Herat is a province in the western corner of Afghanistan on the
crossroads
of the ancient silk route. With its temprate climate, it is one of the most
ancient cities of Central Asia, with a very interesting history. The
backbone of the culture in this city is poetry, art, philosophy,
architecture and love of humanity. In such a city, normaly one should
expect many gardens created by people throughout its history.
Unfortunately, many ancient gardens like Gauharshad Garden is just in the
pages of history. But presently there are many beautiful gardens in the
vicinity of the city, that provide a good refuge for war-torn people of
Herat to spend their weekends. Furthermore, each garden has its own season.
- Pole Malan:
- A very ancient bridge (probably badly damaged during the recent war) at
the bank of Harirod. During the winter, when the river is calm, people come
here for wrestling festivals and other winter entertainments. This
festival (Mayla) lasts for a month.
- Emam Shishnoor:
- A garden in the vicinity of a Sufi grave (Imam Shish Noor). After the Pole
Malan Festival, this festival starts at the end of winter at the
Northern Bank of Herat River and ends with the beginning of Spring when the
Lilies (Arghawan) start blooming in Takhte Safar.
- Takht-e Safar:
- One of the most beautiful gardens of Herat, this garden was built on the
slopes
of Firooz Koh, a branch of the majestic Parapamisos mountains, ten
kilometers from Herat city. The entire garden is covered with Lilies and
bushes which bloom in the
spring. A small water channel is directed to pools on top of the slope
which in turn flow downward on steps thus creating the most beautiful
scenery. Previously, a very beautiful restaurant was built in the garden
which was severely damaged during the recent war.This Garden has its own
Festival lasting throughout the spring season.
- Bage Pole Pashtoon:
- This is the most beautiful garden of Herat at the bank of the Herat river
built in the
European style. I have my best childhood memories from this garden
and its beautiful roses. This garden has its festival in the summer and at
the end of spring when the Herat river is at its full power. We used to
enjoy standing on the Pashtoon Bridge and watching the strong flow of the
water in the river. This park is located 8 km from the city of Herat at
the right bank of the Herat River.
- Park-e Kargar:
- During Daud Khan's time, this garden was completed at the southern bank of
the Herat river and called Parke Kargar. The entire area is covered with
dense jungles and beautiful roses available in Herat, and create the best
refuge from the hassles of life in the city. A very beautiful retaurant is at the centre of the garden. People of Herat love this garden and do pay attention
to preserve its beauty.
- Gazergah-e Sharif:
- A beautiful garden surrounds the mausoleum of the Great Sufi, poet and
writer of Herat: Khawaja Abdullah-e Ansar. This garden is close to Takhte
Safar and people visit it regularly all year round.
- Park-e Tarqi:
- This park was built durig Daud Khan's time in the city and is one of the
most beautiful gardens of the city. The whole park is designed of roses
and other flowers. This is an every day place of entertainment for the
people of Herat. A few other parks are also in the city, for example Parke
Share
Naw, Parke Ekhteyaroddin and Gawharshad.
- National Parks:
-
- Chesht-e Sharif and Chashma-e Obe:
- For the people who want adventure and travelling, there are designated
areas in the outskirts of Herat to visit. The most famous of all is Cheshte
Sharif in Obe covered by dense greenery and beautiful, mountainous
scenaries at the bank of the Herat River, 50 km from the city of Herat. In
the vicinity, there is a thermal spring facility which was the major
attraction for tourists in Afghanistan. Anyone going to Herat should not
miss this spot.
- Chashma-e Safid Koh:
- This is the hikers' place to test their hiking abilities. It is a
thermal spring in the most beautiful and virgin valleys of Parapamisos
60 km from the city of Herat. There are no roads, except small paths
starting
from dasht-e Siawoshan. I have inspiring memories from a hiking
experience which led me to choose geology as my career. It is purely
natural, and
no human has touched it yet.
- Morghe Paran:
- For fossil hunters, this is the ideal national park in Ghorian devision of
Herat province 70-80 km from the city of Herat. You will experience the
virgin valleys of Parapamisos along the Herat river. Beautiful natural
scenaries accompany you on your way to the spot.
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