Kabul

Overview

Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan. It is located in the center of the country and under normal circumstances it would be your best place to explore. Large parts of the city were completely destroyed during the various wars, particularly the western part. It is also the case that many buildings are so badly built that they have fallen down without any hostile action. Recently, some more modern style tower blocks have started to appear. Previously, any tall building would have been blown to bits. Let us get to the point right away: Kabul is a dangerous city in a dangerous country, it should still be considered very much off the beaten track. Unless you are a very adventurous traveler you have no business here. WARNING: Westerners are occasionally targeted by criminals or Taliban sympathisers, and kidnapping can be a threat. Riots happen occasionally and are often accompanied by looting - stay well away from them as authorities will respond with lethal force. Avoid walking after dark, and vary your routes during the day. Kabul is generally considered one of the safer parts of the country, but recent bombings in Oct 2006 have put many people on edge. Read the Scene magazine for restaurant reviews and all sorts of useful info. It is free, although expect street sellers to charge for it. There are many FM radio stations. However, the only widely available English language broadcast is from the BBC World...more

History