The Buddhas of Bamiyan once towered over Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Valley, 6th-century Gandharan marvels carved into sheer cliffs, radiating peace and devotion. In 2001, they were destroyed, leaving behind vast, silent niches, haunting echoes of a sacred past. Yet, their absence still speaks. The Bamiyan Valley remains a symbol of resilience, cultural identity, and the enduring spirit of the Hazara people. Through efforts like UNESCO’s Bamiyan Cultural Center, the valley is being reimagined, blendin

DID YOU KNOW that a town called Bamiyan in Afghanistan marks the Westernmost expansion of Buddhism in the history of the world? Way back in the 4th Century, people in Bamiyan carved two MASSIVE Buddha statues (literally) into the mountain and they stood strong for 1,600 years, until they were ruthlessly destroyed in 2001... It's one of the saddest stories known to mankind, but it was still an incredible site to visit! After spending 3 days in Bamiyan, I am COMPLETELY AMAZED by the nature around

20 years ago, the world witnessed the destruction of the 2 standing Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan, tragically reducing history and cultural heritage of the world to rubble. The empty niches of the giant Buddhas in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan are a perpetual reminder of our duty to protect cultural heritage, and what future generations stand to lose if we do not. Today, the area is considered by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in Danger. Read more: https://on.unesco.org/3aFC14P | UNESCO