Chicken Street

Chicken Street, officially Kucha-ye Morgha, is the best-known souvenir lane in Kabul and runs through the Shahr-e Naw district in the centre of the city. The nickname is said to come from the poultry market that once operated here, and the street rose to fame as a stop on the overland trail in the 1960s and 1970s. Today it is a narrow, pedestrian-friendly strip of small shops selling carpets and kilims, lapis lazuli jewellery, antiques, embroidered textiles, leather goods, furs, copper and brass, and traditional clothing. Shopkeepers are generally ready to talk and offer tea, and bargaining is expected: a first price can sometimes be reduced considerably, so it helps to compare several shops before buying. Carpets and lapis are the specialities, and buyers should look closely at quality, dyes and provenance. Visitors should be aware that export rules apply to antiques and some cultural objects, so asking for receipts and checking regulations is wise. A visit generally takes one to two hours, depending on how much browsing and negotiation takes place. Shops are open daily except Friday, roughly 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and morning to midday is the best time, when the street is quieter and the light is good. Entry is free. The street is a walkable distance from many Shahr-e Naw hotels, and a taxi costs roughly 70 to 150 AFN (approx $1-2). Kabul City Center is about five minutes away on foot, so the two can be combined into a half-day of shopping. Security conditions in the area vary, and visitors should check current advice locally and keep valuables out of sight.