Afghanistan - Bamyan
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Bamyan (بامیان), Afghanistan
Bamyan is the capital of Bamyan Province that is located about 240 kilometres west of Kabul. Bamyan is the largest province in the Hazarajat region of Afghanistan. It is the cultural capital of the Hazara ethnic group. The Hazaras are native to the mountainous region of Hazarajat in central Afghanistan. The Hazaras are the third-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan.
The city of Bamyan is located at an altitude of about 2540 meters with a population of around 100 000.
Darya Ajdahar (Dragon Valley), Bamyan.
Darya Ajdahar village, (Dragon Valley) Bamyan.
The new village of Ajdahar lies at the head of the valley, built by the UN (UNHCR) for Hazara returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
Under the 1996-2001 Taliban rule Hazaras were targets of many attacks and harsh persecution. During the Taliban years many Hazaras left Afghanistan for neighboring countries to escape persecution and even death. As Bamyan has become more stable some of them have returned home.
A old Russian tank in Bamyan painted by a local artist.
Sang-Chaspan area in Bamyan.
Houses at the other side of the valley in Bamyam.
Sang-Chaspan area in Bamyan.
One of the two main Buddha caves in Bamyan.
The caves held statues of Gautama Buddha carved into the side of a cliff in the 6th-century. The statues were dynamited and destroyed starting in March 2001 by the Taliban, on orders from leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, after the Taliban government declared that they were idols.
Bamyan view in the early morning.
Band-e-Zulfiqar lake, one of the Band-e Amir lakes (بند امیر).
There are six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams. The lakes are located north-west of Bamyen at around 3000 m of elevation. Band-e Amir was Afghanistans first national park (2009). Band e Amir has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
Band-e-Haibat lake, one of the Band-e Amir lakes (بند امیر).
There are six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams. The lakes are located north-west of Bamyen at around 3000 m of elevation. Band-e Amir was Afghanistans first national park (2009). Band e Amir has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
Band-e-Zulfiqar lake, one of the Band-e Amir lakes (بند امیر).
There are six deep blue lakes separated by natural dams. The lakes are located north-west of Bamyen at around 3000 m of elevation. Band-e Amir was Afghanistans first national park (2009). Band e Amir has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
Camp near Band-e Amir. It is possible to buy "krut" (dried yoghurt made into balls).
Bamyan view in the evening.
Boys with bicycles passing by one of Buddha caves in Bamyan.
A small shop in the Surkhqul area in Bamyan.
A small shop in the Surkhqul area in Bamyan.
A small shop in the Surkhqul area in Bamyan.
Going home in the evening, near the Sang-Chaspan area in Bamyan.
Riding home in the evening, near the Sang-Chaspan area in Bamyan.
Evening, near the Sang-Chaspan area of Bamyan.
Early morning, Zargaran area.
Kids playing, early morning Zargaran area of Bamyan.
Bread shop, early morning Zargaran area of Bamyan.
Girls on donkey, Foladi Valley near Bamyan.
Foladi valley view (near Bamyan).
Around 3300 meters of altitude, while the Shah Foladi peak rises to 5050 meters above sea level.
Foladi valley farmer (near Bamyan).
Around 3300 meters of altitude, while the Shah Foladi peak rises to 5050 meters above sea level.
Foladi valley farmers (near Bamyan).
Around 3300 meters of altitude, while the Shah Foladi peak rises to 5050 meters above sea level.
Foladi valley farmer (near Bamyan).
Around 3300 meters of altitude, while the Shah Foladi peak rises to 5050 meters above sea level.
Evening in the Sang-Chaspan area of Bamyan.
Evening in the Sang-Chaspan area of Bamyan.
Bringing the goats back home in the evening. Sang-Chaspan area of Bamyan.
Carrying water back home in the evening. Sang-Chaspan area of Bamyan.
Going home in the evening, near the Sang-Chaspan area in Bamyan.
A family living in one of the the small caves near the Buddha caves of Bamyan.
Farm workers near Jawqul (south-east of Bamyan).
The Wardak Province also called Wardag or simply Wardak, is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
Butcher shop in Bamyan.
Shopkeeper, Bamyan bazaar.
Shopkeeper, Bamyan bazaar.
Shopkeeper, Bamyan bazaar.
Early morning view from Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams), Bamyan.
Early morning view from Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams), Bamyan.