Fergana Valley
Fergana Valley spans the northeastern part of Uzbekistan and extends into neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) long and up to 70 kilometers (43 miles) wide, the valley covers an expansive area of 22,000 square kilometers (8,500 square miles). Nestled between the Tian Shan Mountains to the north and the Alay Mountains to the south, this lush depression is often regarded as the heartland and agricultural basket of Central Asia. The Fergana Valley plays a crucial role in the region’s vitality with its fertile soil and abundant water supply from the Syr Darya River and its tributaries.
Fergana Valley: Uzbekistan’s Most Populous and Culturally Diverse Region
Fergana also hosts the highest population density in Uzbekistan, with one-third of the country’s 37 million people calling it home. Thanks to its strategic location along the Silk Roads, it has long been a meeting point for various cultures and peoples. Today, it retains this cultural and linguistic diversity, offering visitors a glimpse into the everyday Central Asian life. Whether you are interested in the natural beauty of this picturesque valley, eager to learn about its ancient and more recent history, or interested in experiencing the culture and hospitality of its people, this short guide will provide an overview of one of the most fascinating yet often overlooked parts of Uzbekistan.
Exploring the Early History of Central Asia’s Ancient Region
The Fergana Valley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in Central Asia, drawing human presence for over a million years. Archaeological findings at the Selungur site, have revealed a set of flint stone tools, animal remains, and, most importantly, ancient human bones and teeth. For thousands of years, these early inhabitants survived through hunting, fishing, and gathering plants from the valley’s fertile landscape.
Around four to five thousand years ago, during the Bronze Age, the first cattle-breeding and farming tribes began to emerge in various parts of the valley. Later, these groups played a pivotal role in the development of early settlements and proto-cities, marking the transition from nomadic to more sedentary, organized forms of society. Over the centuries, the valley evolved as a crossroads of culture and commerce, setting the stage for encounters with powerful civilizations.
Alexander the Great in Fergana
When Alexander the Great arrived to Fergana in 329 BCE, he recognized its strategic importance and established one of his many “Alexandrias” here, known as Alexandria Eschate, or “the Furthermost.” The remnants of this ancient city can still be visited today in the modern city of Khujand, Tajikistan.
Heavenly Horses of Fergana
Fergana Valley was a central hub for international trade along the famed Silk Roads. When the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian traveled to the valley in the second century BCE, he encountered a sophisticated urban civilization known to the Chinese as Dayuan, boasting over 70 cities. He also witnessed advanced agricultural practices. Upon his return to China, Zhang Qian shared tales of the valley’s legendary “heavenly horses,” which were said to sweat blood. These stories so fascinated the Chinese emperor that he launched two military campaigns to acquire them, even besieging the valley’s capital to secure the prized horses.
Akhsikent: An Archaeological Site
The city besieged by the Chinese was most likely Akhsikent, whose ruins lie 25 kilometers southwest of modern Namangan, on the right bank of the Syr Darya River. Founded in the third century BCE, Akhsikent became a key stop along the caravan routes between Kashgar in China and Samarkand, facilitating trade and cultural connections. By the ninth and tenth centuries, during the Samanid period, Akhsikent had developed into one of the most prominent cities of the Fergana Valley. It was divided into three distinct parts: the citadel, the inner city, and a large suburban area. Archaeological excavations have revealed that the city was home to various crafts, with steel smelting playing a significant role. It also had an advanced water supply and canalization system, reflecting the engineering knowledge of its people.
Unfortunately, a series of foreign invasions and destructive earthquakes led to Akhsikent’s decline and eventual abandonment in the centuries that followed. Today, visitors can explore the impressive remains of the city that sits on the top of a steep hill. Climbing the staircase, you’ll encounter the remnants of its defensive walls, as well as excavated ruins of houses and workshops, giving a glimpse into the everyday life of its former inhabitants. The site also includes an enclosed area with a sharp depression where layers of history are visible in the earth, offering a fascinating insight into the city’s past. One highlight is the well-preserved water system, with a network of underground pottery pipelines that were accessible by stairs. A visit to Akhsikent provides a unique opportunity to step into the past and experience the rise and fall of a city that was once central to the trade on the famed Silk Roads, and life in the Fergana Valley.
