Vijayawada to Afghanistan

The third largest city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada is blessed with immense natural beauty. The city is bounded by the beautiful River Krishna in the west and east, and the Budameru River in the north. Also, the Indrakeeladri Mountain in the western part of the city and Bay of Bengal on the far east add a distinct charm to this city. Vijayawada - which means a 'place of victory' holds great historical importance. The Kondapalli Fort - a rock tower that is spread across three stories is one of the major attractions of the city. According to some historians, this fort was built in the 7th century by King Krishna Deva Raya. One of the finest examples of Indian rock-carvings can be found in the Undavalli Caves, situated in the Undavalli village. This four-storied attraction that has been jointly created by nature and man features a grand statue of Lord Vishnu. To catch a glimpse of the age old sculptures, idols, pottery and handicraft items, one can pay a visit to the Victoria Jubilee Museum. Other places of tourist interest are the Mogalarajapuram Caves, Rajiv Gandhi Park, Gunadala Matha Shrine and Bhavani Island. From MakeMyTrip, one can book affordable travel packages to discover Vijayawada without any hassle.

A landlocked nation, Afghanistan in south-central Asia features highlands, plains, plateaus, lakes and rivers. The country faces a semi-arid steppe climate with cold winters and dry summers. Kabul is the capital city of the Afghanistan with OMAR Mine Museum, Abdul Rahman Mosque and Babur’s Garden as major landmarks. Historical attractions such as Tajbeg Palace and Darul Aman Palace are now in ruins. Balkh in northern Afghanistan is largely popular for the Nine Domes Mosque, which became part of the 2006 World Monuments Watch. Mazar-i-Sharif, a major city located in the Balkh province, is mostly known for its Blue Mosque. In western Afghanistan, Herat offers a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural heritage with its unique museums. Herat National Museum, the erstwhile Citadel of Alexander, houses over 1000 exhibits ranging from pottery to paintings. Bamiyan Valley in central Afghanistan is a historic Buddhist site dating much before Arab settlers came to the country. Lying 2,590 m above sea level, the valley is known for housing ancient man-made caves with two statues of Lord Buddha – one 53 m high and the other, 40 m. Mostly destroyed, the archeological landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Central Afghanistan is also popular for Band-e Amir National Park, comprising six beautiful lakes amidst a rugged terrain. Kabul has several cafes including Afrah Café, Nosh Book Café and The 14th. On the other hand, the bazaar area in Mazar-i-Sharif offers the best retail therapy in the country. Planning a visit to Afghanistan? Book a flight and hotel from MakeMyTrip and enjoy great discounts throughout the year.