{{short description|Street in Kabul, Afghanistan}} {{Infobox street |name=Chicken Street |image=Chicken Street - The "shopping street" in Kabul.jpg |caption=A shop on Chicken Street |coordinates={{coord|34.5282|N|69.1702|E|source:wikidata|display=inline,title}} |native_name={{native name|prs|Koch-e Murgha کوچه مرغ}} |other_name=Chicken Street|known_for=Popular destination on 1960s/1970s hippie trail; popular destination amongst foreigners in the 2000s |location=Between Zargona Road and Shahrara Road, Kabul, Afghanistan}} '''Chicken Street''' ({{langx|prs|کوچه مرغ}} ''Koch-e Murgha'') is a narrow street located in the Shahr-e Naw district of Kabul east of the Asamayi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetowner.com/shopping-in-kabul/|title = Shopping in Kabul|date = 6 April 2016}}</ref> It has been an iconic shopping street in the city and popular with foreigners,<ref name="wio">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-afghanistans-iconic-chicken-street-fades-peace-brings-new-hope-347017|title = As Afghanistan's iconic chicken street fades, peace brings new hope| date=2 December 2020 }}</ref> famous for its carpets, handicrafts and antiques.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/22/world/asia/afghanistan-kabul-chicken-street.html|title = There Are No Chickens on Chicken Street. Now There Are No Customers Either|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 22 April 2018|last1 = Nordland|first1 = Rod}}</ref>
==History== thumb|left|A salesman on Chicken Street Chicken Street was the major attraction for foreigners during the Hippie trail from the 1960s to late 1970s. Afghan coats, bracelets and plenty of hashish made it popular.<ref name="times">{{Cite news |last1=Fletcher |first1=Martin |date=2009-10-06 |title=Only the brave survive on Chicken Street in Kabul |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/only-the-brave-survive-on-chicken-street-in-kabul-9tx5fvr5h2f}}</ref> Hippies would also smoke opium here. Along with hotels, it provided items for the travelers to use en route towards Kathmandu. The street and tourism in general declined with the start of the Soviet–Afghan War.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afghanistan's Hippie Trail |url=https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=74594cd9a03f4853992ff5053be852d8 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=www.arcgis.com}}</ref>
Following the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the influx of foreign diplomats and other visitors, the street was thriving again for it became a popular place for Afghan souvenirs. Traditional Afghan rugs and lapis lazuli stones were popular with shoppers.<ref name="BBC"/> Emerald, rubies, exotic food and artists selling paintings are among the other attractions on offer. However the departure of most foreign NATO troops by 2014 led to a significant downturn in business. Security issues have also hampered business.<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34554443|title = Hard times on Kabul's Chicken Street|work = BBC News|date = 6 December 2015}}</ref>
Despite its name, the street is not known for its sale of chickens; those are sold on the adjacent Flower Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/destinations/asia/kabul-express/|title = The Kabul Express|date = 12 January 2003}}</ref>
<gallery> Chicken Street shopping - Kabul - کابل.jpg|Antiquities on Chicken Street Kabul Antiquity Shop2.jpg|Antiquities on Chicken Street Kabul Antiquity Shop1.jpg|Antiquities on Chicken Street </gallery>
==In popular culture== Chicken Street was the subject of the eponymous 2005 novel by Amanda Sthers.
The street is featured in the 2007 documentary film ''16 Days in Afghanistan''.
==See also== * Freak Street
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Streets in Kabul Category:Hippie movement