Bamiyan Sees Over 150,000 Tourists in First Half of the year, Showcasing Natural and Historical Wonders

In a promising sign of growth, Bamiyan tourism numbers, welcomed over 150,000 tourists, according to Safiullah Raed, the head of Information and Culture in Bamiyan. Of these visitors, 3,000, including international travelers, came to explore Bamiyan’s renowned historical sites, while the majority enjoyed its stunning natural landscapes.

Bamiyan Tourism

Bamiyan has long been a significant cultural and historical center in Afghanistan, famed for its ancient heritage and natural beauty. The province is home to the UNESCO in Afghanistan listed site of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, which stood as monumental statues until they were destroyed in 2001. However, the area still draws countless visitors eager to learn about its rich past and explore the surrounding landscapes, including the breathtaking Band-e Amir National Park.

Tourists have reported positive experiences, with many praising the safety and hospitality found along the routes to Bamiyan. “No one faces any problems along the Bamiyanroutes. Everyone enjoys the hospitality and friendliness, as well as the natural attractions of Bamiyan,” said Fawad Majboor, a resident of Kabul.

Bamiyan City

Nestled in the heart of Afghanistan, Bamiyan City is a jewel of history and natural charm. As one of Afghanistan’s most visited locations, Bamiyan is renowned for both its ancient heritage and stunning landscapes, making it a favorite destination for travelers, particularly during the warmer months.

Bamiyan’s cultural and historical significance, coupled with its natural surroundings, draws thousands of visitors each year. Among its many attractions, the Buddhas of Bamiyan once stood as colossal monuments that symbolized the region’s rich Buddhist past. Today, despite their destruction, Bamiyan remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Afghanistan, attracting history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

Band-e Amir National Park

Among Bamiyan’s natural attractions, Band-e Amir National Park stands out as one of the most visited. Known for its seven dazzling lakes, the park is a favorite destination, especially during the spring and summer months. The park’s picturesque beauty draws tourists from near and far, making it one of Afghanistan’s most iconic natural wonders.

Many local families rely on the influx of tourists for their livelihoods, running small businesses that cater to visitors. Residents around Band-e Amir earn a significant portion of their income by offering various services in the park, from guiding tours to selling local products. As tourism grows, so does the positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and new opportunities.

Bamiyan Brief Timeline

• 6th Century: Bamiyan becomes famous for the Buddhas of Bamiyan, two enormous statues carved into cliffs, representing the rich Buddhist heritage of the region.
• 2001: The Buddhas of Bamiyan were destroyed, yet the area remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors interested in Afghanistan’s cultural legacy.
• 2009: Band-e Amir National Park is established as the first national park in Afghanistan, protecting the area’s natural beauty and offering a stunning attraction for tourists.

The Future of Tourism in Bamiyan

Despite the challenges, such as the need for infrastructure improvements like repairing the road to Band-e Amir, the overall growth of tourism has been a positive sign for Bamiyan. Visitors have expressed hope that the government will continue to invest in the region, ensuring that its historical and natural treasures remain accessible and enjoyable.

As more tourists discover Bamiyan’s unique blend of culture and nature, the province continues to emerge as one of Afghanistan’s most beloved destinations. Whether visiting for its ancient history or serene landscapes, Bamiyan offers an unforgettable experience for all.

Planning your visit? Read our complete guide to travelling to Afghanistan for visa requirements, flights, and practical tips — and apply via our Afghanistan e-Visa guide.

Afghanistan is one of the great economic stories waiting to be told. Sitting at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East — with over $1 trillion in untapped mineral wealth, a young and growing population of 44 million, and a string of transformative infrastructure projects now in active construction — the country is building the foundations for a generation of growth. From record export figures to major foreign investment deals, 2024–2027 marks a genuine turning point for the Afghan economy.

Afghanistan’s Economic Sectors

Afghanistan’s economy is diversifying across three broad pillars — agriculture, services, and industry — with each sector showing positive momentum. Agriculture underpins rural livelihoods, services drive urban commerce, and a growing industrial base anchored by mining and manufacturing is beginning to unlock the country’s enormous natural resource endowment.

