celebrated its 50th anniversary. Originally located downstairs in the area of the hospital. During the Second World War, it was transferred to the top of the plateau and existed on the same airfield with units of the Air Force, as a joint-based airfield. It was considered the assigned airport of the Ashgabat enterprise. As an independent unit, it has existed since 1959 after the creation of 225OOAE (a separate combined air squadron), in 2010 it was reconstructed and received international status. It has two runways, connects the city with Ashgabat and Dashoguz. The airport can be reached from the city by car or bus. Travel time to the city by car takes 10-15 minutes.
Rail connection
Turkmenbashi railway station Main article: Turkmenbashi railway station
The Turkmenbashi railway station was built in 1895 by architect Alexei Benois. Benois is the author of the palace of the Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich in Tashkent and many other projects in the former Turkestan.
The station building is one of the most beautiful in the entire railway of Central Asia. Station Square is adjacent to the memorial to the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War.
Sea transport
An integral part of the transport system of Turkmenistan in international transport projects and corridors are the railway ferry crossings Turkmenbashi - Baku, Turkmenbashi - Astrakhan. Turkmenbashi International Seaport is the largest seaport in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenbashi - Baku
Main article: Baku-Turkmenbashi ferry service
Ferry crossing Turkmenbashi - Baku is a railway-passenger crossing on the Caspian Sea between the cities of Turkmenbashi and Baku (Azerbaijan). Distance - 306 km. Each of the operating ferries takes on board 28 railway cars and 200 passengers. All eight vessels operating at the crossing fly the Azerbaijani flag. This crossing is part of the European route E60.
Transport
Geography
The city is located on the shores of the Krasnovodsk Bay, 520 km northwest of Ashgabat, with which it is connected by road and rail.
From Azerbaijani Baku to west bank The Caspian Sea connects the city with a ferry crossing (306 km).
Climate
The climate is subtropical desert. Precipitation per year is only 125 mm, mainly in the autumn-winter period.
- Average annual temperature - +15.1 C° Average annual wind speed - 3.8 m/s Average annual air humidity - 60%
Climate of Turkmenbashi
Jan. Feb. March Apr. May Jun Jul Aug. Sen. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year
Absolute maximum, °C 20.7 22.3 29.0 36.0 40.7 41.9 44.7 42.9 43.5 33.4 28.1 24.7 44.7
Average maximum, °C 7.5 8.7 13.1 19.9 25.8 31.6 34.6 34.5 29.3 21.5 14.2 9.1 20.8
Average temperature, °C 3.3 3.9 7.7 13.7 19.5 25.1 28.2 28.0 22.7 15.4 9.3 4.9 15.1
Average minimum, °C ?0.3 ?0.2 3.2 8.5 13.6 18.9 22.2 22.0 16.7 10.0 5.0 1.2 10.1
Absolute minimum, °C ?21.5?21.9?12.6?2.6 2.7 6.6 14.1 10.2 3.3?2.9? ,9
Precipitation rate, mm 12 13 17 16 9 3 2 5 5 11 19 13 125
Turkmenbashi, formerly known as Krasnovodsk in the Balkan region, Turkmenistan.
In 1717, the Russian prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky arrived and founded a secret fortified settlement on this site, there was a dried-up riverbed of the Amu-Darya, which flowed into the Caspian Sea. His goal was to lead the army along the dry bottom of the river to the Khiva Khanate and defeat it. The campaign failed, and the Russians left the village more than 150 years ago.
In 1869, the Russians made a second and last hike. They named their fortress Krasnovodsk - the Russian version of the original name, Kyzyl-Su (Red Water). Krasnovodsk was the base of the Russian Empire for the development of operations against Khiva and Bukhara and nomadic Turkmen tribes. In February 1920, the Red Army captured the fort.
In 1993 Krasnovodsk was renamed Turkmenbashi, many have speculated that President Niyazov self-proclaimed "Leader of the Turkmen" (Turkmenbashi) and named the city after this, another rationale for the renaming means that Turkmenbashi is where the Turkmen originated.
