population: 0.13 million
extension: 3.81 square kilometers
If you're in Charikar and interested in visiting museums, you may want to consider visiting the National Museum of Afghanistan located in Kabul, which is approximately 60 km away. The museum has a vast collection of artifacts dating back to ancient times, including some of the world's oldest known pieces of glassware and pottery. Other museums in Kabul worth visiting include the Afghan National Gallery of Fine Arts and the Afghanistan Centre at Kabul University.
If you're looking for other museums of a similar type that are closer to Charikar, unfortunately, there are no significant museums nearby.
Some popular and typical dishes to eat in Charikar, Afghanistan, according to local people, are:
1. Kabuli Pulao: A delicious rice dish cooked with meat, carrots, raisins, and spices.
2. Mantu: Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables and served with yogurt and tomato sauce.
3. Ashak: Pasta stuffed with leeks or scallions and topped with a tomato-based sauce, yogurt, and mint.
4. Kofta Chalaw: Meatballs made from ground beef or lamb blended with herbs and spices and served with rice.
5. Qabili Palau: Rice dish cooked with lamb or beef, raisins, carrots, and almonds.
6. Bolani: Flatbread stuffed with potatoes, chives, and other vegetables and fried until crispy.
7. Shorma: A flavorful soup made with either chicken or beef and vegetables like onion, carrot, and potato.
8. Sheer Yakh: A frozen dessert made from milk, sugar, and rosewater that is similar to ice cream.
These are just a few of the many delicious dishes you can try when visiting Charikar and its surrounding areas in Afghanistan.
Some fun activities that local people enjoy in Charikar and the surrounding areas include:
1. Hiking: Charikar is surrounded by beautiful mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts. You can hike to places like Panjshir Valley, Anjuman Pass, or Salang Pass.
2. Buzkashi: Buzkashi is a traditional Afghan sport played on horseback, which involves two teams trying to score goals by dropping a goat carcass into their opponent's goal area. It's a thrilling and unique experience to watch.
3. Shopping: Charikar has many local markets where you can find traditional Afghan handicrafts, including carpets, jewelry, and pottery.
4. Exploring historical sites: There are several historical sites near Charikar worth visiting, including the ancient city of Begram and the Buddhist complex of Takht-i-Rustam.
5. Attending cultural events: Local festivals and events such as Nowruz (Persian New Year), Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Charikar and offer a chance to experience Afghan culture first-hand.