The Gates of Hell, also known as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is a natural gas field in Turkmenistan that has been burning continuously since 1971. The site has become a popular tourist destination due to its unique and eerie appearance, with flames and smoke rising from the ground.

The history of the Gates of Hell goes back to the 1970s, when Soviet geologists were drilling for oil in the Karakum Desert. They came across a natural gas field, but as they were drilling, the ground beneath them collapsed, creating a large crater. Fearing that the gas would be harmful to the nearby villages, the geologists decided to set it on fire, hoping that it would burn out within a few weeks.

However, the gas has been burning continuously ever since, and the crater has only grown larger over the years. Today, the crater is over 70 meters wide and 20 meters deep, and the flames can be seen from miles away.

The site is not without controversy, as it is believed that the flames are contributing to climate change. The gas that is burning is methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that is 30 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Some scientists believe that the Gates of Hell is responsible for as much as 5% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite the environmental concerns, the Gates of Hell has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Visitors come from all over the world to see the flames and take photos of the otherworldly landscape. There are no guardrails or barriers around the crater, so visitors are free to get as close to the flames as they dare.

The Gates of Hell has also inspired artists and filmmakers. In 2014, Canadian filmmaker George Gittoes made a documentary about the site called "The Miscreants of Taliwood," which explored the cultural impact of the Gates of Hell on the people of Turkmenistan.

The site has also inspired local legends and folklore. Some people believe that the flames are the result of a curse placed on the land by a group of shamans, while others believe that the site is a gateway to hell itself. These legends have only added to the site's mystique and allure.

The Turkmenistan government has recognized the tourist potential of the Gates of Hell and has made efforts to promote the site. In 2013, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow visited the site and even posed for photos with the flames in the background.

However, not everyone is thrilled with the idea of turning the Gates of Hell into a tourist attraction. Some environmental groups have called for the flames to be extinguished, arguing that the methane emissions are contributing to global warming. Others worry that increased tourism will damage the fragile ecosystem around the site.

Despite these concerns, the Gates of Hell continues to burn, and tourists continue to flock to the site. For many people, the allure of seeing a real-life portal to hell is too great to resist, and the site's popularity shows no signs of waning anytime soon.