Overview:

Bande Amir is a series of six lakes located in the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan. The area was designated a National Park in 2008 and is considered an important conservation and tourist area. The lakes are located in the Hindu Kush mountain range at elevations of between 3,400 and 3,600 meters above sea level. The lakes are separated by natural dams and are fed by snow and glaciers. The lake waters are a deep cobalt blue and the lakes are the deepest in Afghanistan. The area is home to numerous species of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals. Band-e Amir also serves as an important cultural heritage site with several archaeological sites such as Buddhas and monasteries located in the area. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Afghanistan
Prominent Features:

1. Band-e Amir National Park: Located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, Band-e Amir National Park is known for its six deep blue lakes, dozens of streams and waterfalls, and vivid limestone formations. It was declared Afghanistan’s first national park in 2009 and was also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. 2. Bamyan Valley: Located in the central highlands of Afghanistan, the Bamyan Valley is a beautiful landscape of snow-capped mountains, valleys, and green meadows. Popular attractions include the Bamyan Buddhas, a pair of ancient sandstone statues of Buddha, and Shahr-e Zohak, a former Silk Road fortress from the 9th century. 3. Hazarajat region: A mountainous region known for its scenic views, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, the Hazarajat region is located in the central highlands of Afghanistan. The region is home to the Hazara ethnic group and is known for its two popular lakes, Band-e Amir and Band-e Azim. 4. Ancient city of Balkh: Situated about 85 miles (137 km) northwest of Kabul, Balkh is one of the most ancient cities in Afghanistan. It is known for its historical monuments, a large citadel, an ancient fort, and several Buddhist stupas. The city is the capital of Balkh province and is also known as the "Mother of Cities." You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Afghanistan.

History:

Band-e Amir, located in central Afghanistan, is a series of six crystalline blue lakes framed by calcite-rich cliffs and surrounded by an endless abyss of sandstone cliffs and landscapes. The protected area which was Afghanistan's first national park offers a spectacular river canyon and complex system of caves dating back to the Stone Age. It was formerly part of the Bamyan Province, but, in 2012, it was upgraded to its own district. The area was mentioned by Buddhist monks as early as the 7th century. The area became a site of pilgrimage for Buddhists in the region. The caves located in Band-e Amir contain ancient Buddhist scriptures. The lakes were thought to represent the eyes of the Buddha and the surrounding area is home to several monasteries. In 2008, Band-e Amir was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, for its unique evidence of cultural and natural heritage. The area has a long history of human habitation, stretching back to the Stone Age. During the 13th century, the area was claimed by local Muslim rulers, and underwent a series of battles. In the 15th century, the region was conquered by the Timurid Empire, and the lakes were used by Timurid and Mughal troops to bring water to nearby towns. In recent years, the area has attracted attention from the international community due to the ongoing conflict and intense fighting in the region. In 2005, the Afghan government signed an agreement to protect the Band-e Amir area as a National Park. The Afghan government, alongside international organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and UNESCO, have since been attempting to restore the lakes and the surrounding area in order to protect the local ecosystem and biodiversity. In 2020, a 3D map of the Band-e Amir region was revealed by the Ministry of Information and Culture. The map, completed by the Information Technology Institute with the help of the Institute of Geology at Kabul University, is intended as an educational tool for locals and visitors of the Band-e Amir National Park. The new map reveals the stunning beauty of the area in full detail. Visit one of the famous monuments of Afghanistan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Band-e Amir is Afghanistan’s first national park, declared as such in 2008. 2. The area is home to some of the oldest and most impressive rock formations in the world, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3. Band-e Amir is filled with stunning turquoise lakes, some of which have never been explored before. 4. The park is located in the Bamiyan Valley, a province in the central highlands eastern Afghanistan. 5. It is home to the world’s largest mud volcano, which form features resembling those of the Grand Canyon in the United States. 6. The park also provides a habitat for endangered species of birds, including the endangered northern bald ibis. 7. The area is the site of several Buddhist monuments, including the world famous Buddhas of Bamiyan. 8. The main attraction of the park is the Shaikhan, or “Lion Rocks”, which are located at the end of the valley near the village of Band-e Amir village. 9. The landscape of the park is a mixture of grassy plains and rocky outcrops, providing visitors with a unique landscape to explore. 10. Band-e Amir is also known for its hot springs, which are believed to have therapeutic and healing properties. One of the historical monuments of Afghanistan, it tells the story of a bygone era