Bamiyan

Mountain region of central Afghanistan that reminded Harry of northern Pakistan’s beauty — with grimmer landmarks: the “City of Screams”, named for Genghis Khan’s massacre of its inhabitants; seven rusting tanks from the Soviet-era Russian base; and the niches of the 7th-century Buddha statues, once Afghanistan’s number-one sight, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001 and now held up by scaffolding. The Buddhas date from Bamiyan’s days on the Silk Road trade route between China and Europe.

What Harry did

Toured the City of Screams and climbed on the old Russian tanks, visited Afghanistan’s only women’s market — where he was careful not to ask or film anything that could endanger the women — watched dressmakers at work, stood before the destroyed Buddha niches, bought a goat (named “Messi”) for 4,000, about $40, for a planned peace-making feast with the Taliban (they accepted, then cancelled last-minute), and shared the goat feast in a beautiful natural spot anyway. Here he also met Muhammad, who runs four donation-funded schools, and gave $2,000 toward them.

Practical facts

• Women’s opportunities vary sharply by province; in Bamiyan women work and more children attend school than elsewhere Harry visited.
• A goat cost 4,000, about $40 — Harry expected closer to $100.
• Haggling is normal (Harry settled a market purchase at 300 (from video – unverified)).
• Filming women, or asking them pointed questions on camera, can put them in danger — Harry deliberately held back.

Harry’s tips

• Bamiyan is the closest Afghanistan gets to a conventional natural-beauty-and-history destination — prioritise it.
• Visit the women’s market respectfully: buy, chat through your guide, keep the camera careful.

Source

• 7 Days in the Most Dangerous Country in the World 🇦🇫 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFVJx6BZ_Y