Inside one of world's most mysterious cities you 'have to be invited to'

A man visited a 'mysterious' city to show others what it's like to go there (file) (Image: cartela via Getty Images)

The world is full of destinations that attract crowds of tourists, but it also hides countless lesser-known spots that few people are aware of.

Some countries, however, are much more selective about who they permit to enter - with North Korea being the most famous example, as it stays off-limits to the majority of international travelers. Other countries are open to tourism but enforce strict entry criteria, such as Turkmenistan.

Holidaymakers can only enter this landlocked Central Asian country with a visa and valid invitation letter. This documentation is typically secured through a local travel agency, which submits applications to the government on behalf of prospective visitors, authorising visa requests for entry to the country.

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital and largest metropolis, boasts a Guinness World Record for having the highest concentration of white marble buildings and is renowned for its magnificent scale and golden monuments. Pandhu Waskitha has gained recognition for his backpacking adventures and has amassed 2.1 million TikTok followers.

He shared footage on the platform showing his exploration of Ashgabat, captioning the clip: "POV: Entering one of the most mysterious countries." The Indonesian adventurer filmed the white marble structures, golden statues, fountains and sleek, modern architecture, but viewers were left puzzled by one particular aspect: the apparent emptiness.

No individuals are seen on the streets or within buildings throughout the entire video, creating an eerily deserted atmosphere. In the caption of his post, Pandhu wrote: "Surreal white marble, golden monuments, and almost empty streets - welcome to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, often called one of the world's most unique and mysterious cities."

He added: "Designed with grand scale and symmetry, Ashgabat feels like it belongs in a movie - futuristic, elegant, and unlike anywhere else. Fun fact: the city is also known for its immaculate cleanliness and carefully manicured streets, reflecting the Turkmen love for order and beauty."

The traveller referred to Ashgabat as a "place where reality feels cinematic and every corner sparks curiosity."

Despite its stunning exterior, the metropolis appears unusually empty owing to intentional governmental policies that prioritise massive, grand architecture designed to project magnificence rather than to accommodate large populations.

The city’s warm weather tends to keep people indoors for extended periods, and many central locations, including presidential offices, are off-limits to the public. According to Ebsco, of the roughly 5.6 million citizens of Turkmenistan, approximately 902,000 reside in Ashgabat.

Most citizens live in the affordable neighbourhoods of the city, away from the costly white marble zones. Pandhu's TikTok clip has amassed a staggering 9.7 million views, 1.2 million likes and more than 8,400 comments.

One viewer asked: "Why does it look so empty?" Another repeated: "Where are the people?"

Others drew comparisons to the Capitol, a technologically advanced metropolis in The Hunger Games book and film series, with comments, including "it's truly giving the Hunger Games, "welcome to the Capitol" and "the real embodiment of [the] Capitol from [The] Hunger Games." Someone who knows Ashgabat fairly well remarked: "I lived in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan for half a year. It's actually really cool, the nightlife is something else, and there's an underground skate scene that is FIRE.

"Pls (please) don't judge without knowing." Another user said: "Three words for Turkmenistan: clean, neat, beautiful."