Niyazov's successor, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, has pledged to invest $1 billion in a project aimed at turning Turkmenbashi into a major tourist resort "with dozens of hotels, resorts, seaside restaurants and skyscrapers gleaming like spaceships."
How to get there
By train
Turkmenbashi is the western part of the Trans-Caspian railway. The Turkmen railway provides routes from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi. Train 606 leaves Ashgabat at 8:10 pm daily, arriving in Turkmenbashi at 9:15 am. Train 24 leaves Ashgabat at 8:40 pm every second day, arriving in Turkmenbashi the next morning at 6:55.
By car
From Kazakhstan
A two-hour drive from Zhanaozen to the borders of Turkmenistan and another 40 minutes drive from the border on a dirt road to the city of Karabogaz (formerly Bekdash) (about $ 50 per car). From Karabogaz there is good road to Turkmenbashi with beautiful views of the Caspian Sea. About 60 km south of Karabogaz, the road intersects with a bridge built over a canal connecting the Caspian Sea with inland bays.
for Turkmenistan
Turkmenbashi is located about 560 km from Ashgabat.
By ferry
There are routes along the Caspian Sea in,. The trip takes 12 to 18 hours and costs about $50 per seat. Several flights a week, but no fixed schedule. Please be aware that your flight may be delayed and your visa may expire at this time. Take food and water with you.
Clue:
Turkmenbashi - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow − 2
Kazan − 2
Samara − 1
Yekaterinburg 0
Novosibirsk 2
Vladivostok 5
When is the season. When is the best time to go
Clue:
Turkmenbashi - monthly weather
Main attractions. What to see
Museum of History and Local Lore
Rylova street. From Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm exhibits depicting the nomadic life of the Turkmen people are presented, $ 0.10. 
Russian Orthodox Church
Japan Memorial (near the airport)
A memorial to the thousands of Japanese prisoners of war who built roads and buildings here during World War II. 
Food. What to try
Things to do
Swimming in Avaza, (8 km north of the city). Avaza resort - a place that includes dozens of hotels and sea beaches. In the evenings, laser shows are held to entertain the population and guests of the resort. 
Shopping and shops
Bagtygul Bazaar, st. Makhtumkuli. You can buy caviar for $22 per pound.
How to move around the city
The local bus station is located on Balkanskaya Street, about 500 meters west of the local history museum. A taxi ride around the city will cost about 3,000 manats and 5,000 manats to Avaz (10 km north of Turkmenbashi).
How to leave
By plane
Turkmenbashi is connected to Turkmenistan by airlines leading to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. Flights to Ashgabat and Dashoguz cost from 11 to 12 dollars.
By train
Turkmenbashi is the western part of the Trans-Caspian railway. The Turkmen railway provides routes from Ashgabat to Turkmenbashi. Train 605 leaves Turkmenbashi at 4:05 pm daily, arriving in Ashgabat at 5:50 am. Train 23 leaves Turkmenbashi at 7:30 pm every second day, arriving in Ashgabat the next morning at 5:20. A seat (compartment, second class) costs $1.20. Information about rail services can be obtained by calling 99462.
By car
Head north from Turkmenbashi to Karabogaz on a good road with great views of the Caspian Sea. Last part: 40 minutes drive from the border along a dirt road to the town of Karabogaz (formerly Bekdash). From the border of Turkmenistan, it is a two-hour drive to Zhanaozen,.
By bus
Shuttle taxis to Ashgabat and Balkanabat are located in front of railway station, st. Atamurat Nuyarov. The trip to Ashgabat will take 6 hours and will cost about $8 per seat or $25 for the whole car.
Shuttle taxis to the north, to the Kazakh border. They stop in Zhanaozen (New Uzen). The trip takes 7 hours and costs about $40 per car.
Excursion around the city of Turkmenbashi.
“I demand from my city: asphalt, sewerage and hot water. As for culture, I myself am cultured "
Karl Kraus.
