BAMIYAN

Bamyan, with its archeological remains, is the most conspicuous tourist site of Afghanistan. The village lies about 2500m above sea level, 240km west of Kabul . The exquisite beauty of this valley is embraced by the snow capped range of the Kohe Baba mountains in the south and in the north by the steep cliffs in which massive images of Buddha are carved . The pastel colors of its surroundings give visitors an impression of the magnificence and serenity of nature . The area of Bamiyan developed under Kanishka the Great to become a major commercial and religious center and the smaller statue of Buddha (38mhigh) was built during his reign . Two centuries later the colossal Buddha statue (55mhigh) was carved . Thousands of ornamented caves, inhabited by yellow robed monks, extended into Folladi and Kakrak valley, where a smaller statue of Buddha stands . Pilgrims from all the Buddhist world poured into Bamiyan to admire its spectacular and sacred sites. Bamiyan fell to the Islamic conquerors in the 9th Century .

Note: Unfortunately, most of these historical sites were severely damaged by two decades of war and armed conflicts in Afghanistan.