Tourism in Afghanistan: Difference between revisions
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Afghan embassies issue between 15,000 and 20,000 tourist visas annually, but not all of those visas represent tourists visiting the country. One tour operator estimates that only 100 to 150 "pure tourists" visit every year.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/world/asia/taliban-targets-tourists-but-some-still-visit-afghanistan.html?pagewanted=all Despite Taliban Threat, Afghanistan Manages to Entice Some Tourists]</ref> |
Afghan embassies issue between 15,000 and 20,000 tourist visas annually, but not all of those visas represent tourists visiting the country. One tour operator estimates that only 100 to 150 "pure tourists" visit every year.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/world/asia/taliban-targets-tourists-but-some-still-visit-afghanistan.html?pagewanted=all Despite Taliban Threat, Afghanistan Manages to Entice Some Tourists]</ref> |
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==Places== |
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==Indus Valley Civilisation cities== |
===Indus Valley Civilisation cities=== |
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The [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] (IVC) was a [[Bronze Age]] civilisation (3300-1300 BCE; mature period 2600-1900 BCE) extending from what today is northwest [[Pakistan]] to northwest [[India]] and northeast Afghanistan.<ref name="The Ancient Indus pp.1"/> An Indus Valley site has been found on the [[Oxus River]] at [[Shortugai]] in northern Afghanistan.<ref>Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark (1998). Ancient cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. pp.96</ref> Apart from Shortughai tourists can visit [[Mundigak]] which is another notable site. |
The [[Indus Valley Civilisation]] (IVC) was a [[Bronze Age]] civilisation (3300-1300 BCE; mature period 2600-1900 BCE) extending from what today is northwest [[Pakistan]] to northwest [[India]] and northeast Afghanistan.<ref name="The Ancient Indus pp.1"/> An Indus Valley site has been found on the [[Oxus River]] at [[Shortugai]] in northern Afghanistan.<ref>Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark (1998). Ancient cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. pp.96</ref> Apart from Shortughai tourists can visit [[Mundigak]] which is another notable site. |
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==National Museum of Afghanistan== |
===National Museum of Afghanistan=== |
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[[File:National museum of Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|upright|National museum of Afghanistan.]] |
[[File:National museum of Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|upright|National museum of Afghanistan.]] |
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The museums collection had earlier been one of the most important in [[Central Asia]],<ref name=Essential>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor=Girardet, Edward and Jonathan Walter, eds.|others= |title= Afghanistan|year=1998 |month= |url= |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |publisher= CROSSLINES Communications, Ltd. |location=Geneva |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=|page= 291 }}</ref> with over 100,000 items dating back several millennia. With the start of the civil war in 1992, the museum was looted numerous times resulting in a loss of 70% of the 100,000 objects on display.<ref name=bbcmarch2011/> Since 2007, a number of international organizations have helped to recover over 8,000 artifacts, the most recent being a limestone sculpture from [[Germany]].<ref name="Germany returns Afghan sculpture">(31 January 2012) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16811062 Germany returns Afghan sculpture] bbc.co.uk/news/</ref> Approximately 843 artifacts were returned by the [[United Kingdom]] in 2012, including the famous 1st Century Bagram Ivories.<ref name="Looted art returned to Afghanistan">(19 July 2012) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18901966 Looted art returned to Afghanistan], bbc.co.uk</ref> |
The museums collection had earlier been one of the most important in [[Central Asia]],<ref name=Essential>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor=Girardet, Edward and Jonathan Walter, eds.|others= |title= Afghanistan|year=1998 |month= |url= |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |publisher= CROSSLINES Communications, Ltd. |location=Geneva |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote=|page= 291 }}</ref> with over 100,000 items dating back several millennia. With the start of the civil war in 1992, the museum was looted numerous times resulting in a loss of 70% of the 100,000 objects on display.<ref name=bbcmarch2011/> Since 2007, a number of international organizations have helped to recover over 8,000 artifacts, the most recent being a limestone sculpture from [[Germany]].<ref name="Germany returns Afghan sculpture">(31 January 2012) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16811062 Germany returns Afghan sculpture] bbc.co.uk/news/</ref> Approximately 843 artifacts were returned by the [[United Kingdom]] in 2012, including the famous 1st Century Bagram Ivories.<ref name="Looted art returned to Afghanistan">(19 July 2012) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18901966 Looted art returned to Afghanistan], bbc.co.uk</ref> |
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==Babur Gardens== |
===Babur Gardens=== |
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[[File:Babur Gardens in May 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Babur Gardens.]] |
[[File:Babur Gardens in May 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|Babur Gardens.]] |
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The Gardens of Babur is a historic park in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]], and also the last resting-place of the first [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Babur]]. The gardens are thought to have been developed around 1528 AD (935 AH) when Babur gave orders for the construction of an ‘avenue garden’ in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the [[Baburnama]]. Lonely Planet describes the park as ''the loveliest spot in |
