---
type: Place
title: Bamiyan
description: Mountain valley of the destroyed Buddha statues, the City of Screams, Russian tanks, and Afghanistan's only women's market.
tags: [bamiyan, afghanistan, buddhas, history, mountains]
coordinates: {lat: 34.7500, lng: 67.2500}
timestamp: 2026-07-12T12:00:00Z
---

# Bamiyan

Mountain region of central [Afghanistan](/countries/afghanistan.md) 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 🇦🇫](/videos/IXFVJx6BZ_Y.md) —
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFVJx6BZ_Y