Kabul

The capital of Afghanistan, the public perception of Kabul still seems to be that of a war-torn city in a land ravaged by the activities of terrorists. And, while that was true in the early 2000s, the city has regained a lot of its former glory and is quickly becoming a must-see sight for travellers in South Asia.

Anyone who doesn't have a deep understanding of Afghanistan must be wondering why on earth anyone would be going to the country's capital city of Kabul for a vacation. The truth is that Kabul has been on the rise since it was rid of its terrorist occupants and is now one of the most underrated spots to enjoy an exotic time. It is situated in a valley, high up in the Hindu Kush mountains and there are stunning views everywhere you look. There has been rapid urbanization in the city over the past decade and a half and this has seen Kabul become the 75th largest city in the world and one of the top-five fastest growing cities in the world as of 2012! The once-favourite location of western hippies is seeing a real return to its glory days, it must be said. In addition to this, the city is filled with beautiful gardens, bazaars, and palaces, and mosques including the famed 16th Century Gardens of Babur - which is a must-see for all tourists. There is also history steeped in every fibre of Kabul's being and you can sense how it was one of the most important cities along the ancient Silk Road and how important it was to those lived here hundreds of years ago!