Bamyan, Afghanistan  - After three decades of conflict and persecution capped by one of history's most heinous acts of vandalism, Bamyan in central Afghanistan, is sprucing itself up for the more adventurous tourist.

Becoming the country's first declared mine-free province as hoped in 2009 will hardly attract sightseers in itself. But improved accommodation and transport from Kabul, renewal of the alcoves of the giant sixth century Buddha statues that the Taliban dynamited in 2001, and development of more sites can boost its pulling power.