This November marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the city of Krasnovodsk (now Turkmenbashi). Krasnovodsk is the oldest modern city in Turkmenistan.
The history of the city is inextricably linked with the history of Russian-Turkmen relations, which had both white and black pages.
The first Russian military-scientific expeditions to the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea were organized as early as the beginning of the 18th century, in particular, three times in the period from 1715 to 1717.
In 1716, three fortresses with small garrisons were built on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, one of which was located in the Kizyl-Su Bay.
In 1717, a large expedition was organized under the leadership of Bekovich-Cherkassky.
Up to 3 thousand people, 6 thousand horses, a large number of camels took part in it. Despite the fact that Bekovich-Cherkassky sent ambassadors to the Khan of Khiva Shirgazi, that he was the ambassador of the Russian state, the latter attacked him 120 kilometers from Khiva.
As a result of the fighting, the Khivans suffered heavy losses, despite their multiple superiority. Russian troops were better armed and disciplined. Realizing that it would not be possible to win in a fair fight, the Khan of Khiva resorted to cunning.
He expressed regret about what had happened, and invited Bekovich-Cherkassky and his entire detachment to visit. The detachment was divided into five parts. Soon they were dealt with separately.
Bekovich-Cherkassky himself was beheaded. So sadly ended the first major Russian expedition to Central Asia. The events of 1717 did not become a big obstacle to the further expansion of relations between the Turkmens and Russia.
In 1719 and 1726 new expeditions were equipped, as a result of which the first scientific map of the Caspian Sea was created. In the second half of the 18th century, the Russian state sent expeditions to the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea several times.
In 1773 and in 1781, expeditions led by S. Gmelin and Count M. Voinovich were on Cheleken Island. They emphasized that the Turkmens of the coast received their people cordially and friendly.
In 1801-1802, representatives of the Turkmens of Mangyshlak arrived in St. Petersburg with a request to accept them as subjects of Russia. In May 1802, Alexander the First by a special decree announced the acceptance of the Turkmens of Mangyshlak under the protection and citizenship of Russia.
In 1811, part of the Turkmens of Mangyshlak moved to Astrakhan, where their ancestors live to this day. According to the 2002 census, about 2,200 Turkmens lived in the Astrakhan region.
Expeditions are organized in 1819-1821, 1832, 1836. In 1836, the Maslakhat of the Caspian Yomuds took place in Esenguly. It was attended by 118 representatives, selected from approximately 180,000 inhabitants of the region.
After a general exchange of views, it was decided that it was necessary to ask Russia for protection. In 1859, an expedition was organized to explore east coast Caspian, as well as the selection of a site for the construction of a fort.
Krasnovodsky examined in detail
bay, depth measurements were made. In November 1869, a military detachment led by N.G. Stoletov founded the city of Krasnovodsk, on the site of the ancient well Shagadam. The process of entry of Turkmenistan into the Russian Empire begins, which was not always voluntary.
In 1870-1872 several expeditions were organized from Krasnovodsk deep into the Turkmen lands. In 1874, the Transcaspian military department was created, the center of which became Krasnovodsk.
Earlier in 1873, the Krasnovodsk bailiff was created. On the basis of the department in 1882, the Transcaspian region was created. In June 1880, the construction of the first railway in the history of Turkmenistan began.
The main line started from the shore of the Mikhailovsky Bay of the Caspian Sea and already in September 1881 was brought to Kizylarvat. Krasnovodsk becomes a commercial seaport.
Being an important transshipment point for goods, it is turning into the "gates of Central Asia." In 1908, the number of workers in the city reached 1.5 thousand people. In 1913, about 1 million tons of cargo was transported along the Trans-Caspian Railway.
By 1913, 7,000 people lived in Krasnovodsk. The ethnic composition of the population, both at that time and later, was variegated - Russians, Persians, Tatars, Poles, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Kazakhs.