GDP Per Capita Growth — A Consistent Upward Story

From barely $233 in 2002, Afghanistan’s GDP per capita has grown over 170% in two decades despite extraordinary challenges. The post-2022 trajectory is particularly encouraging: four consecutive years of real growth at or above 3–4%, modest inflation of 5%, and a GDP that — measured at purchasing-power parity — now surpasses $101 billion. The country is building from a low base, but the direction is unambiguously upward.

Where the Money Is Coming From — Foreign Investment Flows

Afghanistan’s strategic position — at the meeting point of Central Asia, South Asia, Iran, and China — has made it increasingly attractive to regional investors. With over $1 trillion in untapped minerals, a gas pipeline that will generate transit revenues for decades, and new railway corridors unlocking landlocked trade, capital is flowing in from multiple directions. Here is where the money is coming from.

Afghanistan’s $1 Trillion Mineral Wealth

A joint Pentagon-USGS survey estimated Afghanistan’s untapped mineral reserves at over $1 trillion — a figure that, adjusted for inflation, could now be $1.5–1.7 trillion. These include world-class copper, iron, lithium, gold, and gemstone deposits. As infrastructure improves and investment deals are finalised, this underground wealth is set to become the engine of Afghanistan’s long-term prosperity.

What Afghanistan Exports — and Where It Goes

Afghanistan’s export base is remarkably diverse — from world-renowned saffron, pomegranates, and dried fruits to hand-knotted carpets, semi-precious stones, and medicinal herbs. With $2 billion in recorded exports annually and growing, and new trade routes via rail opening to China, Central Asia, and Europe, the export picture is brightening rapidly.

Afghanistan’s 2024–2027 economic momentum is being driven by a series of landmark infrastructure and resource deals. For a project-by-project timeline and status tracker — covering TAPI, Qosh Tepa, CASA-1000, Mes Aynak, Kamal Khan Dam, and the expanding rail network — see our Afghanistan Development Projects guide →

The Road Ahead — Economic Outlook for 2026–2027

The convergence of active infrastructure investment, mineral development, expanding trade routes, and a young population of 44 million creates the conditions for Afghanistan to sustain — and ultimately accelerate — its economic growth trajectory. Three drivers stand out for the near term:

Mineral revenues taking off. With the Mes Aynak road complete and contract talks advancing, with new copper and gold deposits discovered in Ghazni worth an estimated $30 billion, and with lithium deposits in Farah and Nimroz drawing increasing international attention, Afghanistan’s mining sector is transitioning from potential to production. Each new mine that becomes operational adds directly to government revenues, job creation, and export earnings.

Trade routes multiplying. The Khaf–Herat railway completing in 2026, the Chabahar–Zahedan line opening in 2027, and the TAPI pipeline advancing all mean that Afghanistan is becoming more connected to global markets every year. First Chinese rail freight already arrived in December 2024. Each new corridor reduces transport costs, expands the market for Afghan exports, and makes the country a more attractive destination for investment.

Agriculture modernising. The Qosh Tepa Canal alone could add hundreds of millions of dollars to agricultural output annually when fully operational. Combined with the Kamal Khan Dam and continued expansion of irrigation infrastructure, Afghanistan’s most important sector — which employs 44% of the workforce — is becoming more productive and more resilient to drought.

Afghanistan’s economy is not yet where it could be, but the trajectory is clear and the momentum is real. For investors, traders, and travellers alike, the country that is often described in terms of its past challenges is quietly — and with growing confidence — building a very different future.

Across 34 provinces, from the mountain valleys of Badakhshan to the pomegranate orchards of Kandahar, from the ancient bazaars of Herat to the high plateaus of Bamyan, Afghan women have always been the heart of their communities — as farmers, weavers, saffron harvesters, carpet makers, healers, and keepers of some of the world’s oldest living traditions. This is their story.

Afghanistan’s People — A Demographic Portrait

With a population of nearly 50 million growing at 2.85% per year and a median age below 20, Afghanistan is one of the youngest nations on the planet. Women and girls are woven into every layer of this extraordinary demographic tapestry — across ages, ethnicities, languages, and landscapes.

The Ethnic Mosaic — Who Are Afghanistan’s Women?

