Thousands of buildings in Ashgabat are covered in white marble - a smooth, shiny stone that reflects sunlight. The city was rebuilt and expanded over many years, and architects designed the wide avenues, fountains and grand public buildings to look impressive and welcoming. From above, the white city stands out against the sandy desert all around it.
The city has an enormous 133-metre-tall structure shaped like an eight-pointed star called the Neutrality Arch, and a giant outdoor fountain complex that runs along a central boulevard. The fountains are decorated with horses and local symbols, because horses are very important to Turkmen culture.
Ashgabat sits between the Karakum Desert and the Kopetdag mountains. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the mountains from the city streets. The contrast between the gleaming white buildings, the beige desert and the grey-blue mountains makes for a very striking view.
The city is also home to museums, parks and a huge covered bazaar called the Tolkuchka - one of the biggest markets in Central Asia, where you can find handwoven Turkmen carpets, jewellery, dried fruit and spices spread out across stall after stall.