What's the 'Gateway to Hell' and why are tourists flocking to see this burning attraction that locals fear may close soon?
Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan is a perfect example of that.
More than 50 years ago, a Soviet exploratory team drilling for natural gas created this immense fiery pit, which has since become one of the country's most captivating sights, according to a report published by CNN.
'Gates of Hell'
Known as the «Gates of Hell» and the "Shining of Karakum," the crater is a spectacle of methane-fueled flames that escape through numerous vents along its floor and walls. Visitors standing near the rim can feel intense heat radiating from the chasm, and the view is particularly striking at night when dense waves of fire dance beneath a star-filled sky.
Nestled amidst dunes and rocky outcrops in the remote Karakum Desert, the crater has become a top destination for those exploring Central Asia. Initially, visitors had to bring their own supplies for an overnight stay, but now there are three permanent camps offering yurts or tents for accommodation, meals, and motorized transport to the crater’s edge.
Rumours of shutdown
The crater spans approximately 230 feet (70 meters) in width and 100 feet (30 meters) in depth, with vertical walls leading down to a rocky debris field. To enhance safety, a fence was erected in 2018 to prevent visitors from getting too close to the blazing hole.
«It’s a collapsed gas cave, which sounds about as interesting as an old gas oven. But there’s this eeriness about it, and I actually found it quite creepy,» Ged Gillmor, the author of Stans By Me: A Whirlwind Tour Through Central Asia told
