Miraculous Balkan

Balkan Velayat is one of the most interesting regions in Turkmenistan, with great tourism potential. Located on the Great Silk Road route, this land has been a centre of international culture and trade since ancient times, a unique historic region. Archaeological work in Velayat contributed to the tracing history of the region from antiquity.

To date, Balkan Velayat is the largest region in the country (28.4%) – 139.3 km2. This area is rich in mineral resources and plays an important role in the economy of Turkmenistan.

The country's sea gate – the city of Turkmenbashi – is a major transit hub in the foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan and an important transit point for the effective development of the international transport corridor between Europe and Asia. From this city, the tourists who travel by cars can cross the Caspian Sea by ferry and continue their tour on the territory of Azerbaijan. According to the international experts, the Avaza National Tourist Zone, located on the Caspian Sea shore of Turkmenistan, is the most ecologically friendly area, which is especially popular among the local and foreign tourists.

A good environmental and safety record of the region, original oriental folk traditions, amazing beauty of nature in the Sumbar Valley, the Chendir and Aydere gorges, waterfalls, small rivers, pomegranate orchards, vineyards, the groves of wild fruit trees in the Syunt Hasardag State Nature Reserve, and historical monuments in the Balkhan Mountains fascinate tourists and reveal the secrets to them.

One of the most impressive places in Balkan Velayat is Dehistan (Misrian), a city founded at the late third century BCE. The city represented the most important medieval oasis in the South-Western Turkmenistan. Within six kilometres of the city, there is the ancient cemetery Mashad – a Muslim necropolis with the famous mausoleum of Ali ibn Sukkari or Shir Kabir, located in the centre, and the architectural monument of Mashad Ata. It is called a mosque ‘on wooden columns’. This is the oldest existing mosque in Turkmenistan.

The mausoleum and mosque of Parau Bibi – the patroness of pregnant women and children, the Gozli Ata and Kemal Ata cemeteries, Shibli Baba – a whole ritual complex at the foothills of the Syunt Hasar Mount are among the most popular tours and places of pilgrimage. Each year, a huge number of people visit the native village of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly – Gerkez, located in the picturesque Sumbar River valley. The poet's museum is established here.

There are many natural monuments and protected areas in Balkan Velayat, including in the Hazar and Syunt Hasardag State Nature Reserves, the Sumbar River valley, the Big and Small Balkhan Mountains, mud volcanoes, giant spheroids, the Yangikala, Yangisuv and Garashor canyons, the Chendir and Garashor villages and the dry channel of the ancient Uzboy River.