Andijan: The Birthplace of Babur, Founder of the Mughal Empire
In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Fergana Valley became part of the Timurid Empire, a time marked by remarkable cultural and architectural achievements. It was here, in the city of Andijan, that Babur—the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and a descendant of Timur—was born 1483. Babur’s connection to the valley was deeply personal, and his famous memoir, Baburnama, provides a colorful account of his experience in this region during that era. Baburnama, is considered one of the finest examples of prose in the Chagatai Turkic language—a precursor to modern Uzbek.
Babur’s life was both fascinating and challenging. At just twelve years old, he became the ruler of the Fergana Valley following the sudden death of his father. Despite his youth, he made several attempts in the following years to capture the great city of Samarkand, though these efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful. Eventually, Babur was forced to shift his focus south, leaving his homeland to conquer parts of Afghanistan. Later in life, he extended his rule to encompass modern-day northern India and Pakistan, where he founded the Mughal Empire.
Sadly, there is little left of Babur’s time in Andijan, as the old city and its historical structures were destroyed in a devastating earthquake in the early twentieth century. However, Babur’s legacy lives on in Andijan’s Babur Park, located on the outskirts of the city. According to the locals, this was one of his favorite places, a garden where he would often spend time before he finally left the valley. Today, visitors can see his statue and visit the “Babur and the World” exhibition, which features artifacts, manuscripts, and other items that celebrate Babur’s legacy as a statesman, poet, and writer. These exhibits have been carefully collected over the years through the efforts of the international Babur Foundation. At the top of the hill in Babur Park, there is also a symbolic marble tomb, created with earth brought from Babur’s actual resting place in Kabul, Afghanistan. This site offers a touching connection to Babur’s enduring influence, both in the Fergana Valley and far beyond.
Kokand Khanate and modern Kokand city
In the centuries that followed the Timurid departure, the region continued to experience significant political changes and remained a contested area between various Central Asian powers. By the eighteenth century, the Kokand Khanate was founded in the western part of the valley by the Ming dynasty. This khanate competed with neighboring powers such as Bukhara for regional dominance. Its history was also marked by continual conflicts and complex relations with nomadic tribes of Kazakh and Kyrgyz origin. At its height, the Kokand Khanate’s territory extended beyond the Fergana Valley, including the lands of Tashkent and parts of southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
However, the rising power of the Russian Empire in Central Asia soon threatened Kokand’s independence. In 1865, Russian forces captured Tashkent one of its major urban centers. By 1868, the khan of Kokand, Khudayar, was forced to sign a treaty with the Russians, effectively reducing the khanate’s area to its core territories in western Fergana. This fragile status didn’t last long, though. In 1875, a popular rebellion forced Khudayarkhan to seek Russian support and to flee the valley. Seizing the opportunity, the Russians moved to take full control, and by 1876, they had annexed the entire region. The Kokand Khanate was dissolved, and the valley was incorporated into Russian Turkestan as the Fergana province. Kokand lost its status as the capital of the region, marking the end of its political prominence.
Modern Kokand is a district-level city within Uzbekistan’s Fergana province. Although little remains to suggest that it was once the political and administrative center of the entire Fergana Valley and beyond, visitors can still explore several remnants from the Kokand Khanate period. The most prominent of these is the Urda, the palace of Khudayarkhan, which was constructed under his orders between 1865 and 1872. Its magnificent façade with its colorful glazed tiles in shades of blue, green, and yellow harmonizes beautifully with the greenery of the surrounding park.
Fergana City
Fergana was founded by the Russians in 1876 as the administrative center of the Fergana province and was originally named New Margilan. In 1907, it was renamed after General Skobelev, and in 1924, it received its current name, reflecting the valley it lies within. Known as one of the greenest cities in Uzbekistan, Fergana blends Russian-era architecture with lush, leafy parks.
