Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 23-Aug-24 -

This is already inscribed as "Cold Deserts of Turan" but not removed perhaps it wants to be added again? I don't think so and I hardly believe it was worth inscribing in the first place. If you come from Bukhara (Uzbekistan) you'll pass this momentarily as until today there is no real way around it. In 2025 they plan to finish the tolled motorway that goes around and you may miss it but fear not - you won't miss anything. For one you aren't actually allowed to enter the park without permit not that you will get one but the old road goes directly through it and there are some side paths you can take to get further into the park. I asked the guide if we can make a stop and he was glad to halt for a bit. There is the town to Repetek itself and abandoned areas further north. The main thing you will see are sand and trash, electricity wires and ...cars. Oh, I saw a dog.

According to the driver in late spring the area will all be green because it rained and the plants will thrive. The other times of the year it's sandy and hot/cold - in my case it was hot. There are also many animals to see AT NIGHT so daytime I saw absolutely nothing. We are talking wolves, foxes, snakes, all who find it too hot to come out in the summer hear. The area also goes way beyond what Google Map will tell you is the park so animals might be there rather than getting spotted near the busy road. Perhaps when the road is not busy anymore one can actually see wildlife nearby.