Balkh, Mazar I Sharif Travel Guide

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Explore Balkh, the 'Mother of Cities': A Silk Road gem with a 2500-year history, ancient ruins, and Islamic shrines near Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan.

Balkh, an ancient city in northern Afghanistan near Mazar-i-Sharif, boasts a history stretching back over 2,500 years [4, 8]. Once a vital Silk Road hub and a center of Zoroastrianism and Buddhism, it was known as 'the mother of cities' [6, 9, 10]. Today, it offers a glimpse into Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage [4, 8].

A brief summary to Balkh

M4V9+4W5, Mazar-i-Sharif, Posht-e-Mazar, AF

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Balkh.

Balkh is best visited as a day trip from Mazar-i-Sharif. [11]
Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites.
Engage with locals in the bazaars for an authentic experience.
Be aware of your surroundings and stay updated on travel advisories.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Shrine of Hazrat Ali

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Rawza e Mubarak Museum

Khalid Bin Walid Family Park

Buzkashi Ground

Explore Balkh on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Balkh, mapped for you.

Getting There

Shared Taxi

From Mazar-i-Sharif, the most common way to reach Balkh is by shared taxi [11, 14]. These can be found at designated taxi stands in Mazar-i-Sharif [11]. A seat in a shared taxi to Balkh costs approximately 50 AFN [11]. The journey covers around 24 km (15 miles) and takes about 30-45 minutes [11]. Be prepared for a potentially crowded ride [14].
Private Taxi

A private taxi from Mazar-i-Sharif to Balkh offers a more comfortable and direct option [11]. Negotiate the fare with the driver before starting the journey. Expect to pay around 800 AFN for a private taxi [18]. The drive is relatively short, allowing you to explore Balkh's historical sites at your own pace [11].

Discover more about Balkh

Balkh, located approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Mazar-i-Sharif, is one of the oldest cities in Afghanistan and the world [4, 8, 10]. Its history spans over 2,500 years, with settlements dating back to around 500 BCE or earlier [4, 8]. Known to Arab conquerors as "Umm-al-belad," meaning "the mother of cities," Balkh was a crucial point along the Silk Road, connecting the East and West through trade and cultural exchange [6, 8].Historically, Balkh was a significant center for Zoroastrianism, with claims that Zoroaster himself died within its walls [8, 10]. The city later embraced Buddhism, as evidenced by the numerous monasteries and stupas that once dotted the landscape [8, 9]. The Arab conquest in the 7th century brought Islam to Balkh, further transforming its religious landscape [5, 8]. Despite these shifts, Balkh maintained its importance as a center of learning and commerce, flourishing during the Abbasid and Samanid periods [5, 8].Genghis Khan's Mongol hordes devastated Balkh in 1220, leading to its decline [6, 7]. The city never fully recovered, and the seat of government eventually shifted to nearby Mazar-e-Sharif [6]. Today, Balkh is a smaller settlement surrounded by extensive ruins, including the outer walls of ancient Bactra [7, 10]. Among the notable sites are the Shrine of Khwaja Abu Nasr Parsa (Green Mosque), the tomb of Rabi'a Balkhi, and the Nine Domes Mosque [7, 11, 15]. These landmarks offer a glimpse into the city's rich cultural and historical past [4, 5, 7].