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TravelTips24 : Asia : Central Asia : Turkmenistan : Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashi, formerly known as Krasnovodsk, is in Turkmenistan.

Culture and History

In 1717, Russian Prince Alexander Bekovich-Cherkassky landed and established a secret fortified settlement on this location, where the dry bed of a former mouth of the Amu-Darya River once emptied into the Caspian Sea. His intent was to march an army up this dry riverbed and conquer the Khanate of Khiva. The expedition failed, and the Russians abandoned the settlement for over 150 years.

In 1869, the Russians made a second and latest attempt. They named their fort Krasnovodsk (Красноводск), which is the Russian version of the original name, Kyzyl-Su (Red Water). Krasnovodsk was Imperial Russia's base of operations against Khiva and Bukhara, and the nomadic Turkmen tribes. It fell to the Red Army in February, 1920.

In 1993 Krasnovodsk was renamed by president-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov, after his self-proclaimed title Türkmenbaşy ("Leader of all Turkmen"). Niyazov's successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow pledged to invest 1 billion dollars into the project slated to turn Türkmenbaşy into a major tourist resort "with dozens of hotels, spas, seaside restaurants and glimmering spaceship-like skyscrapers".

Travel to Turkmenbashi & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashi is connected by Turkmenistan Airlines flights to Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan.

By train

Turkmenbashi is the western extent of the Trans-Caspian Railway.

By car

Buses to Turkmenbashi

By boat

There are boats across the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan.

Tours & Getting around Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashi attractions and sightseeing

Turkmenbashi city tours

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Turkmenbashi souvenirs & shopping

Turkmenbashi Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

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Turkmenbashi nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Turkmenbashi cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

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This page was last edited at 11:05, on 4 October 2007 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Wikitravel user(s) Pashley and Jonboy and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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