Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
several fees to pay. One certiies that the car-
pet is not antique, which usually costs US$10
to US$30, while a second is an export fee that
costs around US$50 per square metre. As with
all government taxes on foreigners, these are
paid in US dollars. When you buy a carpet at a
state shop, these fees will be included in the
price, but double check before handing over
your money. Those in a hurry are best advised
to buy from one of the many government shops
in Ashgabat, where all carpets come complete
with an export licence. Despite being more
expensive than purchases made at Tolkuchka
Bazaar, this still works out as very good value.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Take care when photographing public build-
ings, especially in Ashgabat. Local police take
this seriously and you may have your docu-
ments checked even if simply strolling near the
Presidential Palace with a camera in your hand.
There are no 'no photo' signs anywhere, so
you'll need to ask the nearest policeman if it's
OK to take a picture.
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
Turkmen Embassies in Central Asia
Turkmen embassies can be found in Kazakhstan
(p126), Uzbekistan (p222) and Tajikistan (p365).
Turkmen Embassies & Consulates in
Other Countries
A full list of Turkmen embassies abroad can be
found at www.mfa.gov.tm/functions/tmd.html
(in Russian).
Turkmen Embassy, Azerbaijan
(
%
994 12
596 3527; Jalil Mammedguluzade 85/266 14,
Baku, Azerbaijan)
Turkmen Embassy, China
(
%
+86 10 6532
6975; www.turkmenembassy.cn; King's Gar-
den Villas, D-1, Xiaoyunlu 18, 100016, Beijing,
China)
Turkmen Embassy, France
(
%
0153 651 071;
13 rue Picot, 75016, Paris, France)
Turkmen Embassy, Germany
(
%
030 3010
2451; www.botschaft-turkmenistan.de; Lango-
bardenalle 14, D-14052, Berlin, Germany)
Turkmen Embassy, Iran
(
%
98 5199 940 584;
Kucheye Konsulgari 34, Beydane Shahidan,
Mashhad, iran)
Turkmen Embassy, Russia
(
%
7 495 691
6636; Filipovsky proyezd 22, Moscow, Russia)
Turkmen Embassy, UK
(
%
020 7610 5239;
www.turkmenembassy.org.uk; 131 Holland
Park Ave, London W11 4UT)
Turkmen Embassy, USA
(
%
202 588 1500;
www.turkmenistanembassy.org; 2207 Mas-
sachusetts Ave, NW 20008, Washington DC,
USA)
Embassies & Consulates in
Turkmenistan
Afghan Embassy
(Map p380;
%
993 6569
4613, 48 07 57; Garaşsyzlyk şayoli 4/4,
Berzengi;
h
lodging 9am-10.30pm, collection
2-4pm Mon-Fri)
Azerbaijan Embassy
(Map p376;
%
391 447,
39 1102; www.azembassyashg.com; Ata
Govshundov 112;
h
9am-1pm lodging, 4.30-
6pm collection Mon-Fri)
French Embassy
(Map p376;
%
36 35 50, 36
34 68; www.ambafrance-tm.org; 2029 köçesi
38;
h
9am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri)
German Embassy
(Map p376;
%
36 35 15,
36 35 17; www.auswaertiges-amt.de; Ak
Altyn Hotel, Magtymguly şayoli;
h
9am-noon
Mon-Fri)
Iranian Embassy
(Map p376;
%
34 14 52;
Tehran köçesi 3;
h
9.30am-11.30am lodging,
11.30am-12.30pm collection Mon-Fri)
Kazakhstan Embassy
(Map p380;
%
48
04 69, 48 04 72; Garaşsyzlyk şayoli 11/13,
Berzengi;
h
lodging 9am-noon, collection
5-6pm Tue-Fri)
Kyrgyz Embassy
(Map p380;
%
48 22 95;
Garaşsyzlyk şayoli 17, Berzengi;
h
9am-1pm
Mon-Fri)
Russian Embassy
(Map p376;
%
94 07 41, 94
03 88; www.turkmenistan.mid.ru; Turkmen-
bashi şayoli 11;
h
9am-12.30pm Mon, Tue,
Thu & Fri)
Tajik Embassy
(Map p380;
%
48 18 45;
Garaşsyzlyk şayoli 4/2, Berzengi;
h
9.30am-
1pm & 3-6pm Mon-Fri)
UK Embassy
(Map p376;
%
36 34 62; 3rd
fl, Ak Altyn Hotel, Magtymguly şayoli;
h
8.30am-12.30pm & 1-4.30pm Mon-Fri)
US Embassy
(Map p376;
%
94 00 45; turk
menistan.usembassy.gov; 1984 köçesi 9;
h
9am-1pm & 2-6pm Mon-Fri)
Uzbek Embassy
(Map p376;
%
97 10 62;
Görogly köçesi 50A;
h
10am-1pm & 2-6pm
Mon, Wed & Fri)
HOLIDAYS
Turkmenistan has a great number of holidays,
though the country largely continues to work as
normal during most of them.
1 January
New Year
12 January
Remembrance Day (Battle of
Geok-Depe)
19 February
Flag Day (President's Birthday)
8 March
Women's Day
21 March
Navrus (spring festival); date varies
April (first Sunday)
Drop of Water is a Grain
of Gold Day
April (last Sunday)
Horse Day
9 May
Victory Day
18 May
Day of Revival & Unity
