Hey there, folks! It’s your boy Josh, and I’m here to give you the lowdown on Afghanistan.
Now, when you think of this country, the first thing that might come to mind is war and conflict, right? Well, let me tell you, there’s so much more to this rugged land than meets the eye.
First off, did you know that Afghanistan is home to one of the most famous things in the world? The answer to that burning question is none other than the ancient city of Kabul, which dates back over 3,500 years! Yup, that’s right, this country has been around for a hot minute.
Now, let’s talk geography. Afghanistan is a mountainous paradise with some seriously extreme weather.
From blistering heat to teeth-chattering cold, you’ll experience it all here. And if you’re a fan of breathtaking views, then you’ll be in heaven among the towering snow-capped peaks.
But it’s not just the landscape that’s diverse in Afghanistan. This country is home to over 20 different ethnic groups, each with their own unique language and traditions.
I remember the time I visited a Pashtun tribe in the summer. They were semi-nomadic, meaning they roamed the grasslands with their herds and slept in tents made of felted goat hair. Can you imagine? It was like stepping back in time.
Come wintertime, these tribes would settle down in the valleys to farm, and I’d find myself in bustling towns and cities. And let me tell you, the locals were some of the kindest and most hospitable people I’ve ever met.
They welcomed me with open arms and even taught me a bit of Pashto and Dari, the official languages of Afghanistan.
And last but not least, it’s worth noting that Islam is the main religion here. But don’t let that scare you off, my friends.
There’s so much beauty and wonder to be found in this country, and I highly recommend you add it to your travel bucket list.
What are the Best things to do in Afghanistan ?
Get ready to experience the most thrilling and exciting activities in Afghanistan that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Join me as I spill the beans on the best things to do in this majestic land, sharing with you my personal favorites that will blow your mind.
Kabul Museum
To have a better understanding of archeology and the history of Afghanistan, a visit to the Kabul Museum is an eye-opening experience that presents in artifacts and pictures the horrors that the people had to endure during the more than 30 years of conflict with Russia.
The director of the museum also serves as a guide, and relates many interesting stories about every artifact displayed in the building.
Because of security threats and the presence of armed rebels within the city, the intricate and valuable displays are kept safe and secured in a concealed vault within the museum to protect them from getting damaged or looted.
On display is a framed picture of each artifact and a brief history of its discovery and importance.
There are objects and paintings that highlight how Buddhist temples and cultural influences once dominated the country.
The pictures of how thousands of people fled the country at the height of the civil war bring consciousness of a horrible power struggle that remains unresolved up to the modern times.
In the courtyard of the museum, tourists will find the fleet of King Zahir Shah. There is not much to see except that all the cars are ruined, with traces of gunshots and punctured and deflated tires.
It is actually a miracle that the ancient museum itself has survived so long. Smoking and taking pictures inside are not allowed.
Darul Aman Palace
The Darul Aman Palace is an impressive neoclassical building on a hill with a view over the flat and humid valley in the western part of the Afghan capital.
Built to serve as the headquarters of a future parliament in the outskirts of Kabul, the building was used for many years after the religious conservatives forced Amanullah to step down from his rule.
The palace was first destroyed by fire in 1969. It was restored to shelter the Defense Department during the years from 1970 to 1980.
During the communist blow of 1978, the building was set afire. It was damaged again as rival groups faced the Mujahideen and fought for the control of Kabul during the decade of 1990.
The intense bombardments for the Mujahedeen that killed over one million Afghans after the end of the Soviet invasion left the building in rubble.
In 2005, a plan was announced to remodel the palace for the purpose of becoming the permanent headquarters of the future parliament of Afghanistan.
It was supposed be financed principally by donations from foreign aid and rich Afghans. Nevertheless, in July 2010 the efforts and hopes of rehabilitating the ruined building remained dim.
The palace can only be reached by car and taxi.
