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HIGHLIGHTS OF FERGANA VALLEY

In Soviet times the Fergana valley was called as the pearl of Central Asia, however this metaphor is much elder then USSR, and the experts of oriental poetry know what such comparisons do not appear from nothing. Since that time a lot has changed in the valley, including the appearance.

From all sides the valley is surrounded by mountain ranges, and there is only one way in the valley-in the west called Hodjent gates. The town of Hodjent (former Leninabad)-is the ancient fortress which controlled the only way to fergana valley-Hodjent gates. After collapse of the USSR the valley was divided among three Central Asian countries: Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan, which got the largest part of the valley. Some time ago the valley was the part of Kokand Khanate, stretching from the town of Turkestan in Kazakhstan to the north Afghanistan.

Through the valley passed one of the Great Silk Road brunches and fergana always felt the influence of China, India, Persia and north nomads. Even nowadays the one can find Chinese echoes in ceramics of Rishtan - in forms of the dishes, painting and color ranges. Scientists also found the remains of Buddah temples and Nestorian churches in the valley.

Unfortunately there are not many sites of tourist's interest here. In Kokand - the previous capital of Kokand Khanate, the one can see Khudoyar Khan palace apparently dated to 16th century in which now located History museum, Norbuta-Bia madrassah and Modarikhom mausoleum, an old mosque which is still function and an old graveyard behind it also might be a place of tourist's interest.

Rishtan - the town of artisans. The worth places to see here include the ceramic factory or even better the home workshops of local artisans, where they create traditional pottery, with various painted patterns which they never repeat again.

Between Rishtan and the town of Fergana lies the vast territories of Central Fergana- with no trees or gardens and cotton fields as it is totally waterless place.

Fergana - is the youngest town in the valley. It was founded in 1877 as a military fortress and army detachment unit. Through its short history the name of the town was changed several times: New Margelan, Scobelev (after great Russian general, the founder of the fortress.), and only in 1924 the town got its present name -Fergana. The plan of the town is totally different from any oriental towns, European wide streets radiate from the fortress making it easy to control over the streets from the fortress. Near Fergana there is Vuodil village known for its 500 years old plane tree.

Eight kilometers from Fergana town there is Old Margelan-the mirror Central Asian reflection of Fergana town with its "charms" and "non charms". The only Silk factory in Central Asia where still preserved ancient technologies of silk production is located here. Margilan is known for practicizm and trading skills of its inhabitants, may be because of that the biggest bazaar in the valley located in Margelan. Another place of tourist's interest is the Kaftarlik complex, consisted of mosque, minaret and mausoleum.

Another quite big trade centre is Andijan - the hometown of Bobur - the founder of the great empire of Timurids in India. There is a small museum of Bobur in the town.