Bamiyan valley is in the linking path of the markets of China and markets of Western Asia. It was part of the Gandhara kingdom till the invasion of Afghanistan. Bamiyan valley consists of a large number of Buddhist statues carved on the sides of the hill.

The two most prominent of these statues were standing Buddhas, now known as the Buddhas of Bamyan, measuring several feet tall. They are the largest standing Buddha carvings in the world.

In 2001 the Talibans dynamited and destroyed the Buddha statues stating that they were against Islam. They stated it is not a Islam custom to have idols for worship.

When Buddhism flourished in Bamiyan Valley, the monks carved the sides of the cliffs and lived in there. After the destruction the Bamiyan valley revealed a number of caves behind the huge Buddha statues. Around 50 jars of Buddha manuscripts and a large number of oil paintings were found in these caves.