The surrounding garden is impressive and provides a 360-degree view of the entire Kabul landscape. Taking pictures of the façade and the ruins inside is strictly prohibited.
Kabul City Center
The Kabul City Center Shopping Mall is one of the first modern malls and recreation centers built in the capital city of Afghanistan.
Inaugurated in 2005, the high-rise indoor shopping mall is composed of nine floors or levels with various shops, restaurants, coffee shops, carpet traders, amusement centers, etc.
It is serviced by a mechanical escalator, transparent elevators and is fully air conditioned for every shopper’s comfort.
For the safety of the visitors, the windows are thick, made of crystal and resistant to any kind of explosive.
All visitors are examined by metal detectors and body-frisked before being allowed to enter.
The last six floors of the mall are a part of the Hotel Safi Landmark, a hotel based in Dubai and the acknowledged owner of the shopping mall.
Kabul Zoo
The Kabul Zoo is located near the shore of the river Kabul.
The zoo was first opened to the public in 1967 to emphasize the importance of preserving the rich wildlife of the Afghan flora and fauna.
It used to house more than 500 animals, and huge crowds of visitors came to witness its first years of operation.
Because of the intense fighting and shooting, the zoo was ruined inside and outside. The aquarium was totally devastated, and many animals such as deer and rabbits were shot by the rebels — to use as food during the height of the civil war.
Since it reopened in 2010, improvements have been made in every part of the zoo.
It now houses more than 280 animals wide selection of bird species, mammals and fish are now frequently visited by locals and tourists.
Entrance fees help the city earn much needed revenue, as the country has relatively little industry to begin due to the existing power struggle with Russia.
However, the conditions of the zoo remain poor and most animals are in a deplorable state.
The zoo operates from as early as 6 am until 6 pm and the entrance fee is reasonable enough for foreign and local visitors.
Abdul Rahman Khan Great Mosque
The Hajj Abdul’s Mosque Rahman, also known as the Great Mosque of Kabul , is one of the major mosques in Afghanistan.
It stands in the center of the capital city of Afghanistan and in fact is located in a crowded commercial district, near the Pastunistán Center and Kabul River.
The mosque has the capacity to accommodate almost ten thousand faithful Muslims daily. The Afghan architect Mir Hafizullah Hashimi originally designed the building.
Construction of the mosque started in the year 1990 but was suspended for several years after Taliban gained power and the war in Afghanistan heightened again towards the end of 2001.
The construction work was again resumed in 2003, after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decided to pay the remaining costs to push through and finish the overall construction of one of the biggest mosques in Asia.
The mosque, which was finally completed at the end of 2009, opened its doors and also the services of its nearby school for students of the Islamic faith.
The mosque is named after an influential Arab businessman called Haji Abdul Rahman. He was about to inaugurate its groundbreaking ceremony in 1990 but he died unexpectedly.
The responsibility of building the magnificent mosque was passed on to his grandsons until the project was fully completed and inaugurated in the year 2010.
Ghazi Stadium
The Ghazi Stadium has served its purpose well in Kabul in a variety of ways.
It was constructed during the reign of the king Amanullah Khan in 1923, who was considered to be a Ghazi (Hero) after winning the war with Great Britain and gaining the first independence of the nation.
The stadium has a maximum capacity of 25, 000 people.
The first international sport inside the huge Ghazi Stadium was a game of football between Afghanistan and Iran on January 1, 1941.
During the troubled decade of 1990 the stadium was used as a place for public executions, stoning and beheading activities by the Taliban government.
Nowadays, it has again become a training ground for sports, to encourage the youth to become more active (in addition to playing football.)
National events, major football tournaments, and interstate competitions are usually held in this large stadium.
Must see places in Afghanistan
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
The Buddhas of the Bamiyán Valley used to be the site of two monumental 170-foot statues built in the sixth century — carved into the face of a huge cliff in the Hazarajat region of central Afghanistan.