The Fergana Regional Museum is one of the city’s main attractions, showcasing the valley’s rich history and culture. Among its highlights is a 3D map of the Fergana Valley, offering visitors a unique visual perspective on the region’s geography. The museum also features exhibits on the local flora, fauna, archaeological finds, and a collection of early twentieth-century photographs. Another highlight is Ahmad al-Ferghani Park, named after the famous ninth-century astronomer and mathematician. The park features a statue of the scholar, holding a scroll with stars in his hands. With its numerous trees, fountains, and walkways, the park provides a nice environment for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
Kumtepa Market
A visit to Fergana City can easily be combined with a trip to the nearby Kumtepa Market. Busy on Sundays and, to a lesser extent, on Thursdays, the market offers a glimpse into the everyday life of locals, showcasing traditional crafts and customs passed down through generations. One section of the market is dedicated entirely to groom and bridal costumes, complete with elaborate robes and accessories for special occasions. You can also discover the traditional beshik, an Uzbek wooden cradle which is usually decorated with fancy patterns. At Kumtepa, you’ll find everything from fresh produce to old Soviet machine parts. It’s truly one of the most vibrant markets in Central Asia. Whether you’re watching locals haggle over the price of a traditional skullcap or simply soaking in the energy of people going about their daily shopping, Kumtepa Market is a place where you can feel the pulse of life in the Fergana Valley.
Margilan Silk Production
Just 20 kilometers outside of Fergana is the ancient city of Margilan, long considered the heart of silk and cotton textile production in Uzbekistan. The city is particularly renowned for its colorful ikat textiles, whose vibrant patterns have inspired modern designers, including a special line in Ralph Lauren’s collection. In 1983, the Yodgorlik Silk Factory was established with the goal of preserving the traditional methods of silk production and providing employments to the local population.
Today, the factory produces textiles of various types, such as khan atlas—a pure silk fabric—and adras, a cotton and silk blend. Visitors can witness the entire silk-making process, from the feeding of silkworms with mulberry leaves to the dyeing of threads with natural ingredients, followed by the intricate weaving of the silk fabric. Until recently, most of the silk textiles found in the markets of Bukhara and Samarkand were made in Margilan. However, the rise of their synthetic imitations has flooded these same markets with cheaper, mass-produced alternatives. The ancient craft is once again facing a challenge, making the work of the Yodgorlik factory all the more crucial for preserving this centuries-old tradition.
Rishtan – Ceramics Production
Rishtan, another important crafts center in the Fergana Valley, is located halfway between Fergana and Kokand. This town is renowned for its traditional glazed ceramics, a craft believed to be at least 800 years old. The significance of pottery in Rishtan is largely due to the abundance and high quality of local raw materials, including red clay and pigments. The distinctive ishqor alkali transparent glaze is used to coat intricate floral and geometric designs, often painted in traditional blue and green hues against a creamy slip background. These techniques have been passed down from father to son for generations.
Visitors can experience the craft firsthand by visiting one of the many family workshops in Rishtan. For instance, the workshop of a renowned ceramicist Rustam Usmanov offers a complete demonstration of the process. You can watch as pots and cups are shaped on the pottery wheel, observe skilled artists as they paint delicate designs, and witness the final step of firing the pieces in a kiln. This hands-on experience offers a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship that has sustained Rishtan’s reputation as a center of ceramic art for centuries.
Chust
Finally, the ancient city of Chust, also in the Fergana Valley, has long been renowned for its skilled blacksmiths, who produce some of the finest knives in the region. Beyond its modern-day craftsmanship, Chust is historically significant as the namesake of the Chust culture, a distinctive sedentary farming culture that emerged in the valley during the late second and early first millennium BCE. This ancient culture was known for its hand-made and decorated pottery, advanced bronze metallurgy, and a wide range of secondary stone artifacts. The Chust culture, with over eighty known archaeological sites, is an important field of study for understanding the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages in the region. Today, the city not only preserves its ancient traditions but also stands as a testament to the enduring cultural heritage of the Fergana Valley.
Visit Fergana Valley with Kalpak Travel
The Fergana Valley is perfect for those seeking to explore the local way of life and immerse themselves in the everyday rhythms of Central Asia. It’s an ideal destination for visiting family-run businesses of traditional artisans, from blacksmiths and embroiderers to potters and weavers, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s rich cultural heritage. With our expert guides, you’ll enjoy an authentic and personalized journey while we handle all the details.
This blog was written by our experienced guide and tour leader, Bekhruz Kurbanov. To fully experience all the Fergana Valley has to offer, you can join a Kalpak Travel group tour or create a private tour extension tailored to your interests.
