<strong>Natural attraction: </strong>Band-e-Amir National Park is formed of a series of six deep blue lakes amidst picturesque red-hued cliffs and rocky natural dams.
Natural attraction: Band-e-Amir National Park is formed of a series of six deep blue lakes amidst picturesque red-hued cliffs and rocky natural dams.
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<strong>Historic site:</strong> It was established as Afghanistan's first national park back in 2009 after decades of delay due to war.
Historic site: It was established as Afghanistan's first national park back in 2009 after decades of delay due to war.
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<strong>Tranquil place:</strong> "This park serves as an icon for the identity of the Afghan people for essentially a beacon of stability for the three decades of chaos that they went through," said Alex Dehgan, former Wildlife Conservation Society's Afghanistan Country Director.
Tranquil place: "This park serves as an icon for the identity of the Afghan people for essentially a beacon of stability for the three decades of chaos that they went through," said Alex Dehgan, former Wildlife Conservation Society's Afghanistan Country Director.
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<strong>Picturesque location: </strong>Visitors can camp here, go for a picnic, or can even rent colorful swan-shaped paddle boats to navigate one of the lakes.
Picturesque location: Visitors can camp here, go for a picnic, or can even rent colorful swan-shaped paddle boats to navigate one of the lakes.
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<strong>Visitor increase: </strong>The number of people visiting Band-e-Amir surged from 25,000 to 169,900 from 2009 to 2018.
Visitor increase: The number of people visiting Band-e-Amir surged from 25,000 to 169,900 from 2009 to 2018.
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<strong>Various factors: </strong>Willcox partly credits the "vast increase" in visits, particularly in the past three years, to improved road surface conditions in the country, allowing for much quicker trips.
Various factors: Willcox partly credits the "vast increase" in visits, particularly in the past three years, to improved road surface conditions in the country, allowing for much quicker trips.
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<strong>Safe haven: </strong>The park is situated in the Bamiyan province, one of the safest areas of Afghanistan.
Safe haven: The park is situated in the Bamiyan province, one of the safest areas of Afghanistan.
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<strong>Summer destination:</strong> As the region is extremely cold in winter, the vast majority of people visit during the summer months.
Summer destination: As the region is extremely cold in winter, the vast majority of people visit during the summer months.
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<strong>Oasis of peace: </strong>The stunning park has been described as "Afghanistan's Grand Canyon."
Oasis of peace: The stunning park has been described as "Afghanistan's Grand Canyon."
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"It serves as one of the most notable places in Afghanistan," said Richard Paley, former director of Afghanistan's Wildlife Conservation Society.
"It serves as one of the most notable places in Afghanistan," said Richard Paley, former director of Afghanistan's Wildlife Conservation Society.
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