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries, with over 40 distinct groups each carrying their own language, dress, music, craft traditions, and oral heritage. Among the women of these communities, this diversity is perhaps most visibly and beautifully expressed — in the embroidery patterns of a Pashtun dress, the silk-weaving of a Tajik artisan, the blue-glazed tilework mastered in Herat, or the felt-making traditions of the Hazara highlands.

Province by Province — Women Across Afghanistan’s 34 Regions

Afghanistan’s 34 provinces each carry a distinct identity — shaped by geography, history, language, and livelihood. The women of each province are the living custodians of these identities, passing traditions forward through craft, agriculture, and community life. Here is a journey through the regions, highlighting what makes women’s lives and contributions in each area so remarkable.

The Crafts of Afghan Women — Living Traditions, Global Markets

Afghan women are among the world’s most accomplished textile artists. Hand-knotted carpets, silk embroidery, felt-making, and saffron cultivation are not merely crafts — they are living heritage industries that connect Afghan women to global markets, generate household income, and carry the aesthetic identity of their communities across generations. Many of these traditions are centuries old and uniquely Afghan.

Afghan Women Through History — A Timeline of Strength & Achievement

Afghan women have shaped their country’s story across centuries — as rulers, poets, warriors, scholars, and artisans. This timeline celebrates their contributions and the enduring thread of resilience and creativity that connects the women of ancient Balkh to those tending saffron fields in Herat today.

Meet Afghan Women — The Spirit of Every Province

Every region of Afghanistan tells a different story through its women. In the high passes of the Wakhan Corridor, Wakhi and Kyrgyz women tend yaks and weave elaborate felt rugs in communities that have existed for centuries almost unchanged. In the pomegranate orchards of Kandahar, women harvest fruit that will travel to markets in India, Pakistan, and the Gulf. In Herat’s ancient bazaar, artisans paint miniatures using techniques unchanged since the Timurid court. In Bamyan, women bring felt crafts to the Band-e-Amir lakeside market — increasingly visited by travellers returning to explore Afghanistan’s extraordinary natural beauty.

The women of Afghanistan are not defined by a single story. They are weavers and farmers, poets and merchants, healers and hosts — each one carrying the richness of one of the world’s most ancient and layered civilisations. For travellers visiting Afghanistan, encountering the warmth, creativity, and quiet strength of Afghan women in their home provinces is among the most profound experiences the country offers.

From new dams and energy sources to expanded road networks and mining ventures, these initiatives are critical to the nation’s long-term stability and growth. Here’s an overview of the most important projects slated for completion or expansion onwards.

For the macro picture — GDP growth, sector breakdown, mineral wealth, and foreign investment flows — see our Afghanistan Economy & GDP guide →

New & Expanded Development Projects (2024–2026)

Beyond the flagship national and Kabul projects, a new wave of large-scale infrastructure, energy, and trade initiatives has moved from planning to active construction across Afghanistan since 2024. From transcontinental pipelines and railway corridors to massive canal and mining projects, these developments are reshaping the country’s economic geography and its links to the wider region.

1. Qosh Tepa Canal – Turning Desert into Farmland

The Qosh Tepa Canal is one of the most ambitious engineering undertakings in Afghan history. Stretching 285 km through the northern provinces of Balkh, Jowzjan, and Faryab, it diverts water from the Amu Darya to transform up to 550,000 hectares of arid desert into irrigated farmland. Construction began in 2022, Phase 1 was completed in October 2023, and by December 2024 Phase 2 was 90% complete.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Complete Phase 2 and begin Phase 3; establish functioning irrigation systems for large-scale crop production in northern Afghanistan.

Importance: The canal could increase Afghanistan’s cultivated land by a third, dramatically boosting food security and agricultural exports in one of the country’s most underdeveloped regions.

Achievements Expected by 2026: Full operation of phases 1 and 2, delivering water to hundreds of thousands of hectares and supporting the livelihoods of communities across three northern provinces.

2. TAPI Gas Pipeline – Bringing Central Asian Energy to South Asia

The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) Pipeline is a $10 billion, 1,814 km natural gas pipeline running from the vast Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan through Herat and Kandahar in Afghanistan, then on to Pakistan and India. After years of delays, Afghanistan’s section officially began construction in September 2024. By early 2026, work was actively progressing through Herat Province, with completion to Herat city targeted by end of 2026.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Complete the Afghan section of the pipeline alongside the Kandahar–Herat Highway corridor, enabling natural gas transit and providing up to 5 billion cubic metres of gas annually to Afghanistan itself.

