Around the world, many countries are known for a special identity something that makes them stand out on the global map. One such extraordinary place is Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. This stunning city is famous worldwide as the ‘White Marble City’, and a single look is enough to understand why. From buildings to pavements and even private cars, white is not just a color here it is a way of life.
A City Covered Entirely in White Marble
Ashgabat is one of the few cities on earth where the architecture creates a visual identity so striking that it feels almost unreal. The city is filled with white marble buildings, shining glass, and wide open spaces. In fact, Ashgabat holds a Guinness World Record for having the highest density of white marble buildings anywhere in the world.
Walk down any road and you will see the same dazzling theme. Government offices, apartments, markets, sidewalks everything has been built using the same bright white marble, giving the entire city a clean, polished, almost glowing look.
Because the structures reflect sunlight so strongly, residents say that even on a cloudy day you often need to wear sunglasses to walk comfortably outside. The sunlight bounces off nearly every surface, turning the city into a massive reflector.
Even Cars Must Be White Or They Get Seized
Perhaps the most unusual rule in Ashgabat is the strict control over car colors. The city’s love for white is so extreme that only white-colored cars are allowed to be driven. If a person enters Ashgabat with a car painted in any other color, local police reportedly seize the vehicle immediately.
Car owners are required to repaint their vehicles in white if they want them returned. Until then, they face heavy fines and can’t legally take the car back. This rule has become one of the most talked-about features of Ashgabat’s urban culture.
Why Such Strict Rule Exists
The rule regarding white cars was introduced in 2018. At the time, Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow who had also worked as a dentist earlier in life was known for his deep fondness for the color white. His preference shaped not only architectural choices but also public spaces and design elements across the capital.
In Ashgabat, advertisements, decorations, public monuments, and even small design pieces follow the white theme. The result is a city that looks uniform, extremely clean, and unlike anywhere else in the world.
One of the World’s Most Expensive Cities
Behind its shining appearance, Ashgabat also holds another distinction it is frequently ranked among the world’s most expensive cities to live in. High construction costs, strict regulations, and extensive imported materials contribute to its reputation.
Still, for visitors and residents, Ashgabat remains a place that feels both futuristic and unusual. Its white landscape, clean aesthetic, and strict rules create an identity that sets it apart from every other capital city on the planet.
