Fergana, Uzbekistan

Fergana Valley is a stunningly beautiful oasis surrounded by Tien-Shan mountains to the north and the Gissar-Allai to the south. The valley includes the territory of three Central Asian countries as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Due to its climate it’s an ideal place for agriculture and livestock. Some travelers say, that attractions of the valley aren’t sightseeing places, though, there are some for sure.

Exploring Fergana Valley is about exploring overlapping histories; dual lives, languages, identities and loyalties. The major city of Fergana valley is just as interesting in unique way, as the valley itself. Fergana city was founded in 1876 by Russian general Skobelev. It’s one of the youngest cities in Uzbekistan and the administrative center of Fergana province. When Kokand Khanate was included in the Russian Empire, Fergana became an important strategic point and a regional military and administrative center. Back then it was named New Margilan.

Unlike other cities, Fergana doesn’t have a lot of sight-seeing places, historical monuments, or significant architecture. Still, Fergana is picturesque and unique in its own way. This city was constructed as an industrial and cultural center of Fergana Valley in the Soviet years, though the location wasn’t favorable for becoming one.

Remoteness from railway, as well as being a military-administrative center, influenced the appearance of Fergana. It’s clear from looking at facades of neat administrative buildings, fortifications, symmetrical construction of wide streets, and big amount of green boulevards. Fergana is worth visiting to experience the atmosphere of post-soviet Central Asian city. It’s still there, changed just slightly.