Yangykala Canyon

Yangykala Canyon is a windblown panorama of multicolored gorges and unusual structures that runs 15 kilometers over the desert to the Garabogazköl Basin, is a natural attraction that few Turkmen have ever seen.

Yangykala was originally submerged, the seabed of a long-dead ocean that existed millions of years ago. When the ocean dried up, it left behind a rocky environment that was slowly eroded by wind and rain, carving up cliffs and canyons whose walls are now ribbed like odd stranded sea creatures' carcasses. Then there is the color palette: pinks and oranges, reds and yellows, a rainbow of coral colors that give Yangykala Canyon its particular appearance.

Yangykala's magnificent canyons originated 5.5 million years ago, and these amazing limestone landscapes were carved by the Karakum desert's rivers and winds. This area was a coastline zone of the ancient Paratethys ocean/sea around 15 million years ago. It is one of the country's attractions, but few people visit, so if you decide to visit certain regions of the country, you will almost certainly have the place to yourself. You may get there from either Balkanabat or Turkmenbashi, as the distance between the two cities is roughly 160 kilometers.

Location: Balkan Region, Turkmenistan
Entrance fee: N/A
Best time to visit: mornings and evenings
Hours: N/A