Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, Cultural and entertainment complex in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The six-floor building rises 95 meters high with a glass and white steel structure housing a 57-meter diameter Ferris wheel at its summit.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov inaugurated this modern cultural center during an official ceremony on May 18, 2012, marking a new era for entertainment in Turkmenistan.
The center functions as a gathering place for cultural exhibitions, festivals, and events that showcase Turkmen art, crafts, music, and traditional performances.
Four floors extend above ground while two basement levels contain shopping areas, restaurants, and multiple spaces dedicated to public gatherings and celebrations.
The enclosed Ferris wheel, named Alem meaning Universe, earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the highest indoor wheel upon its completion.
Location: Ashgabat
Founders: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
Height: 95 m
Address: Arçabil (1939) şaýoly Ashgabat
GPS coordinates: 37.89861,58.29917
Latest update: November 23, 2025 09:59
Observation wheels allow the exploration of cities and their surroundings from heights ranging from 25 to 250 meters. These steel structures rotate slowly, giving visitors time to observe monuments, watercourses, and neighborhoods spread at their feet. In London, the London Eye looms over the Thames at 135 meters, while in Singapore, the Singapore Flyer stands at 165 meters with views reaching into Malaysia and Indonesia. In Las Vegas, the High Roller rises 168 meters above the lit-up Strip. Each wheel has its unique technical and historical features. The Tianjin Eye in China is integrated into the Yongle Bridge structure above the Hai River. In Vienna, the Wiener Riesenrad in Prater dates from 1897 and retains its original 15 wooden cabins. These attractions offer an alternative way to see cities, taking height for a rotation duration typically between 15 and 30 minutes.
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