When you think of the world’s most closed-off countries, North Korea is probably the first to come to mind. Indeed, North Korea’s isolation is well-known, with its inner workings being as mysterious as a frog at the bottom of a well. However, I’d argue that North Korea’s isolation is merely a “half-open door,” while the true “locked door” belongs to Turkmenistan.
Have you never heard of this place? No worries, today I’ll peel back the layers of this mysterious country with virtually no tourists, to see how it manages to remain cut off from the world in today’s globalized era. What’s even more intriguing is that it’s not just isolated to a jaw-dropping extent; it’s also rich beyond measure, quietly wealthy.
Turkmenistan: The “Mysterious Nation” 
Turkmenistan, one of the most isolated countries on Earth, is situated in Central Asia, covering an area of 490,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of France. You might think it’s vast, but don’t forget, with a population of only 6.4 million, it’s just a fraction of Beijing’s population. Imagine the “serenity” of this place, in stark contrast to the anxiety of not finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle of a big city.
When people talk about closed-off countries, North Korea usually comes to mind first, right? North Korea still has a “half-open door,” occasionally allowing international visitors to check in. But Turkmenistan? That’s a different story. Can you imagine a place where the visa rejection rate is as high as 85%? Transit visas are rejected 100% of the time, leaving no room for even a glimpse inside. You think this door is open? It’s not just “closed tight”; it’s practically “no door at all.”
Turkmenistan’s Isolation: The Outside is the “World,” the Inside is “Our People”
In theory, the world is becoming more “globalized,” with information flowing freely, and the internet allowing us to stay updated on news from around the globe. Yet, in this era, the people of Turkmenistan know almost nothing about the outside world. I’d bet that 99% of its population might not even know where China or the US is on a map. Turkmenistan’s isolation rivals the ancient Chinese “Night Lang Arrogance” – that sense of being the center of the world while knowing nothing of the outside. While its isolation raises questions, it also makes for a very interesting “worldview.” The daily lives of the Turkmen people rely almost entirely on themselves, with most information coming from Russia, and other countries are merely “geographical terms from legends.”
Geographically Isolated, Rich in Resources: Why Can Turkmenistan Stay Closed Yet Be So Wealthy?
You might wonder how such a closed-off country can be so rich. Hold on, let’s talk about Turkmenistan’s resource advantage. Although its natural conditions are not great, with 80% of its land being desert or semi-desert and a dire lack of water, Turkmenistan has something that keeps it going – natural gas! Yes, you heard right, Turkmenistan ranks fourth globally in natural gas reserves, with over 50 trillion cubic meters! You might ask, “Isn’t this ridiculous? They’re in the desert, barely able to drink enough water, yet they’re so rich?” Well, let me tell you, Turkmenistan not only has natural gas but also oil, with an estimated reserve of 21 billion tons! Look, it might be resource-scarce, but it’s sitting on a fortune underground – not just gold, but the kind that doesn’t shine but can be exchanged for cash. Moreover, the country is also rich in coal, rare metals, and other resources, earning an annual national income of 12 billion USD from oil and gas exports. You might wonder what they live on? That’s right, they live comfortably on the wealth from “underground.”
The World’s Least Tourist-Friendly Country
Ironically, do you know how many tourists Turkmenistan receives each year? According to statistics, it hosts less than 20,000 tourists annually. You read that right, the entire country sees fewer tourists in a year than a single large concert in Beijing! And most of them are government or administrative personnel. For ordinary tourists to visit Turkmenistan, it’s as hard as climbing to the heavens. Why? Turkmenistan’s policy of opening up to the outside world is highly selective. Visa applications are like buying a lottery ticket; 90% are rejected outright, making your chances of visiting akin to winning the lottery. Therefore, for most people, this place seems like an “undeveloped wilderness.” There’s no tourism industry, no international sights, and aside from international officials, almost no one has ever taken a photo on its streets.
