Tehran- IRAF- Seyyed Ahmad Zia Kazemi, Head of Bamyan’s Tourism Department, announced that the province welcomed more than 517,000 visitors last year, showing a 2.5-fold growth compared to the year before.
He stated that despite the significant increase in visitor numbers, the province continues to face numerous challenges in the tourism sector.
Kazemi added that among the key problems are damaged roads leading to historical sites, a shortage of professional tour guides, and the lack of adequate welfare and hospitality facilities.
With its valuable ancient heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes, Bamyan is considered one of Afghanistan’s most important tourism hubs.
However, according to local officials, the Taliban’s limited attention to infrastructure development has prevented the full utilization of these capacities.
Local residents of Bamyan have also called for improvements to road conditions and the establishment of standard tourism services in the region.
They believe that investing in such infrastructure could create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the province.
Bamyan’s Historical and Cultural Landmarks Attract Domestic and Foreign Tourists
Bamyan is internationally renowned for its rich historical heritage. Among its most notable historical sites are the two Buddha statues, Shahr-e Gholghola (City of Screams), Shahr-e Zahhak, Qala-e Kafari, Qala-e Gohar Gin, Shahr-e Barbar, the historic Chehel Borj monument, and Qala Allah Dad — eight major landmarks that attract hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists annually.
Band-e Amir, a natural lake system, is considered both a recreational and pilgrimage destination, drawing large numbers of visitors during the spring and summer seasons.
Despite its unparalleled historical monuments and tourism attractions, Bamyan has not received adequate attention from successive Afghan governments. Many of its ancient structures are exposed to destruction due to natural factors such as snow, rain, and flooding, as well as human factors, including illegal excavations carried out for personal gain.
