Discover Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country with a deep historical and cultural legacy, known for its strategic location along the ancient Silk Road. The majestic Hindu Kush mountains dominate the landscape, offering stunning views and diverse ecosystems. Major cities such as Kabul, the capital, feature vibrant bazaars where visitors can experience the rich traditions of Afghan life. The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Bamiyan, known for its monumental Buddhas, and the minarets and archaeological remnants of Herat, which reflect its historical significance. Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Turkmens, Hazaras, and Uzbeks, contribute to a rich tapestry of languages, customs, and culinary traditions. With a blend of breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage, Afghanistan offers travelers a unique opportunity to explore its history and experience its warmth and hospitality.

Buddhas of Bamiyan

The Buddha statues dominate the Bamiyan valley. Carved in the 6th century, the two statues, standing 38m and 55m respectively, were the tallest standing statues of Buddha ever made.
Now gone, the emptiness of the spaces the statues have left behind nevertheless inspires awe and quiet contemplation in equal measure.

Markets of Kabul

Entering Kabul’s markets is like stepping back in time a hundred year, to a corner of the city untouched by war or modernisation.

City of Herat

Herat province, located in western Afghanistan, is known for its rich history and cultural significance. It features a diverse landscape of mountains and plains, with the Hari River flowing through it. The provincial capital, Herat city, is famous for its historical architecture, including the Citadel of Herat and the Great Mosque. The region has a mix of ethnic groups, primarily Pashtuns and Tajiks, and is known for its traditional crafts like carpet weaving. Herat also plays a vital role in trade due to its proximity to Iran and Central Asia.

Shrine of Hazrat Al

The twin blue domes of the Shrine of Hazrat Ali are one of Afghanistan's most iconic sights, and pilgrims come from across the country to pay their respects at the tomb contained inside. Although non-Muslims are forbidden entry to the shrine building itself, views of the building are to be much enjoyed from the pleasant park that surrounds the complex.

Shah-e doh shamshira mosque

alled the mosque of the king of two swords this mosque on Kabul river must be one of the most unusual in islam. Built in the 1920s during Amanullah’s Khan empir.

Paghman Hill

King Amanullah built Paghman in the 1920s as a showcase for his ideas on modernising Afghanistan. It was decorated with pleasure gardens and ornate buildings, including a Victory Arch freely copied from the Arc de Triomphe, celebrating Afghan independence in 1919. Its gardens have since been a popular picnic spot for Kabulis.

Valley of the Dragon

Darya Ajdahar
Five kilometres west of Bamiyan lies Darya Ajdahar, or Valley of the Dragon, where you'll find the petrified remains of a monstrous creature that once terrorised the region.
The dragon took up residence in Bamiyan in pagan times, and fed daily on a diet of virgins and camels provided by the browbeaten population. All attempts to slay it ended in a fiery end. Only Ali, the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law, fresh from creating the Band-e Amir lakes (see p 123), could manage the task. The dragon's burning breath turned to tulip petals as they licked around the hero, whereupon he drew his great sword Zulfigar and cleaved the monster in two.

Friday Mosque

Over 800 hundred years old, Herat's Friday Mosque is Afghanistan's finest Islamic building, and one of the greatest in Central Asia. A master class in the art of tile mosaic, its bright colours and intricate detailing are an exuberant hymn in praise of Allah.

Takht-e Rostam

The remains of this Buddhist stupa and monastery are one of the most unexpected sights in Afghanistan. On a hill above Samangan, they offer a commanding view of the valley below.

Mosque of the Sacred Cloak

Mosque of the Sacred Cloak
A cloak worn by the Prophet Mohammed is housed in the Mosque of the Sacred Cloak (Da Kherga Sharif Ziarat) by far the city's most valued treasure. The mosque is situated opposite the governor's palace. Ahmed Shah Durrani acquired the cloak along with a hair of the beard of the Prophet from the Amir of Bukhara in 1768. When the Taliban took Kandahar in 1994, Mullah Omar wrapped himself in the cloak in front of thousands of loyal Talibs, giving himself god-like status as Amir Al-Momineen (Commander of the Faithful). As a visitor you will be unable to see the cloak but the building is impressive in itself - ornately decorated with green Helmandi marble,

Wakhan Corridor

Afghanistan's Wakhan District is a narrow strip of land that juts eastwards 350km between Tajikistan and Pakistan to touch the Chinese border. Wakhan District has two distinct parts - the Wakhan Corridor and the Afghan Pamir.
The deep valley of the Wakhan Corridor is formed by the Panj River as it courses between the lofty mountains of Tajikistan to the north and the snowcapped Hindu Kush Range with 38 summits higher than 7000m to the south. Wakhan is the homeland of 12,000 Wakhi people who live in year-round villages along the Panj River's south bank and its upper tributary, the Wakhan River, where they cultivate wheat, barley, peas, potatoes and a few apricot trees.

Band-e Amir

Band-e Amir
The glittering lakes of Band-e Amir must rank as Afghanistan's most astounding natural sight, hidden in the Koh-e Baba at an altitude of 2900m. A series of six linked lakes, their deep blue waters sparkle like otherworldly jewels against the dusty mountains that surround them.

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