Introduction
1.) General Information
2.) Places to Visit
3.) Visas and Customs
4.) Accommodation
5.) Transportation
6.) Travel Agencies and Tourism
7.) Banks
8.) Shopping
9.) Restaurants in Kabul
10.) Internet Access
11.) Mobile Phones
12.) Beauty Salons and Dry Cleaning
13.) Shipping Outlets
“Afghanistan has been my
yardstick for judging every country I go to—for beauty
of
landscape, of people, of hospitality.”
--Elizabeth Chatwin, introduction author of
Afghanistan: A Traveler’s Companion and Guide
Whether for business or pleasure, Afghanistan
offers countless adventures to the curious traveler.
From bicycle trips and boat rides, to museums
and shopping, to overland trips through breathtaking mountain
terrain, an Afghanistan experience promises to delight and inspire.
For a taste of Afghanistan, consider the Gardens
of Babur and accompanying museum. For one of the oldest and
most stunning sights, one could visit the ancient walls of the
citadel Balai Hissar. The Valley of Paghman, an hour by road
west of Kabul and, to the north, the gardens of Karez-i-Amir
or a bit farther to Charikar are all well worth the visit. For
those who make the journey, the mountains, valleys, and lakes
provide dramatic scenery. Consisting of two huge mountain ranges,
the Hindu Kush is a wild and remote region. Although traveling
by car is possible, the Hindu Kush is best left for travelers
prepared to rough it.
Ghazni, one of the central provinces, hosts many
tombs of noted poets and scientists, such as Al-Biruni. The
Bamiyan valley is lined with cave dwellings cut out of the cliffs
by Buddhist monks. While the statues were destroyed by the Taliban,
their enormous outlines remain one of the most visited sights
in Central Asia. The area also has grottoes decorated with wall
paintings in Greco-Buddhist styles. The Red City (Shahr-i-Zahak),
11 miles from Bamiyan, is home to the remains of another ancient
citadel. The Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is
located in Ghowr province. Ghowr was also the centre of the
Ghurid dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. The remains of
their capital Firuzkuh promises an unforgettable journey.
Afghanistan is an exciting place to be. Its eye-opening
experiences and breathtaking sights can change a visitor's life.
Regardless of how or with whom you come, traveling to Afghanistan
is guaranteed to lead to a new adventure every step of the way.
Recommended Reading:
New York Times Travel Guide to Kabul
Afghanistan: A Traveler’s Companion and
Guide by Matthew Leeming and Bijon Omrani, June 2005. Available
online at http://www.odysseypublications.com/publication.asp?publicationID=35.
An Historical Guide to Afghanistan, by Nancy Hatch Dupree, 1977.
Internet version available at http://www.zharov.com/dupree/prefaces.html.
