Turkmenistan is not a country that is often visited by foreign tourists. Without any world-renowned cities or destinations, this country in Central Asia often flies under the radar.
There is, at least, one place that you must check out in this under-the-radar country.
Located 160 miles to the north of the capital city of Ashgabat is the Darvaza gas crater, which has become colloquially known as the “Gate to Hell.”
This gas crater, which was once an oil field site which Soviet engineers tried to exploit for fuel. After the drilling site collapsed and a dangerous leak of methane gas began to emit, scientists had no choice but to ignite the source of the gas to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal compound.
This has led to a crater which has been continuously burning for over 40 years as methane gas continues to escape. It’s safe enough to visit and has been described as being one of the most unique tourist destinations on earth.
Not only can you peer into a massive gaping hole, measuring 230 x 200 x 66 feet, in the middle of the Karakum Desert, but it’s also possible to go camping just hundreds of feet from the site of this almost magical-looking anomaly.
So, would you be brave enough to peer into the “Door to Hell” and visit this unique site?
