Best Landmarks in Gandhara

12 landmarks

1. 
   01
   Heritage museum4.5★1,543 reviews

   Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery

   Explore the remarkably preserved ruins of Takht-i-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing a 1st-century CE Buddhist monastery complex in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Perched high on a hill, this ancient site offers a captivating glimpse into the Gandhara civilization and its unique blend of Buddhist and Greco-Roman influences.

   Daily 9:00–19:00

   784 min drive · 392 km·Mazdoorabad, Takht Bhai, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

   Show on map Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery
2. 
   02
   Historical place4.5★1,237 reviews

   Herat Citadel

   The Herat Citadel, also known as the Citadel of Alexander or Qala Ikhtyaruddin, is a historic fortress in the heart of Herat, Afghanistan [11]. Believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 330 BC, it has been a seat of power, a military garrison, and a prison throughout its long history [5, 7]. Today, it stands as a testament to Afghan resilience and offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich past [12, 13].

   1020 min drive · 510 km·85WQ+753 قلعه اختیارالدین (ارگ تاریخی هرات)، جاده انصاری, Herat, Afghanistan

   Show on map Herat Citadel
3. 
   03
   Park4.5★1,092 reviews

   Babur Garden

   Babur Garden, or Bagh-e Babur, is a historical park in Kabul, Afghanistan, serving as the final resting place of Mughal Emperor Babur. Developed in the 16th century, the garden features terraced architecture, serene gardens, and panoramic city views, attracting locals and tourists alike [3, 10, 23].

   Daily 8:00–16:00

   294 min drive · 147 km·34.503°N 69, Block 157-158 Walkway, Kabul, Afghanistan

   Show on map Babur Garden
4. 
   04
   National park4.6★891 reviews

   Band-e-Amir National Park

   Band-e-Amir National Park, Afghanistan's first national park, is a stunning collection of six turquoise lakes in the Hindu Kush mountains [2, 8]. Created by natural dams of travertine, the lakes offer a unique and breathtaking landscape [6, 8]. Often called the "Grand Canyon of Afghanistan," it's a must-see destination for its natural beauty and cultural significance [3, 6].

   Mon–Tue 9:00–17:00 · Sun open 24 hours

   220 min drive · 110 km·R6WF+7XH, Bala Tang, Afghanistan

   Show on map Band-e-Amir National Park
5. 
   05
   Museum4.5★595 reviews

   The National Museum of Afghanistan

   The National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul stands as a symbol of resilience, safeguarding the country's rich cultural heritage. Established in 1919, its collection showcases millennia of Afghan history, including artifacts from the Silk Road, Buddhist, Islamic, and Persian dynasties [3, 4, 12]. Despite facing immense challenges, including looting and destruction during the civil war, the museum continues to preserve and promote Afghanistan's cultural legacy [3, 4, 12].

   285 min drive · 142 km·F48C+R22, Darulaman Rd, Kabul, Afghanistan

   Show on map The National Museum of Afghanistan
6. 
   06
   Tourist attraction4.5★377 reviews

   Buddha of Bamyan

   The Buddhas of Bamyan were two colossal statues carved into the cliffs of the Bamyan Valley in Afghanistan in the 6th century [5, 13, 14]. Though destroyed in 2001, the remains of the towering figures and the surrounding cave network are a haunting reminder of the region's rich Buddhist history and a testament to its cultural crossroads along the Silk Road [4, 5, 15].

   Open 24 hours

   200 min drive · 100 km·RRJG+RPC, Bamyan, Afghanistan

   Show on map Buddha of Bamyan
7. 
   07
   Shrine4.6★229 reviews

   Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine

   The Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine in Herat is a stunning funerary complex dedicated to the Sufi saint Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, also known as Pir-e-Herat. Built in the Timurid era, the shrine is a major pilgrimage site and a testament to Islamic art and architecture [6, 7].

   Open 24 hours

   1011 min drive · 505 km·96FR+W8H, Khaja Abdullah Ansari Rd, Herat, Afghanistan

   Show on map Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Shrine
8. 
   08
   Historical landmark4.4★235 reviews

   مناره‌های هرات (‌MANAR Ha)

   The Minarets of Herat, remnants of the Musalla Complex, stand as testaments to the Timurid dynasty's golden age in the 15th century [7]. These majestic structures, adorned with intricate tilework and calligraphy, offer a glimpse into Afghanistan's rich cultural and artistic heritage [3, 8].

   Open 24 hours

   1021 min drive · 510 km·955P+PG7, AH1, Herat, Afghanistan

   Show on map مناره‌های هرات (‌MANAR Ha)
9. 
   09
   Historical landmark4.4★124 reviews

   Minaret of Jam

   The Minaret of Jam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a 65-meter-tall minaret located in a remote region of the Shahrak District, Ghor Province, Afghanistan [6]. Built around 1190, it's renowned for its intricate brickwork, stucco, and glazed tile decoration, showcasing Islamic calligraphy, geometric patterns, and Quranic verses [6].

   Open 24 hours

   596 min drive · 298 km·9GW8+H69، Dżam, Afghanistan

   Show on map Minaret of Jam
10. 
    10
    Bridge4.1★91 reviews

    Malan Bridge

    Malan Bridge, or Pul-i-Malan, is a historic bridge located about 12 km south of Herat, Afghanistan, connecting the Injil and Guzara districts [3, 4]. Built around 1110 AD during the Seljuk dynasty, it has been a vital link across the Hari River for centuries [3, 4, 7].

    1019 min drive · 509 km·75PR+HGW، Unnamed Road, Herat, Afghanistan

    Show on map Malan Bridge