Sightseeing in Mazar-i-Sharif - what to see. Complete travel guide

According to local legends, Mazar-i-Sharif was founded at the beginning of the 12th century. The Seljuk sultan Ahmed Sanjar ordered to build a new city. Right from its establishment, Mazar-i-Sharif got the status of a sacred city because it was built on the site where Ali ibn Abi Talib, the holy person for all Islamic people, was buried. In the 20s of the 13th century, Genghis Khan attacked Mazar-i-Sharif with his army. He nearly destroyed the city, tortured and killed many people. The rebuilding of Mazar-i-Sharif started only in the 80s of the 15th century. This is when the city turned into a popular destination for Shia Islam pilgrims.
Tourists from all over the world arrive in this city to see the main attraction – the Blue Mosque. The building is a mausoleum built on the site where the relics of holy Ali ibn Abi Talib were placed. The ruler of Khorasan ordered to build the fabulous mosque in the 15th century. Why is the mosque called this way? As soon as you reach it, you will immediately understand the etymology of its name. The mosque has a blue color. The secret is in its peculiar design. The mosque is completely covered with turquoise-colored tiles that decorate not only the walls of the building but also its cupolas.

Do you like nature? The gorgeous nature of Afghanistan is one of the reasons why tourists arrive in this country. Lake Zorkul is a true treasure that attracts numerous tourists to the region where Afghanistan borders with Tajikistan. It takes a while to travel from Mazar-i-Sharif to Lake Zorkul, but the result is worth the effort. The name of the lake sounds poetic, and the surrounding area is a true gift of Mother Nature. In 2000, a nature reserve was established in the lake region. At that time, the reserve had an area of roughly twenty-five kilometers. The government protects the area and maintains a unique ecosystem. Lake Zorkul is the outflow location of the Pamir River. According to historical data, the British naval officer John Wood was the first European who visited the lake. This event took place in 1838. Earlier, the lake had another and no less beautiful name – Lake Victoria. In 1895, the border between the two countries – the Russian Empire and Afghani khanates – crossed the lake. Zorkul got its current name during the Soviet period. Later, many people in different countries have found out about the beautiful lake. The popularity of the lake region has been growing since then.

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City tours, excursions and tickets in Mazar-i-Sharif and surroundings
Sights around Mazar-i-Sharif from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Balkh
From the series “The Oldest Inhabited Cities on the Planet”
Check on the map:
Distance from Mazar-i-Sharif center - 20.8 km.
The historic district of Bala Hissar is popular among fans of exciting excursions, as there are ruins of buildings of more than 3,000 years old. In addition to old fortification walls and the ruins of ancient buildings, you can see the remaining pieces of the legendary Buddhist monastery, which was built here in 630. In the 13th century, when Genghis Khan has conquered the city, much of the priceless buildings were destroyed, but the spirit of the historic old town remained the same. …
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Sightseeing in Afghanistan: things to see


Search touristic sites on the map of Mazar-i-Sharif