Ashgabat: White to the Point of Dazzling
If you’re lucky enough to step onto Turkmenistani soil, you’ll first be greeted by its capital, Ashgabat. The city’s white architecture will leave you speechless. The entire city is like a pearl, with marble buildings all over. Can you imagine the roads, cars, buildings, and streets all maintaining a snow-white state? White, so white you wouldn’t know how to describe it. Even the cars driven by locals are white, this “all-white” aesthetic can be quite dazzling, as if you’ve entered a real-life “Ice Kingdom.” More amusingly, Ashgabat’s cleanliness is beyond imagination, known as “the world’s cleanest city.” You won’t find a scrap of paper on the streets, and fewer people walk than drive, with none of the hustle and bustle of a big city. The city exudes an atmosphere of “artificial isolation,” making you wonder if this is truly a “living city.”
The “Rich Mine” in the Desert: Turkmenistan’s Resource Miracle
We often say, “Money means you can be as willful as you want.” But in Turkmenistan, this willfulness is built on natural gas and oil. Turkmenistan’s underground resources are a “gift from above,” with the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, over 21 billion tons of oil, and abundant coal and rare metals, making it one of the most promising energy-exporting countries globally. This country, without resources, wouldn’t survive, but with them, it’s rich beyond measure, truly a “rich mine in the desert.”
Low Cost of Living Like a Joke
If you’re a tourist from a big city stepping into Ashgabat, you’ll first be shocked by the low prices. Not to the point of being unacceptably low, but so low you might wonder if you’ve entered the wrong place. For example, a meal of grilled meat in Ashgabat can be had for 30 RMB, and a 5-kilometer taxi ride costs only 8 RMB. As for daily vegetable prices, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes are all less than 3 RMB per pound, making you curse in your heart, “Am I dreaming?” What’s even more astonishing is that in this desert nation, not only is food cheap, but housing prices and rents are so low they’ll make you laugh and cry. In remote cities, houses can be bought for as low as 600 RMB per square meter, and for 60,000 to 80,000 RMB, you could even buy a new home! You read that right, not “urban village” prices, but market prices in Turkmenistan. And in big cities, rent ranges from 200 to 500 RMB. After seeing all this, you might start to suspect you’ve entered a “paradise of living.”
Oil and Gas Benefits: Free Utilities, Gas at 1 Cent a Liter
Do you think the low cost of living already makes life in Turkmenistan not too bad? Wait, there are free benefits waiting for you. You guessed it, water and electricity are completely free in Turkmenistan! Whether you’re rich or an ordinary worker, everyone enjoys this perk, practically “royal treatment.” Free water and electricity, no worries about electricity bills when running the AC, no fear of water bills when taking a bath, such a life is a delightful contrast to “the rest of the world.” Even more incredible, the price of gasoline here is only 1 cent RMB per liter! Yes, 1 cent. This leaves many car-dependent countries in awe. Driving out into the desert for fun is almost like a joke. Compared to oil prices in the US or Europe, Turkmenistan seems to exist in a parallel universe of fuel prices.
Resource-Rich, Low Population, Turkmenistan’s Unique “Urbanization”
With a population of about 6.4 million, Turkmenistan’s population is equivalent to that of a second-tier city in China, making it a “sparsely populated” place. Can you imagine the population distribution in a country where 80% is covered by desert? Basically, only 98,000 square kilometers of land are suitable for habitation. These areas have become focal points for urbanization, making the process exceptionally efficient. With fewer people to crowd together, fewer urban issues to deal with, the government can control things more easily, and the “one move, one win” strategy is very effective. Moreover, the low population brings additional benefits, like low-cost infrastructure. During its rapid urbanization, Turkmenistan almost doesn’t need to worry about “land being grabbed.”
“Neutral Isolation” or “Outsider”? Turkmenistan’s International Isolation
If you think this country only survives on oil, gas, and “low-cost benefits,” you’d be greatly mistaken. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Turkmenistan is its isolation. Since 1995, it has been recognized by the UN as a “permanent neutral state,” meaning it will not participate in any military conflicts, and its politics are also neutral. Thus, Turkmenistan is known for its “closed shell.” You might think it’s similar to North Korea, and you’d be right. Even obtaining a visa is like facing a “life-or-death challenge,” with an 85% rejection rate, making it hard even for tourists to enter. Are you already feeling overwhelmed by these “obstacles”? Here’s another heavy-handed ban: foreign books, newspapers, and movies are prohibited from being imported. No “cultural invasion” allowed, even watching movies or reading books requires an “approved list.” If you think that’s not enough, let me tell you something else: Turkmenistan once had a national leader who closed all the country’s libraries because he believed “the people do not need to read.”
