NORTH KOREA of Central Asia! Inside World's Most SECRET Country, Turkmenistan

🇦🇪➡️🇹🇲 The journey from the skyscrapers of Dubai to the silent, white marble of Ashgabat is a culture shock before you even leave the airport. I took the FlyDubai flight and landed in Turkmenistan—one of the world's most isolated countries—in the dead of night. What happened next was totally surreal: a mandatory, official COVID test in 2025! Watch my tense, bizarre experience navigating the immigration process at the massive, empty Ashgabat International Airport (designed like a soaring bird). See the strict, confusing, and seemingly illogical rules in action from the moment I stepped off the plane. This is the first look at a country that keeps the world locked out, where simple rules become complex bureaucratic hurdles.

This country is a geopolitical and cultural paradox built on immense natural gas wealth and a legacy of extreme authoritarian control. Turkmenistan is often compared to North Korea for its tight government control, personality cults, and isolationist policy of "Permanent Neutrality" declared by the UN.

Key Facts & Bizarre Rules You'll See:
The White City: Ashgabat holds a Guinness World Record for the highest concentration of white marble buildings in the world. Every building, from apartment blocks to government complexes, is clad in pristine Italian or Greek marble. Even the cars are often restricted to white or light-colored vehicles!

The Cult of Personality: For decades, the country was ruled by Saparmurat Niyazov, who called himself "Turkmenbashi" (Leader of the Turkmen) and established a massive personality cult. While the current regime has evolved, supreme power is now concentrated around the "National Leader" (Arkadag—the Protector).

Isolation & Censorship: Independent travel is strictly controlled. Nearly all tourists must be accompanied by an official guide, and itineraries are pre-approved. Internet and social media are heavily censored, making a local SIM card virtually useless and communicating with the outside world a massive logistical hurdle.

The Desert & The Gates of Hell: Beyond the capital's polished facade, over 80% of Turkmenistan is covered by the vast Karakum Desert, home to the country's most famous natural wonder: the perpetually burning Darvaza Gas Crater.