Importance: TAPI will give Afghanistan a reliable domestic gas supply while generating significant transit revenues — a transformative step for energy independence and economic growth.

Achievements Expected by 2026–2027: Completion of the Afghan section to Herat; first gas deliveries to Afghan consumers projected once the full route to Pakistan is operational.

3. CASA-1000 Power Transmission Project

The Central Asia–South Asia Power Project (CASA-1000) is a $1.2 billion electricity transmission initiative connecting the hydroelectric surplus of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. A 750 km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line runs through Kabul carrying up to 1,300 MW of electricity in total — Afghanistan’s initial allocation is up to 300 MW. By April 2025, the converter stations in Central Asia were complete, and as of late 2025, approximately 75% of the Afghan section had been finished.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Complete the remaining Afghan section of the HVDC line, connect it to Kabul’s grid, and allow Afghanistan to draw up to 300 MW of additional power from the existing 220 kV Tajikistan–Afghanistan line.

Importance: Afghanistan suffers chronic electricity shortages. CASA-1000 will significantly increase available power for homes, businesses, and industry — particularly in Kabul — reducing dependency on expensive diesel generators.

Achievements Expected by 2026: Full project completion and commencement of electricity imports, providing a stable, affordable power source for millions of Afghans.

4. Khaf–Herat Railway – Connecting Afghanistan to Iran and Europe

The Khaf–Herat Railway is a 225 km standard-gauge line linking Khaf in eastern Iran to the city of Herat, with 140 km of track running through Afghan territory. Freight operations began in July 2023, and in September 2024 work resumed on the critical fourth and final section connecting Rozanak to Herat’s industrial zone near the airport. Iranian officials confirmed in April 2025 that the full line is targeted for completion by March 2026.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Complete the fourth section of track into Herat; initiate passenger services between Mashhad and Herat; expand station capacity to handle increased cargo volume.

Importance: Completion of this railway will plug Afghanistan into the broader Eurasian rail network via Iran, enabling direct freight links to Turkey and European markets — and providing an alternative trade route that reduces dependency on Pakistani ports.

Achievements Expected by 2026: A fully operational rail corridor between Herat and Iran, with growing cargo volumes and the launch of the first scheduled passenger service between Mashhad and Herat.

5. Torghundi–Herat–Kandahar Railway Corridor

In September 2024, a $40 million project began to extend the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan railway southward from Torghundi toward Herat. This is the first phase of a far larger ambition: a railway running from Torghundi through Herat, Kandahar, and on to Spin Boldak at the Pakistani border. In April 2025, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan signed a protocol of intent for this full corridor, and in July 2025 Kazakhstan’s foreign minister signed a $500 million deal in Kabul supporting the 115–120 km Herat–Torghundi section.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Construct the initial Torghundi–Sangbor segment, advance feasibility studies for the Herat–Kandahar extension, and integrate fibre-optic communications and dry-port logistics along the route.

Importance: A north–south rail spine would fundamentally transform Afghanistan’s role as a transit hub, connecting Central Asian landlocked nations to South Asian markets through Afghan territory.

Achievements Expected by 2026–2027: Completion of the Torghundi–Sangbor section and commencement of construction on the longer Herat–Kandahar segment, laying the groundwork for Afghanistan’s future as a regional trade corridor.

6. Mes Aynak Copper Mine – Jumpstarting the Mining Sector

The Mes Aynak copper mine in Logar Province, awarded to China Metallurgical Group (MCC) under a 30-year lease, holds an estimated six million tonnes of copper — one of the largest untapped deposits on Earth. After more than a decade of delays, a significant milestone was reached in July 2024 when the road to the mine was formally inaugurated, signalling the start of serious preparatory infrastructure work.

Goals from 2024 Onwards: Complete access roads and supporting infrastructure; advance negotiations on revised mining contracts; begin preparatory earthworks and site development for eventual full-scale extraction.

