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 Bamiyan is located in Hindukush Mountain Range, altitude of 2,500m. It has Koh-e-KhwahaGhar Mountain range (branch of Hindukush) in the north and Koh-e-Baba in the south, a valley surrounded by mountains.
From April to October is the best time to visit Bamiyan. In May, Jun, July, you will see flowers in the valley and alpine flower in the place above 3,000m. From October to November is beautiful with red and yellow autumn colored leaves. From end of November till end of March, this area is covered by snow.
How to get to Bamiyan
 Via Shibar Pass
(North Route, Ghorband Valley Route) 246 Km
You will reach to Bamiyan by this route in 6 to 8 hours. From Kabul up
to Pul-i-Mattak is paved road, and rest is all unpaved till Bamiyan. You
will drive along the Ghorband Valley and cross Shibar Pass (Alt: 3,000m)
where the watershed of Oxus and Indus river is. When you meet Shahr-i-Zohak
which is located in entrance of Bamiyan valley, it takes another 50min
to center of Bamiyan city.
Via Hajigak Route (South Route) 180Km
This route takes you to Bamiyan in 5 to 7 hours. From Maidanshar (South
of Kabul), turn west direction. You will cross Unai Pass(alt: 3,200 m),
Hajigak Pass(alt: 3,450m) and join Bamiyan valley at Shahar-i-Zohak.
Road is unpaved from Maidanshar up to Bamiyan. Security condition of
this route is unstable, while lot of traffic on this route. Be careful
enough and correct security information before taking this route. At the
time of writing (Jan, 2006), This route is not recommendable.
By Air
30 min flight from Kabul to Bamiyan Airport. Seats are available only
for peple who works for international organization like UN and humanitarian
aid service, not for normal visitors.
(Right photo : View of Bamiyan Airport ) |
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What to see in BAMIYAN
Bamiyan had it's status as Crossroads of Silkroad since ancient time.
It has Balkh in the North, Kandahar and Gazni in the South, Kabul and Shomali
plain in the East and Herat in the West.
Bamiyan has many archeological site, suchs as Buddhist caves and Islamic
ruins.
Before your visit, get the latest information of land mine existence at
the site.
Bamiyan Caves Shahr-i-Zohak Shahr-i-Gholgora
Foladi Caves Kakrak Caves Dragon Valley Band-i-Amir
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Bamiyan Caves
Bamiyan caves was built in cliff of northern face of mountain range. it
spread in 1,300 m to east and west, contains around 750 caves. Famous
West Buddha(55m) and East Buddha(38m) which was destroyed by Taliban in
March 2001 are in among these 750 caves. This site has been listed on Unesco's
world Heritage site since 2003. Restoration and preservation work is going
on by UNESCO and archeologists team. Some of the caves of East Buddha can
be visited. You can see wall painting and ceiling decorations.
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1,300m length Bamiyan caves view. West Buddha cave in the left, East Buddha
cave in the right.
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Destroyed West Buddha |
East Buddha cave No.165（C1)
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East Buddha
cave No.167（D）
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Shahr-i-Zohak
17Km East of Bamiyan city, located in entry and exit point of Bamiyan valley, at confluence of Bamiyan and Kalu
river. This is remain of fortress which is dated back to 12 Century A.D.,
Shansabani dynasty (time of Genghis Khan
invasion). Even during recent war, it was used as a strategic point and still some parts are heavily land mined.
For traveler, who come through Ghorband valley, it is the first monument to see in Bamiyan. By the time of sunset, it shows magnificent red color
as it has another
name of "Red city". |
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 Shahr-i-Gholghola
It is remain of Fortress called "City of Noise". It was a fortress
of 12 century A.D. Shansabani dynasty, but totally destroyed by Genghis
Khan invasion in 1221. Genghis Khan's Army did massacre, no one survived.
This is the reason why people call "City of Noise", Scream of
these victims.
There is an Afghan guard watch point in the top of Shar-i-Ghorghola. You
will see North and South part of Bamiyan valley from the top.
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Foladi Caves
Foladi caves are located in west of Bamiyan city along the Foladi river.
It has around 50 caves. It was destroyed by recent war, but still beautiful
ceiling ornament such as "Laternendecke" "squinch arch"
can be seen.
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 Kakrak Caves
Kakrak Cave is located 6Km southeast of Bamiyan city. Once it had 21 feet
standing Buddha, but destroyed by Taliban at the same time of destruction
of East and West Buddha.
There is also watch tower from Islamic period. |
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 Dragan Valley
9 Km southwest from Bamiyan city. It has a legend of Hazrat Ali. The legend
says when a girl was dedicated to Dragon for sacrifice, a man(Hazrat Ali)
fought and tore up the Dragon in two.The Dragon had regret to cry with
tear. This tear represent " Natural Spring" in this valley.
Nowadays, new house construction is booming in this valley to accommodate "return refugees".
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Band-i-Amir
75Km west of Bamiyan. Band-i-Amir means "King of Dams", it consists
of 5-6 lakes in altitude of 3,000m. You reach to Band-i-Amir, through
beautiful Shahidan Pass. You will see alpine flower and Shepard, Nomad
in summer time.
Ｃｅｎｔｅｒ of Band-i-Amir is Bande Haibat which has shrine of Hazrat Ali.
Local pilgrimage visit here.
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Band-i-Haibat Hazrat-Ali shrine
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Band-i-Panir Hazra people in Shahidan Pass
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