in Kabul, Afghanistan
Chicken Street
This famous Kabul street is the city's premier shopping destination, lined with shops selling Afghan carpets, antiques, lapis lazuli jewelry, traditional crafts, and souvenirs. It's a vibrant hub of commerce and culture in the Shahr-e-Naw district.
Chicken Street — locally known as Kucheh Murghha — runs for approximately 200 metres through the Shahr-e-Naw district of central Kabul, bordered by the Shahr-e-Naw park and connecting to the broader commercial area of the Afghan capital. The street's reputation as the premier destination for foreign visitors seeking Afghan handicrafts dates to the 1960s and 1970s, when Kabul was a thriving stop on the overland route through Asia and Chicken Street became internationally known as a place to buy carpets, jewellery, and antiques through direct negotiation with individual shopkeepers.
The street takes its name from the poultry sellers who historically traded here; the current commercial character emerged from the 1960s onward as shops catering to international visitors gradually replaced the traditional market. During the peak years of Kabul's pre-war tourism, the street attracted travellers from across Europe and North America, with merchandise ranging from genuine antique Turkmen and Baluch tribal carpets to carved lapis lazuli objects, embroidered fabrics, samovars, and bronze candlesticks.
Today Chicken Street functions as the principal destination for carpets, traditional Afghan handicrafts, and antiques in Kabul. Shops line both sides of the narrow street and extend into adjacent lanes, offering an extensive selection of hand-knotted carpets in flat-woven kilim and pile-woven varieties from provinces including Herat, Kunduz, Mazar-i-Sharif, and the Turkmen districts of the north. Lapis lazuli — mined from Afghanistan's Sar-e Sang deposits in Badakhshan Province, the finest source in the world — is worked into jewellery, carved objects, and decorative items available throughout the street, with quality and pricing varying considerably between shops.
Other merchandise includes antique and reproduction miniature paintings in the Mughal and Persian traditions, embroidered suzani textiles, Kuchi nomad jewellery in silver and semiprecious stones, traditional Afghan waistcoats and chapan coats, prayer beads, and copperware. Antique material of genuine age occasionally surfaces, though buyers should exercise caution about provenance, authenticity, and export regulations, as certain categories of Afghan cultural heritage are subject to national export restrictions.
Bargaining is standard practice throughout the street. Initial prices quoted by shopkeepers are typically negotiating starting points; patient and respectful negotiation is expected and generally produces a significantly lower final price. Many shopkeepers speak functional English acquired during the decades of international presence in Kabul. For large or fragile purchases such as carpets, several shops offer packing and international shipping services.
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Best for: shoppers, souvenir hunters, couples, cultural travelers
Location
Chicken Street, Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan
34.5244, 69.1722 — View on map
Highlights
- Hundreds of metres of carpet shops offering hand-knotted Turkmen, Baluch, and Afghan tribal pieces from Herat, Kunduz, and the Turkmen north
- Lapis lazuli jewellery and carved objects from Sar-e Sang in Badakhshan Province — the finest lapis source in the world — worked by Kabul craftsmen
- Antique and traditional Afghan handicrafts including embroidered suzani textiles, Kuchi nomad silver jewellery, and copperware
- Traditional chapan coats, embroidered waistcoats, and textiles representing weaving traditions from multiple provinces
- The street's history as a legendary stop on the 1960s–70s overland trail connecting Central Asia and South Asia
Tips
- Bargain respectfully but expect to negotiate
- Best selection of Afghan carpets and antiques
- Visit multiple shops to compare prices
- Arrange shipping for large purchases
FAQ
Is bargaining expected on Chicken Street?
Bargaining is standard practice throughout Chicken Street. Initial quoted prices are negotiating starting points; respectful and patient negotiation typically results in a significantly lower price. Comparing prices across several shops before committing is advisable, as quality and pricing vary considerably between vendors.
Can visitors export Afghan carpets and antiques?
Carpets and most modern handicrafts can generally be exported with appropriate documentation; shopkeepers on Chicken Street can often advise on or assist with packing and shipping. Genuine antiques and archaeological objects are subject to Afghan cultural heritage export regulations. Visitors should verify export requirements with the seller and at the point of departure.
What is the best time to visit Chicken Street?
The street is open daily from approximately 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mornings tend to be quieter, giving more time for careful examination of merchandise and unhurried negotiation. Fridays may see reduced opening hours as some shopkeepers observe the weekly day of rest.
What kinds of goods are available on Chicken Street?
The main categories are hand-knotted carpets (kilim and pile-woven), lapis lazuli jewellery and objects, embroidered textiles, Kuchi nomad silver jewellery, miniature paintings, chapan coats, copperware, and prayer beads. Some shops offer antiques and occasionally archaeological objects, though buyers should exercise caution about authenticity and export regulations.
Accessibility
Chicken Street is a flat street accessible on foot. The pavement and shop thresholds are uneven in places, and the narrow shops can be crowded during peak hours. There are no dedicated accessibility facilities, but the street-level layout is generally navigable for most visitors.
When to visit
Mornings from 9 a.m. are the quietest time for unhurried browsing and negotiation. Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable weather for walking the street and the surrounding Shahr-e-Naw area.