The Gardens of Babur is a historic park in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]], and also the last resting-place of the first [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Babur]]. The gardens are thought to have been developed around 1528 AD (935 AH) when Babur gave orders for the construction of an ‘avenue garden’ in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the [[Baburnama]]. Lonely Planet describes the park as ''the loveliest spot in |
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Kabul''.<ref>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/afghanistan/kabul/sights/parks-gardens/babur-s-gardens</ref> |
Kabul''.<ref>http://www.lonelyplanet.com/afghanistan/kabul/sights/parks-gardens/babur-s-gardens</ref> |
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==The Kabul Zoo== |
===The Kabul Zoo=== |
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Another place of interest is the Kabul Zoo. It is located in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]], on the bank of the [[Kabul River]]. {{asof|2010}}, the zoo has about 280 animals, which includes 45 species of birds and mammals and 36 species of fish.<ref name="LAT">[http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/pets/story/1B2D5FD5D86DEF1A862576A100112A48?OpenDocument Kabul Zoo provides a haven for humans] by Tony Perry of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', January 7, 2010.</ref> Among the animals there are two lions (who replaced [[Marjan (lion)|Marjan]] after his death in 2002) and [[Khanzir|Afghanistan's only pig]]. As many as 10,000 people visit during the weekends. |
Another place of interest is the Kabul Zoo. It is located in [[Kabul]], [[Afghanistan]], on the bank of the [[Kabul River]]. {{asof|2010}}, the zoo has about 280 animals, which includes 45 species of birds and mammals and 36 species of fish.<ref name="LAT">[http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/pets/story/1B2D5FD5D86DEF1A862576A100112A48?OpenDocument Kabul Zoo provides a haven for humans] by Tony Perry of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', January 7, 2010.</ref> Among the animals there are two lions (who replaced [[Marjan (lion)|Marjan]] after his death in 2002) and [[Khanzir|Afghanistan's only pig]]. As many as 10,000 people visit during the weekends. |
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Revision as of 16:30, 30 October 2015
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2011) |
The tourism industry of Afghanistan, developed with government help in the early 1970s, has been negligible since 1979 due to internal political instability. A passport and visa are required for entrance into Afghanistan. In 1999, the UN estimated the daily cost of staying in Kabul at $70 USD. Approximately 61% of these costs were estimated to be the price of a room in a guesthouse. It also has a high rate for hotels. Travel was highly restricted in the country due to the US-led campaign against the Taliban and al-Qaeda
Afghan embassies issue between 15,000 and 20,000 tourist visas annually, but not all of those visas represent tourists visiting the country. One tour operator estimates that only 100 to 150 "pure tourists" visit every year.[1]
Places
Indus Valley Civilisation cities
The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilisation (3300-1300 BCE; mature period 2600-1900 BCE) extending from what today is northwest Pakistan to northwest India and northeast Afghanistan.[2] An Indus Valley site has been found on the Oxus River at Shortugai in northern Afghanistan.[3] Apart from Shortughai tourists can visit Mundigak which is another notable site.
National Museum of Afghanistan
The museums collection had earlier been one of the most important in Central Asia,[4] with over 100,000 items dating back several millennia. With the start of the civil war in 1992, the museum was looted numerous times resulting in a loss of 70% of the 100,000 objects on display.[5] Since 2007, a number of international organizations have helped to recover over 8,000 artifacts, the most recent being a limestone sculpture from Germany.[6] Approximately 843 artifacts were returned by the United Kingdom in 2012, including the famous 1st Century Bagram Ivories.[7]
Babur Gardens
The Gardens of Babur is a historic park in Kabul, Afghanistan, and also the last resting-place of the first Mughal emperor Babur. The gardens are thought to have been developed around 1528 AD (935 AH) when Babur gave orders for the construction of an ‘avenue garden’ in Kabul, described in some detail in his memoirs, the Baburnama. Lonely Planet describes the park as the loveliest spot in Kabul.[8]
The Kabul Zoo
Another place of interest is the Kabul Zoo. It is located in Kabul, Afghanistan, on the bank of the Kabul River. As of 2010[update], the zoo has about 280 animals, which includes 45 species of birds and mammals and 36 species of fish.[9] Among the animals there are two lions (who replaced Marjan after his death in 2002) and Afghanistan's only pig. As many as 10,000 people visit during the weekends.
References
- ^ Despite Taliban Threat, Afghanistan Manages to Entice Some Tourists
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
The Ancient Indus pp.1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Kenoyer, Jonathan Mark (1998). Ancient cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation. pp.96
- ^ Girardet, Edward and Jonathan Walter, eds., ed. (1998). Afghanistan. Geneva: CROSSLINES Communications, Ltd. p. 291.
{{cite book}}:|editor=has generic name (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=,|chapterurl=, and|coauthors=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
bbcmarch2011was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ (31 January 2012) Germany returns Afghan sculpture bbc.co.uk/news/
- ^ (19 July 2012) Looted art returned to Afghanistan, bbc.co.uk
- ^ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/afghanistan/kabul/sights/parks-gardens/babur-s-gardens
- ^ Kabul Zoo provides a haven for humans by Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times, January 7, 2010.
See also
External links
- Afghanistan's bid to boost tourism BBC News, August 22, 2011
- [1] Afghan Directory - tourism companies, airlines, media, embassies
- [2] Afghani local tourism agency ; "Let's be friends - Afghanistan"
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