Importance: Afghanistan’s mineral wealth is estimated at over $1 trillion. Mes Aynak alone could generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, create thousands of jobs, and fund generations of public investment if properly developed.

Achievements Expected by 2026: Finalisation of the updated mining contract, completion of site access infrastructure, and the commencement of initial extraction activities — marking the real beginning of Afghanistan’s mining economy. Planning a visit? Read our Mes Aynak day-trip guide →

7. Kamal Khan Dam – Phase 3 and Expanded Irrigation

The Kamal Khan Dam on the Helmand River in Nimruz Province completed its long-awaited third and final phase in February 2025. The dam provides up to 9 MW of hydroelectric power and, crucially, delivers irrigation water to approximately 175,000 hectares of agricultural land in the arid southwest of Afghanistan — one of the country’s most underdeveloped regions.

Goals from 2025 Onwards: Maximise irrigation coverage across Nimruz and Helmand provinces; expand the canal network to bring water to additional farmland; increase power output through improved turbine efficiency.

Importance: Nimruz Province borders both Iran and Pakistan and has historically suffered from extreme drought and underdevelopment. Kamal Khan is central to the region’s agricultural revival and economic integration.

Achievements Expected by 2026: Full operational capacity of all three phases delivering water and power across southwestern Afghanistan, supporting food security and reducing out-migration from the region.

8. Chabahar–Zahedan Railway – Afghanistan’s Gateway to the Indian Ocean

While not inside Afghanistan, the Chabahar–Zahedan Railway in Iran is a critical piece of infrastructure for Afghan trade. When completed, it will link the deep-water port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman to the Afghan border at Zaranj, giving Afghanistan its first practical Indian Ocean trade route outside Pakistani territory. By late October 2025, the project was 84% complete; by January 2026 the substructure was 96% done, with full construction expected by end of 2026 and operations beginning in June 2027.

Goals from 2025 Onwards: Complete track laying and station construction; link the Zahedan terminal to the Afghan border town of Zaranj; develop complementary dry-port and customs infrastructure on the Afghan side.

Importance: Chabahar gives Afghanistan a sanctions-compliant, Indian Ocean–facing trade corridor, reducing reliance on Karachi and opening direct shipping routes to India, East Africa, and beyond.

Achievements Expected by 2027: A fully operational rail link from Chabahar port to the Afghan border, with freight volumes expected to grow rapidly as Afghan exporters gain access to new global markets.

9. Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway Feasibility Study

In February 2026, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev formally decreed the launch of a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) Railway — a proposed line that would run from Uzbekistan south through Afghanistan to Pakistan’s port cities, potentially giving Central Asia its most direct access ever to warm-water ports. The study involves the governments of all three nations and reflects growing geopolitical momentum behind Afghanistan’s role as a north–south transit corridor.

Goals from 2026 Onwards: Complete the technical and economic feasibility study; identify a preferred route through Afghan territory; secure multilateral financing commitments from development banks and regional funds.

Importance: The UAP railway would be one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in Eurasian history, potentially generating billions in annual transit revenues for Afghanistan and integrating the country into the heart of a new Silk Road network.

Achievements Expected by 2027: Completion of the feasibility study and announcement of the selected route, with construction financing negotiations underway among regional partners.

10. Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif Railway – The North–South Spine

The proposed Herat–Mazar-i-Sharif Railway, running roughly 800 km across northern Afghanistan, would for the first time connect the country’s two major western cities by rail. Uzbekistan has pledged co-financing, and in October 2025 Afghan, Iranian, and Turkish officials agreed to a $10 million feasibility study under the UN’s FNRC framework, with completion expected by March 2026. A $264 million design contract for the Kandahar–Herat section was also signed in February 2025.

Goals from 2025 Onwards: Complete the feasibility and engineering design studies; secure multilateral financing; begin preparatory construction works on the first segments connecting Herat eastward.

Importance: A continuous rail link across northern Afghanistan would unlock the mineral wealth of Jawzjan, Faryab, and Balkh provinces, integrate industrial and agricultural zones, and complete the missing link in the trans-Asian railway network connecting Europe to South and East Asia via Central Asia.

Achievements Expected by 2026: Finalisation of route designs and initiation of land acquisition for the first construction phase, with groundbreaking on pilot segments expected as financing is secured.