Fergana: A Green City and Base for Exploring the Valley

Fergana does not look like Uzbekistan's ancient cities. It was founded in 1876 as New Margelan, an administrative center with wide, straight streets lined with plane trees and poplars. So there are no turquoise-domed madrasas here, but there is what a traveler values after a long road: shade, parks, a relaxed pace and a convenient location. From Fergana you can reach almost any famous spot in the valley within an hour and come back to the same hotel room in the evening. Here is how to use the city as a base and what to see in the city itself.

Getting there

From Tashkent to Fergana it is about 320 km over the Kamchik Pass. The trip takes roughly 5–6 hours including stops. There are also trains and flights, but check schedules in advance.

The most flexible option is a shared ride on the Fergana — Tashkent route: drivers leave at different times, and you pay only for your own seat. Bring water and a warm layer, as the pass is cool even in summer.

What to see in Fergana itself

• Al-Fergani Park. A large shady park in the center, named after the medieval astronomer who was born in the valley. Families stroll here, and there are rides and cafes.
• The Al-Fergani monument. The scholar, whose astronomical works were translated in Europe, is especially honored in the city.
• The regional history museum. A small but informative collection on the valley's nature, archaeology and history. Check opening hours locally.
• The central streets. Late 19th and early 20th-century architecture, old mansions and tree-lined avenues make for a pleasant evening walk.
• The bazaar. Fergana's central market is the place to buy fruit, nuts and dried fruit and to try local samsa.

One day is enough for the city itself; the rest of your time is best spent on day trips. Tip: in the hot months, walk around the center after six in the evening, when the parks light up, summer cafes open and whole families gather on the benches. That is when Fergana is at its best.

Where to stay and eat

Fergana has the widest choice of accommodation in the valley, from simple guesthouses to central hotels. Book near the center, which makes it easier to head out in the morning and return in the evening. Prices depend on the season, and rooms go faster in May and September.

Food is easy too: teahouses serving plov at lunchtime, shashlik grills and cafes with European menus. Try Fergana-style plov, tandoor-baked samsa and local fruit; in summer the valley is famous for apricots, grapes and pomegranates.

Day trip 1: Margilan

The closest trip is to Margilan, 15–20 km away. It has a silk factory that shows how atlas and adras fabrics are made, a madrasa full of craft workshops and the large Kumtepa bazaar. Rides on the Fergana — Margilan route take less than half an hour, so you can leave in the morning and be back for lunch.

Day trip 2: Rishtan

Rishtan, the ceramics capital, lies about 50 km to the west, roughly an hour away. Family workshops here make blue platters and bowls with the traditional ishkor glaze. Arrange your visit in advance so you can see the process.

Day trip 3: Kuvasay

Kuvasay is a small town south of Fergana at the foot of the Alai Range. People come for fresh air, a mountain river and picnics in the foothills. In summer it is noticeably cooler than the valley floor, so locals head to Kuvasay at weekends. Rides on the Fergana — Kuvasay route are short, about half an hour.

Note that some mountain areas around the valley border neighboring countries. Do not stray far from roads, and never try to cross a border outside official checkpoints.

Sample 4-day plan

With more time, add Kokand and Khudoyar Khan's palace, or Andijan and the Babur museum.

Practical tips

1. Season. The best time is April–June and September–October. July and August are hot, so start trips early in the morning.
2. Money. Hotels and larger shops accept cards, but you will need cash for bazaars and workshops.
3. Dress code. Casual clothes are fine in the city, but cover shoulders and knees to visit mosques.
4. Getting around. Use taxis or minibuses within the city, and shared rides between towns.
5. Connectivity. Mobile internet works well, but signal can drop in the foothills, so download offline maps.

Easy trips from your base

The beauty of Fergana is that you do not have to change hotels every day. Day trips to Margilan and Kuvasay and the journey to and from the capital are easy to plan on Yo'ldosh: you book one seat in a car with a verified driver and choose a convenient time. See the Fergana — Tashkent, Fergana — Margilan and Fergana — Kuvasay routes, and find other cities on the routes page.

Cover photo: User Yeu Ninje on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.