Kabul Things to Do

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For a 360 degree view of the city, there is no better spot than the top of `tv tower hill'.
I went up a few times to get the usual establishing city shot on each of my trips to Kabul. Its an interesting drive, up a dusty dirt track. Will take you about 20 mins of driving time to reach the top, but the views are rewarding. You can see on two sides of the hill and register how the city shapes up around the hill.
It could be pretty hazy on a regular day, and the sky and earth merge witha shade of grey and brown... but on a day just after it has rained, you`re more likely to get a great and clear view.

If you are interested in old British Military History in Kabul find your way to the British Fort.

There is now an Afghan Militia Regiment living in it but if you ask nicely (with some dollars maybe?!) they might let you in to wander the ramparts.
Or you can just wander around and look from the outside!

If you get to Kabul you must climb some of those hills that are dotted around the city to treat yourself to some of the best views. Early dawn is best before the Smog arrives from the traffic.

BEWARE: some of the hills are old army strong points so there still is a risk of landmines, but stick to the paths or follow a local and you should be fine!!!

My personal favourite is the view south from the Kings Tomb.

Its probably going to be one of the first thing you see on arrival, just as you make your way out towards town after exiting Kabul Airport. There is a huge heap of aircraft to the right of the road. Much of it is the result of international coalition bombings and the battles that the warlords have fought over the years prior to that.
Its quite a bizzarre sight, when you think that its the same airline that brought you into Afghanistan and you were airborne barely 30 mins ago!

Take you time, have a bit of chit chat with people who have seen things and been through the most unimaginable things.....and yet still they are filled with hospitality and hope. Its very humbling. Not only to you get traditional Afghan hospitality, if you play your cards right, you will come out with a beautiful, unique carpet to keep forever.

There is a great park named 'Park Shahr-e Nawin' the middle of Kabul (near Chicken Street). I was there on a friday (Oct '03)) when kids aren't in school and are riding bikes and playing soccer(futbol).
It was nice just to grab a bench and watch.
I did talk to a couple boys who confirmed that under the Taliban they weren't able to play in the park, and were happy that life was more secure at present.

On the road out to the Kabul Museum, you see an imposing building on a hill. This is the former palace, which is directly across the street from the Kabul Museum.
In any functional sense, the palace has been completely destoyed, though still has some floors and stairs in tact, allowing anyone to roam around.
Very impressive (and a little creepy)

Without knowing the museum is being renovated, I took a taxi 6 miles out to check it out. I was graciously (unofficially) invited in to see the few statues that have already been reassembled (even though they were under a kind of bubble wrap) after the Taliban regime. I was told there were more being worked on that were in many many pieces.
National Geographic was parked outside too, so expect something coming out in this soon.