Turkmenistan: Neutral Yet Quirky
https://www.remotelands.com/country/turkmenista
Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Caspian Sea. Most of the territory is covered by the Karakum Desert, so the state is one of the most sparsely populated in Asia, with only 7 mln people inhabiting 491,210 km² (189,660 sq mi).
Turkmenistan is rather hard to visit as a tourist, for it's governed as a presidential republic under a totalitarian hereditary dictatorship. You can't travel the country on your own; you have to hire a local guide, which is useful because almost none of the Turkmen speak English. A lot of ridiculous and quirky rules are valid here; still, they have to be observed in case you don't want to end up in jail or depart from the country.
The capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, is a grand city with plenty of breathtaking monuments, which make it the highlight of every visit to this country. Ashgabat is sometimes referred to as a "white marble city", as almost all the buildings here are made of white material; for the sake of "cleanliness", it is even forbidden to have a car of a dark colour here! Spend at least a day in this astonishing city, visiting the gold statue of Turkmenbashi, the previous president; the monstrous Wedding Palace; the world's biggest indoor ferris wheel with a splendid exterior; and a unique Monument to Neutrality (the thing is, Turkmenistan claims itself the only neutral country in the world).
Out of Ashgabat, there are lots to see and do. Go to Nisa, a Parthian royal residence destroyed during the Mongolian invasion; Merv, one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with an impressive fortress, multi-layered fortified walls, and the Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum. Swim in a sulphurous lake, Kow Ata, hidden in the underground (200 ft) cave. Take a look at Yangykala Canyon, rivalling the beauty of the US' Great Canyon; this area used to be the bottom of an ancient ocean. Visit a nerve-racking site of a human-made disaster - Darvaza gas crater, also known as the Gates of Hell: when the sun goes down, it certainly looks rather frightening.
Deciding upon a visit to a mysterious Turkmenistan, you obtain an opportunity to explore a hidden gem in Central Asia, see the things you will see nowhere else in the world, and get acquainted with a "neutral" yet quirky Turkmen culture. Don't be afraid to face difficulties - it may as well end up in an experience of a lifetime!