East Afghanistan

Korengal Valley in Kunar Province, Afghanistan

This section covers the eastern portion of Afghanistan. This region is inhabited by the nationalist Pashtuns, who have cultural links with Pakistan, and is influenced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; a historic name for this area is Afghania Province.

Cities

• 1 Kabul — the capital of the country
• 2 Bagram — site of a large former Soviet and later U.S. military base en route to the Salang Pass and the Northeast.
• 3 Bamiyan — the site of the Buddhas that were destroyed by the Taliban, and an atmospheric town.
• 4 Ghazni —
• 5 Jalalabad — a fairly non-descript town, but a possible stop between Kabul and the Khyber Pass.

Other destinations

Khogyani district in Nangarhar Province

• 1 Band-e Amir National Park — 5 stunning turquoise lakes in a remote, striking setting
• 2 Khyber Pass — a legendary pass and the only place for foreigners to cross legally into Pakistan.
• 3 Mes Aynak — Afghanistan's largest copper deposit, as well as the remains of an ancient settlement with over 400 Buddha statues, stupas and a 40 ha monastery complex

Understand

Ghazni residents walk past newly constructed gates and monuments in Ghazni province.

Get in

Bamyan Airport (BIN ^IATA).

Stay safe

The Eastern provinces of Afghanistan are extremely dangerous and volatile, in particular the Pashtun tribal areas along the Pakistani border. Most foreign governments strongly advise against all travel to these regions. See the wing on the Afghanistan article for more information.