The principal statues were carved directly into the sandstone cliffs, but the details were shaped in mud mixed with straw and wooden plasters in a stucco finish.
Today it is totally defaced, having been ruined by the Taliban forces.
The ruins show that a once-imposing statue used to stand in the central part, where the head used to serve as the viewing tower over the valley.
Base on pictures that can be seen inside the small temples built inside the ruins, the statues were beautiful — but were considered as idols of veneration to the Buddhist belief and insulting to the faith of the Taliban government.
In 2001, on the order of then leader Mullah Omar Mohammed, dynamite sticks were placed all around the statues and most of the foundation and valuable images were destroyed.
The international community greatly condemned the act and viewed it as the perfect example of the ethnic group’s intolerance and disrespect to a UNESCO National Heritage Site.
Japan and Switzerland selflessly gave their support to the full restoration of the place and the reconstruction of the ancient statues at some future point.
Band- e –Amir National Park
Approximately 90 minutes’ drive away from the famous valley, a natural and refreshing scene awaits every traveler at the Band-e-Amir National Park.
The breathtaking scene consists mostly of 6 deep blue lakes that are ideal for quick picnic spots and a memorable photo opportunity.
An added bonus is the calm and serene atmosphere of the place.
There are no hawkers selling souvenir stuff, no cafes, no restaurants — but many crowds ogling to have a good spot and view of the lakes from the observation deck.
The natural charm of the attraction is what draws tourists to stop while driving and check out the cold and windy lakeside spectacle.
It is a secluded beauty that must not be missed seeing when in the Bamiyan region.
What else to see in Afghanistan ?
Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque also known as Hazrat Ali’s sanctuary is a mosque located in the Mazar-I-Sharif region in Afghanistan.
It is one of the renowned places of Ali’s burial. It is more popularly known as the “Tomb of the Most High”.
The real attraction of the place is not the blue tiled wall mosque but the shrine that was built and dedicated for the revered late Hazrat Ali.
He was the first religious leader (Imam) of the Shiites and also served as one of the caliphs for the Sunni faith.
With the huge flock of tourists that frequent the mosque, it has earned the reputation of one of the most-visited mosques and the safest part of Afghanistan.
Proper attire is required and proper behavior is expected from men and women when touring the rest of the mosque.
Afghan women in their burqa outfits must not be looked or gazed upon by men. Picture taking is not allowed and shoes must be left at the entrance door of the mosque.
Popular places to visit in Afghanistan
Bagh-e Babur
Even in a war-torn country like Afghanistan, it is still possible to find places of relaxation and serenity.
The founder of the Indian Empire, Mughal Babur, established the Bagh-e Babur as a park.
During his stay in Kabul, he was so saddened by the devastation during the civil war of the 90’s that he joined forces with the Agha Khan Foundation and the Federal Republic of Germany to pursue the creation of this park.
The attractions and monuments located therein include a Karavansarai, a palace, a historic pavilion, a mosque and the tomb of Babur that lies in the heart of Kabul.
On its quiet grounds one can safely stroll and comfortably interact with the nice people of Kabul, Afghanistan.
FAQs About Afghanistan
What is the climate like in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has a varied climate, ranging from extreme heat to biting cold.
As the land rises from scorching deserts to towering snow-capped peaks, you can expect to experience a range of temperatures during your visit.
What is the famous thing of Afghanistan?
The ancient city of Kabul is one of the most famous things in Afghanistan.
This historic city dates back over 3,500 years and is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the country’s rich cultural heritage.
What languages are spoken in Afghanistan?
The official languages of Afghanistan are Pashto and Dari.
However, with over 20 different ethnic groups living in the country, you can expect to hear a range of languages and dialects during your visit.
Is it safe to travel to Afghanistan?
Due to ongoing security concerns and political instability, the US Department of State currently advises against all travel to Afghanistan.
If you do decide to travel to Afghanistan, it’s important to take precautions and stay informed about local conditions.