Fergana

Good to know

1. 1Fergana is the main city of the Fergana Valley, one of the most fertile and densely settled areas of Central Asia, shared between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
2. 2The city was founded by the Russian Empire in the 1870s as a new administrative centre, so it feels different from older Silk Road towns like Samarkand or Bukhara. Its wide, tree-lined streets and low buildings reflect that colonial-era planning.
3. 3The valley is famous for silk. Margilan, a short drive away, is known for traditional ikat fabrics called atlas, and visitors can see how the cloth is made by hand.
4. 4Nearby Rishton is a long-standing centre for ceramics, with a blue-and-green glaze that is easy to recognise on plates and bowls.
5. 5Uzbek is the main language, and Russian is still widely understood, especially among older people. The local currency is the Uzbek som.
6. 6Food in the valley includes plov, samsa baked in clay ovens, and lagman noodles. Fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts are a big part of the markets.

Tips for a first visit

• Use Fergana as a base for day trips. Margilan and Rishton are close enough to visit in a day, and shared taxis or hired drivers are the usual way to reach them.
• Carry some cash for markets, small shops and taxis, as cards are not accepted everywhere, especially outside the larger businesses.
• Try the fresh bread, samsa and fruit at the bazaars, and pick up ceramics or silk directly from the workshops where you can.
• Dress modestly when visiting mosques and in smaller towns, with shoulders and knees covered, and take your shoes off when entering a home.
• If you are invited for tea, accept it. Hospitality matters here, and it is polite to take what is offered and to thank your host warmly.
• Learn a few words of Uzbek or Russian. Even a simple greeting and thank you makes conversations easier and friendlier.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to go, with mild weather and, in autumn, plenty of fruit in the markets. Summers are hot and dry, so plan outdoor visits for the morning or evening. Winters are cold and can be grey, and the town is quiet then.

From the airport

Fergana has its own airport, located a short distance from the city, and a taxi is the simplest way into the centre, usually taking around fifteen to thirty minutes. Local buses and shared taxis also run, but a taxi is easier if you have luggage. Within the city, taxis are the most practical way to get around, and shared taxis connect it to nearby towns like Margilan and Kokand.