Jalalabad
Afghanistan · Asia

About Jalalabad
Jalalabad, previously known as Tarunshahr, and historically known as Nagarahara or Adinapur, is a city in eastern Afghanistan, serving as the capital of Nangarhar Province. It has an estimated population of 318,733 people. Qari Bismellah Bilal is the current mayor of the city. Mohammad Ishaq Saeed serves as the current deputy mayor.
Jalalabad is home to Nangarhar University, which is in the northwestern area of the city. The Jalalabad Airport is in the southeastern part of the city. Jalalabad has a number of industrial parks, bazaars, business centers, public parks, banks, hotels, restaurants, mosques, hospitals, universities, and places to play sports or just relax. The city is connected by a road network with Asadabad to the northeast, Torkham to the southeast, and Kabul to the west. It is about 80 mi (130 km) from the city of Kabul.
Jalalabad is located at the junction of the Kabul River and the Kunar River in a plateau to the south of the Hindu Kush mountains. It is a leading center of social and trade activity because of its proximity with the Torkham border checkpoint and border crossing, 65 km (40 mi) away. Major industries include poultry farming, processing agricultural products such as dried fruits, olives, dates, oranges and sugarcane, and producing household products and various types of snacks. For centuries the city was favored by Afghan kings and it has a cultural significance in Afghan poetry. During Timur Shah's reign of the Durrani Empire, Jalalabad served as the Afghan winter capital.
Jalalabad travel guide
Understand
Jalalabad is the capital of Nangarhar Province. It is next to the Kabul and Kunar rivers, a short distance from the Khyber Pass. It is linked by an approximately 90 mi (140 km) highway with Kabul to the west and about the same distance with Peshawar in Pakistan to the east. Weather in Jalalabad is very hot in summer: 45-50° C. The city is famous for orange trees and palm trees.
Getting there
Jalalabad is on the major highway that links Kabul to Pakistan. A lot of trucks use this route to supply Kabul with food and other products. The main highway was reconstructed in 2006, which is the busiest in Afghanistan. A bus service between Jalalabad and Peshawar is available everyday. It is theoretically possible to get to Jalalabad from Kabul in 1 hour 45 minutes. Many Afghans lose their lives trying this, as many traffic accidents occur on the highway between Jalalabad and Kabul, making it one of the most dangerous in the world.
See
With plenty of greenery and water, Jalalabad is considered one of the most beautiful cities of Afghanistan. About 15 km from Jalalabad, a new city called Ghazi Amanullah Khan City is under development. Named after King Amanullah Khan, it is said to be the first, the biggest and the most modern city in the history of Afghanistan. Jalalabad is considered the capital of Afghan cricket, with many of the national players coming from the surrounding areas. Construction has begun near the city on one of Afghanistan's cricket stadium. It is hoped that this ground will serve the domestic competition and attract international teams.
A large reservoir near Sarobi, located on the way to Kabul. Hada Museum south of Jalalabad contains exhibits related to pre-Islam period. Palace (Shahi Qasar) - the winter palace of the former king Zahir Shah Sherzai Cricket Stadium (under construction) Youth Park Zwanano Park Bridge See the main historical bridge, the only connection to other three provinces Darwanta Dam - famous for fresh fish and green environment with fresh air, its park for women and youth, hotels, restaurants and all type of dishes Ghazi Amanullah Khan City Mausoleums
1 Mausoleum of King Amanullah Khan. Tomb of Amānullāh Khān, who was the sovereign of the Kingdom of Afghanistan from 1919 to 1929, first as Emir and after 1926 as Malik (king). (updated Feb 2020) Mausoleum of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. (updated Feb 2020) Mausoleum of Mohammad Gul Khan Momand. (updated Feb 2020) Nangarhar University Ameer Shaheed Garden.
Do
Go for fishing along river side. Go swimming.
Buy
Handicrafts - including clothes, carpets and cotton-made gifts. Mangee - many types of ceramics, such as tableware and decorative items Pakool - Waskat - traditional Afghan clothing, normally including a special hot and warm hat and special black jacket
Money Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) has a branch in Jalalabad. New Kabul Bank has a branch in Jalalabad. Azizi Bank has a branch in Jalalabad. Afghanistan National Bank has a branch in Jalalabad. Western Union has several offices in Jalalabad.
Eat
Go for special "Pakoras" on Hindu Street. Cheese, Paneer, is the main product of Jalalabad and the surrounding areas. It is famous over all Afghanistan. The many olive gardens in Jalalabad supply the markets with high-quality olives. Olive Oil - mostly used in common dishes. Jalalabad is famous for its high-quality olive oil.
Drink & nightlife
Juice shops in "Mokhaberat Chowk" serve tasty and fresh juices for each season
Sleep
The government hotel 'Spingar' is on the eastern side of the city is basic. There are other guest houses which may be better. 1 Spinghar Hotel (سپين غر هوټل). Historic hotel nestled in the city's largest park. While clean and quite safe, amenities is quite basic. (updated Feb 2020) Taj Mahal Guesthouse, ☏ +93 700 60 33 83. Warm, welcoming guesthouse on the edge of Jalalabad. Free Wi-Fi internet, swimming pool in summer, and home to the Tikibar - the only bar in Eastern Afghanistan, when alcohol is in supply. Meals and laundry service included. US$80.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.