Fergana Valley (Kokand & Rishtan)

A Silk Road oasis basin known in antiquity as Dayuan, with Kokand's Khan's Palace, Margilan's handwoven ikat silk and Rishtan's blue-glazed ceramics — Uzbekistan's heartland of traditional crafts.

The Fergana Valley lies in eastern Uzbekistan, encircled by the Tian Shan and Pamir-Alay mountains. Known in ancient Chinese records as Dayuan and famed for its “heavenly horses”, it was the most densely populated oasis on the Silk Road. This destination uses the city of Fergana as a base, covering the old city of Kokand about 80 km to the west, the ceramics town of Rishtan about 50 km to the southwest, the silk city of Margilan 15 km away on the outskirts, and the ruins of Akhsikent in Namangan Region to the north. Kokand was the capital of the 19th-century Kokand Khanate, and the Palace of Khudayar Khan, the Juma Mosque and several madrasas are concentrated in its old town. Margilan is renowned for handwoven ikat silk (on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list) and the big Kumtepa Bazaar on Thursdays and Sundays, while Rishtan is Central Asia's home of blue-glazed ceramics. The climate is dry and continental; Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct are the most comfortable, while Jul–Aug often hits 40°C. Getting there: from Tashkent, high-speed or regular trains cross the Kamchik Pass to Margilan or Kokand in about 4–5 hours, or you can fly to Fergana Airport. Plan on 2–3 days: one day for Kokand and Rishtan, another for Margilan and Fergana city. Local customs are fairly conservative, so wear long sleeves and trousers at religious sites, and women should bring a headscarf; cash (Uzbek som) is widely used.

Top sights

• Khudayar Khan Palace – The palace of the last khan of the Khanate of Kokand, its façade covered in glazed tiles. It is the Fergana Valley's top historic monument.
• Yodgorlik Silk Factory – A handmade silk workshop in Margilan where you can watch the whole process, from silk reeling and tie-dyeing to hand-weaving Adras silk.
• Rishtan Ceramics Workshops – Central Asia's home of blue-glazed pottery. Visit the workshops of master craftsmen such as Rustam Usmanov and try your hand at painting.
• Juma Mosque, Kokand – The great mosque of 19th-century Kokand, whose roughly 100-meter-wide colonnade is supported by 98 painted wooden columns, a masterpiece of…
• Narbutabey Madrasa – The largest surviving madrasa in Kokand, still operating as a school during the Soviet period, located beside the mausoleum complex of the…
• Dahmai Shohon Mausoleum – A mausoleum complex of the Khan family of Kokand, with exquisite carved wooden galleries and painted ceilings, and the nearby Modari Khan t…
• Kamol Qozi Madrasa – A 19th-century madrasa in the center of Kokand’s old town, with an elegant gateway decorated in glazed tiles, suited to a stroll through th…
• Miyon Hazrat Madrasa – A 19th-century madrasa in Kokand with a small minaret from which visitors can look down into the courtyard, with few tourists and a calm at…
• Said Ahmad Khoja Madrasa – A 19th-century madrasa in the old town of Margilan, whose inner courtyard houses silk and embroidery workshops where visitors can watch art…
• Khonakhan Mosque – The main mosque of Margilan, with a wooden-column colonnade, blue dome and a formal atmosphere during Friday prayers.
• Kumtepa Bazaar – A traditional great bazaar on the outskirts of Margilan, crowded on Thursdays and Sundays, full of silk, ikat and handwoven cloth.
• Al-Farghani Park – A large park in the center of Fergana city with shaded walkways and amusement rides, a popular spot for locals to stroll in the evening.
• Akhsikent – The ruins of an ancient capital of the Fergana region on the banks of the Syr Darya, with remains of high-platform walls overlooking the va…

Where to eat

• Oram Choyxonasi – Margilan's most famous old teahouse, open 24 hours, where locals gather early in the morning for chickpea soup and fres…
• Karvon Choyxona – A popular teahouse in the center of Kokand, widely praised for its kebabs and fair prices, frequented by both tourists…
• Anor Family Cafe – A popular family restaurant in Margilan with an English menu, specializing in grilled meats, Turkish pizzas, and cakes.

Itineraries

• Fergana Valley Silk & Ceramics Loop – Take the train from Tashkent into the valley to visit the Palace of Khudayar Khan in Kokand, Rishtan ceramics, and Marg…
• In-Depth Uzbekistan Grand Loop – A comprehensive loop covering the four ancient cities plus Fergana Valley, Nukus, and the desert mountain villages of N…