Not many Turkmen lived, mainly in the nearby auls. The city has trading warehouses, a bazaar, hotels, port facilities, offices of companies and communities, including oil production.
In 1917, after the October Revolution, power in the city passes to the Bolsheviks. In July 1918, the Right SRs and Mensheviks seized power as a result of a coup.
In February 1920, the Red Army captured the city again. In the 1930s, in Krasnovodsk, as in all of Turkmenistan, there was a rapid growth of industry. In 1939, 21,000 people already lived in the city.
The development of the city required qualified specialists. Due to their influx, the population of the city grew. In 1943, during the difficult years of the war, the first production was produced by the Krasnovodsk oil refinery.
The country at that time especially needed oil products. In 1940, the TSSR already produced 540,000 tons of oil per year. In the 1950s and 1960s, Krasnovodsk became a major industrial center of Turkmenistan.
Oil refining, food industry, production of building materials, energy industry are developing here. In 1972, 51,000 people lived in the city.
Krasnovodsk has a pedagogical and medical school. In 1989, the population of the seaside town reached 58,900 people. It should be noted that in the 1970s and 1980s, population growth slowed down significantly.
In Krasnovodsk, even then, trends towards an outflow of the population to Ashgabat and the central regions of the USSR became clear. City before 1987 administrative center Krasnovodsk region, which was subsequently abolished and re-created in January 1991, but with the center in the city of Nebit-Dag.
Since 1992 it has been renamed Balkanskaya. In 1993, the city was renamed in honor of the President of Turkmenistan - Turkmenbashi. In the 1990s, there was a strong outflow of residents to the republics. former USSR and Ashgabat.
According to the 1995 census, Krasnovodsk is the only locality Turkmenistan, where Russians made up the majority of the population (32.8%). Krasnovodsk continued to be one of the most multinational cities in Turkmenistan.
Numerous communities of Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Germans, Lezgins, Uzbeks, Kazakhs were represented here. In 1999, the five millionth resident of Turkmenistan was born in the city.
In 2005, the city has 68,300 inhabitants. Krasnovodsk is in many ways a unique city in Turkmenistan. And it's not just its coastal location. It is the only one where whole quarters have been preserved, built up with buildings that are a hundred or more years old.
The architecture of the city is also original, which has certain Caucasian features, somewhat similar to Baku. As before, and now the main problem of the city is water supply.
Despite the fact that a lot of work has been done in this regard, a similar problem continues to occur. In the second half of the 20th century, Krasnovodsk grew significantly in size.
New microdistricts were built - Cheryomushki, as well as residential areas west of the city. However, over the past 20 years, not one new multi-storey residential building has been built in the city, but there are logical explanations for this, including due to the strong outflow of the population during this period.
An important problem for the city is ecology. This issue is especially relevant, due to the proximity of the city complex and thermal power plants. In 2010, large-scale work began to clean up the city port from old ships.
There have been dozens of the latter. In 2000, the first two modern hotels, Turkmenbashi and Serdar, were built in Krasnovodsk and its environs. In 2007, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov put forward the idea of building a National Tourist Zone in the town of Avaza, 12 kilometers west of Turkmenbashi.
During these 4 years, 10 new hotels, several rest houses, two children's health camps, cottage rest houses, cafes, amphitheaters and other facilities have already been built here.
Among them is a seven-kilometer canal. In the future, it is planned to build an aqua park, an indoor ski complex, parks, hotels and other tourist facilities.
There are plans for the construction of a new city, announced by the President of the country in 2008. A big event for the city was the opening of a new international-class airport that meets all requirements, with a runway of almost 4 kilometers.
Currently, international and local flights are operated from the airport, in particular to Istanbul and Moscow. This year, a major transport interchange was opened, as well as new highways.
The city has one of the oldest Orthodox churches laid down in 1895. Walking through the streets of the old part of the city, you immerse yourself in the peculiar atmosphere of Krasnovodsk of the past, such as it was at its inception.
Despite the fact that many buildings are a hundred or more years old, they are all functional. Many are still residential buildings.