Fergana is the informal administrative capital of eastern Uzbekistan. It lies in the fertile Fergana Valley, a region famous for its cotton fields, artisan heritage and cultural mix.
Unlike historic cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva, Fergana is young and was planned in imperial Russian and Soviet times. Even so, it is an excellent base to explore valley highlights such as Kokand, Andijan, Namangan, the silk workshops of Margilan and the mountains around Shahimardan.
This guide covers the history of Fergana, what modern city life looks like, the main places to visit in town, where to find nature and spa resorts, how to get here from Tashkent and practical tips to include it in your route across the Fergana Valley.
Although the Fergana Valley has been an agricultural and trade centre since antiquity — a hinge between Silk Road caravans, oases and mountain passes towards China — the city of Fergana itself is relatively recent.
After the Khanate of Kokand was annexed by the Russian Empire in the 19th century, a military settlement called “New Margilan” was founded here in 1876. It was later known as Skobelev, and from 1924 it adopted its current name: Fergana.
Its urban layout — straight streets, wide squares, administrative buildings — reflects imperial Russian and Soviet influence rather than the classic Islamic aesthetic of cities like Bukhara or Samarkand. That makes Fergana unique: a planned Central Asian city that grew with a modern mindset from the very beginning.
The result today is a place very comfortable for travellers: tree-lined avenues, shade, well-kept parks, a relaxed pace and services spread out across the city.
Fergana is often called Uzbekistan’s “garden city”: tall trees, shaded boulevards and plazas with fountains where families stroll in the evening are everywhere.
Since Uzbekistan became independent, the city has seen strong economic growth in sectors such as textiles, chemicals and automotive. It is also a logistics hub between Andijan, Kokand and Namangan, connecting the whole valley.
For travellers that mix means something very concrete: it is easy to find modern accommodation, new cafés, clean parks and a relaxed atmosphere to watch Uzbek daily life without the tourist pressure you find in the great historic capitals.
Fergana is not an open-air museum; it is real, contemporary, young Uzbekistan.
Even though Fergana has no medieval madrasas like Bukhara or Timurid mausoleums like Samarkand, it does have a number of interesting spots:
• Main square and administrative zone:
the civic heart of the city, with monumental Soviet-era buildings and
decorative elements celebrating national independence.
• Drama Theatre / former governor’s palace:
a classic building with echoes of Russian imperial administration.
• Regional museum:
small collections on local history, Fergana Valley ethnography and
traditional crafts.
• Central parks and boulevards:
ideal for an evening walk to watch daily life — families cycling,
ice cream, kids playing.
It is also well worth visiting Margilan, very close by and famous for its handmade ikat silk. Many workshops still use traditional dyeing and weaving techniques. It is a perfect day trip from Fergana if you are interested in authentic Uzbek textiles.
Bonus: the local bazaars. Unlike the more tourist-oriented markets of Khiva or Bukhara, here the bazaar is for locals: fresh vegetables, tandoor bread, spices, everyday clothes. Pure valley life.
One of the main reasons to use Fergana as a base is the nearby nature. The mountains surrounding the valley start very close to the city, with cold rivers, green gorges and traditional villages.
• Shahimardan: a much-loved mountain resort for locals.
Crystal-clear rivers, fresh air, alpine scenery, summer houses.
Perfect to escape the heat of the valley, walk in nature and enjoy
home-cooked food.
• Chimen: known for its spa resort and
mineral waters. It is a classic local destination for
rest and health.
These rural getaways show you another face of Uzbekistan: not only mosques and madrasas but also mountains, nature and village life.
Tip: day trips to Shahimardan and other mountain areas usually require private transport. We can help you arrange a local driver for a full day in the mountains and a comfortable return to your hotel in Fergana in the evening.
The Fergana Valley is famous for its cotton production and textile craftsmanship. Close to Fergana, especially in places like Margilan, craftsmen still weave world-famous ikat silk fabrics.
Local cuisine is more homely and rustic than in the big historic capitals: hearty soups, plov (rice with meat and carrot), shashlik (grilled skewers), soft tandoor-baked bread and fresh salads with herbs. You will see lots of street stalls selling sweet valley fruit, especially in season.
The best part: there is almost no mass tourism here. That means direct contact with everyday life in eastern Uzbekistan. A simple smile and a “salom” (hello) or “rahmat” (thank you) is enough to open a conversation.
If you want to include visits to textile workshops, silk markets or traditional tastings, get in touch via our contact form: we organise private tours in Spanish and English around the valley.
Fergana is well connected within the Fergana Valley and with the rest of Uzbekistan:
• By air: Fergana has its own domestic airport
with flights from Tashkent
depending on the season.
• By road / shared taxi: the valley is linked by a dense network
of taxis and minibuses between
Kokand,
Andijan,
Namangan
and Fergana.
• By train: there are rail connections linking the valley with
Tashkent, although routes
sometimes involve long detours around the mountains.
Inside the city you can move around by local taxi or on foot around the centre (squares, parks, theatre, bazaar). Distances in the central area are quite manageable.
Want to link Fergana with Samarkand, Bukhara and then continue towards Andijan, birthplace of Babur? We can design an itinerary that mixes the classic monumental cities with this vibrant, less touristy valley. Just write to us via contact.
The Fergana Valley has a continental climate: hot summers and cold winters. The best times to visit are usually spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October), when the air is milder, fresh fruit fills the bazaars and the mountains around the valley are green.
In summer bring a hat, sunscreen and water; in winter, warm clothes for the evenings. Remember you are in a traditional region: in active mosques and religious places, dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and ask before photographing people.
Uzbekistan is generally considered a safe country for travellers. As always, use common sense in busy markets and agree taxi fares before you get in.
A smile and a simple “rahmat” (“thank you” in Uzbek) go a long way. Fergana Valley hospitality is direct and warm.
