DID YOU KNOW that a town called Bamiyan in Afghanistan marks the Westernmost expansion of Buddhism in the history of the world? Way back in the 4th Century, people in Bamiyan carved two MASSIVE Buddha statues (literally) into the mountain and they stood strong for 1,600 years, until they were ruthlessly destroyed in 2001... It's one of the saddest stories known to mankind, but it was still an incredible site to visit! After spending 3 days in Bamiyan, I am COMPLETELY AMAZED by the nature around

Buddhas of Bamyan from above like you never seen before. The empty niches of the Buddha statues dominate the Bamiyan valley. Carved in the 6th century, the two statues, standing 38m and 55m respectively, were the tallest standing statues of Buddha ever made. Now gone, the emptiness of the spaces the statues have left behind nevertheless inspire awe and quiet contemplation in equal measure. #unseenafghanistan2 #bamyan #afghanistan | Khyber Khan

13K views · 95 reactions | Taliban members are seen patrolling the ancient Bamiyan Buddhas ruins 20 years after the group destroyed its giant Buddha statues amidst widespread criticism bit.ly/3a2Of6w | The National | Facebook