Fergana valley is situated in the east of Uzbekistan and surrounded from all sides by mountain rainges:Chatkal,Kuramis,Fergana,Alay and Turkestan ranges.Through the valley,flows the river Sirdarya with its numerous tributaries.It is well-known,that 5-6 thousand years ago agriculture was already advanced here:pomegranates,ginger,grapes,walnuts and cotton were introduced by the Chinise in only 2nd c.B.C.On the boundary of centuries through the Fergana valley the main transit road from China to Europe(“The Great Silk Road”)passed.Fergana valley was famous for its “celestial horses” as the Chinese called them.According to Chinese chronicles in 2nd c. B.C.,in this area one could count more than 70 cities in Fergana valley,the largest of them covering an area up to 40 hectars.

Nowadays,most vehicles take the high road from Tashkent to Fergana through the southern slopes of the Chatkal range.South from the capital(Tashkent) the road skirts the depressed mining towns of Almalik and Angren to climb above a beautiful reservoir and into the cleaner air of the Akhangaran river valley.And recently tunnels,which shorten the journey but deny views of the snow-capped Chatkal from the 2.268m(7.450 feet) Kamchik Pass.

HIGHLIGHTS

KOKAND is a city with more than 200.000 inhabitants and is considered to be the gates to Fergana valley.In 19th c. Kokand was the center of one of 3 Kingdoms in our coutry(“Kokand Khanate”).So,the city is famous for its Kudayarkhan`sPalace(19th c.),Norbuta-Biy Madrassah and Modarikhan Mausoleum where is buried one of the famous and talented poetess Nodirabegim.

MARGILAN is a small city near to modern Fergana.The city was already well known in 10th c. by its silk industry.Today the only factory (“Yodgorlik”) in the whole of Central Asia which produces silk fabric by hand is situated here.Here visitors can acquaint themselves with the manufacturing processes of silk,starting from unreeling cocoons till their painting.

ANDIJAN is the motherland of Babur,descendant of Timurids,fouder of the Great Empire of Mongols in India(16th c.).In the city there is a museum named after Babur.

RISHTAN, a small village situated 50 km from Fergana,is famous for its unique potters and porcelains.Visitors can acquire this wonderful traditional Uzbek pottery right at the private workshops.

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE – AMIR TIMUR PARK. Independence Square(former Lenin Square)is situated in the centre of the city.Here near the monument symbolizing new independent Uzbekistan pass holidays and parades.The square is surrounded on one side by office buildings – The Cabinet of Ministers and a number of the Ministries and also The State Library,and on the other – several fountains.Strolling down the streets it is possible to get to the monument dedicated to Timur(Tamerlane).The street is famous for a group of local cafes.Here you can buy numerous souvenirs,get your portrait painted in a moment,or buy pictures.The street ends with a small park,in the centre of which there is a statue of the great commander and statesman of medieval Uzbekistan – Amir Timur.