Kathmandu : The Bamiyan region of Afghanistan has been trying to establish itself as a tourist hub. Hundreds of tourists visit this region, which is situated at an elevation of around 3,000 meters above sea level and is home to six natural lakes.
Renowned for its rich Buddhist culture and captivating landscapes, the central Bamiyan province had faced destruction and devastation during the decade-long war and civil conflict.
However, with numerous historical landmarks and high-altitude terrain in a war-torn country returning to peace, it has once again become a center of attraction for tourists. But in this region, the Taliban had destroyed an ancient Buddha statue.
“I came here from Mazar-e-Sharif city. The weather was hot and arid, with a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius. It was quite an experience,” said Afghan tourist Habibullah Mirzad.
Accompanied by the Band-e-Amir lakes, Mirzad expressed happiness, saying, “Among our destinations, there was beautiful scenery in Bamiyan.”
Afghan tourists also showed happiness over the return of peace in their war-torn country. “The security situation is good, and we did not face any security issues,” they said.
The warm climate in Bamiyan adds to the enjoyment of tourists as they appreciate the natural beauty and the enchanting Band-e-Amir lakes.
“I have come from Sari Pul district, where it is also quite hot. Currently, the temperature ranges from 39 to 40 degrees Celsius,” said another internal tourist, Abdul Basir.
“Our Bamiyan trip is focused on enjoying nature, especially the Band-e-Amir lakes,” Basir added.
According to officials, the number of internal and external tourists visiting Bamiyan has been consistently increasing over the last two years.
“Approximately 1,200 foreign tourists have registered their names for visiting Bamiyan, and out of them, around 700 have purchased tickets to visit the remaining 9/11 Buddha statues,” said Mohammad Deen Mofleh, the regional head of Bamiyan’s tourism department.
Mofleh revealed that since June 29, nearly 70,000 tourists have visited Bamiyan as of Eid al-Adha.