Mary trip planner

Prosperous thanks to its successful cotton growing and processing industry, Mary retains much of the Soviet-era sensibility once prevalent in this part of the world. The city dates back to the 1820s, when Tekke Turkmen erected a fortification here. Russians took over in the 1880s, seizing control of the cotton production and eventually the immense natural gas reserves just to the west of Mary. The city offers few tourist attractions, serving instead as a good base for day trips to nearby points of interest, which include the ancient cities of Merv and Gonur. Popular things to do in Mary itself include visiting the outstanding regional museum of history, known equally for its architecture and informative exhibits. Mary is in Mary Province. Plan how to spend your time in Mary and other destinations in Turkmenistan using our Turkmenistan trip itinerary planner .