I Visited The Strangest Country On Earth

Why It Matters

Understanding Turkmenistan’s blend of authoritarian control, vast gas resources, and surprisingly ordinary daily life helps investors and travelers gauge risk, while challenging the monolithic “North Korea of Central Asia” narrative.

Key Takeaways

• Turkmenistan remains a gas-rich, tightly controlled former Soviet state.
• Travelers must disguise occupations to obtain visas and avoid censorship.
• Border crossings reveal dilapidated infrastructure dating back to Soviet era.
• Local markets blend genuine goods with staged tourist-friendly facades.
• Friendly locals challenge the ‘North Korea of Central Asia’ label.

Summary

A British vlogger finally fulfilled a teenage promise by traveling to Turkmenistan, the last of the former Soviet republics he had yet to visit. The video frames the nation as the “North Korea of Central Asia,” highlighting its authoritarian reputation while documenting the practical hurdles of entering the country, from falsifying a financial‑adviser occupation on visa forms to navigating a tightly monitored border crossing. The journey reveals a paradox: abundant natural‑gas wealth fuels a fragile economy, yet the nation’s infrastructure—bumpy roads, Soviet‑era petrol stations, and a burning gas‑field “gate of hell”—remains underdeveloped. Cheap taxis, state‑run supermarkets stocked with both authentic and staged products, and ubiquitous Soviet‑style architecture underscore the lingering legacy of the USSR. Restrictions on journalists and social‑media personalities force travelers to keep cameras hidden, while locals display a surprising friendliness that contradicts the country’s grim image. Memorable moments include a stop at a border café adorned with Soviet statues, a visit to a statue of Turkmenistan’s first post‑independence leader, and a glimpse of the continuously burning sinkhole that has blazed since 1971. The narrator’s off‑hand remark—“It’s not North Korea. South Korea”—captures the disconnect between perception and reality, as everyday citizens go about ordinary lives despite the regime’s tight control. The video suggests that Turkmenistan’s global reputation may be overstated; while political freedoms remain limited, the country’s gas reserves and emerging tourism niche present opportunities for investors and adventurous travelers. However, the need for subterfuge and the presence of outdated infrastructure signal that any engagement must be approached with caution and cultural sensitivity.

Original Description

🇹🇲 In the 8 years since I started the bald and bankrupt channel we have visited 14 of the former Soviet Replublics together. Well, it was finally time to complete the series with our 15th and final former Soviet republic. The hardest of all to get to: the bonkersTurkmenistan. Join me, as together we explore the Central Asian nation and take a peek at everyday life there. I might even find a wife...

Check out Joe's Insta @joepenprase and his TikTok @penprase for his vids and photos from the trip

Don't forget to check out my books at www.mrbaldandbankrupt.com