Fergana ( 320 thousand people)  is situated in the south of Fergana valley. It is rather yang town: its history starts only in 1877. After disintegration  of Kokand Khanate  Fergana Region was founded.The administrative center  became New Margilan ( that was the name of the town at that time as distinct from the Old Margilan which has already existed ) In 1907 the town got the name Scobelev called so after the famous Russiab general. And at last in 1924 the town was renaimed again and since that time it is called Fergana.  Fergana is one of the most important industrial centers of Uzbekistan. Here they process oil, cotton, silk cocoons. There enterprises of food and light industries here. There are no ancient monuments in the town, but in its beautiful surroundings there are many springs with mineral water, what allowed to build sanatoriums and houses for rest and recreation.. And the beauty of the vast fruit gardens of Fergana and the region is  known far outsize  its boarders.                 

                                                        Kokand                                                                                                                     Kokand ( 180 thousand people) is one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Fergana valley. There are no exact datas about the time of the towns foundation, but it is known that on the place where modern Kokand is located there were settlements as fa as in the 1^st  century which later amalgamated into a town.The Great Silk Road played a great role in the growth of the town.  The first written mentioning of Kokand are found  in the 10^th century. In the 13^th century the town was destroied by mongols but then it was gradually restered. In the 16^th century Kokand became the capital of the same named Khanate and by the 19^th century it  was well fortified administrative, trading and cultural center of the region. Many mosques and madrassahs were built in Kokand, gradually the town got the important religious meaning, it became the center of Islam in Fergana valley.

  Since old days some significant historical monuments have been preserved here. First of all it is the Palace of Khudoyar Khan, the last ruler of prerevolutionary Kokand. It is  demonstrates not only the tastes of  nobility of that time , but high artistic level of the constructors and artizans-craftsmen. The traditional ganch carving, majolica and mosaic pannels used here are samples to be imitated for modern masters.  At the very beginning there were 7 courtyards and 119 different halls and rooms. Now, unfortunately, there are only 2 courtyards and 19 rooms.  Preserved facade of the main palace is 70 meters long, it astonishes visitors by unusual  multicoloured decoration and  magnificence of geometrical and vegetable ornaments.

   At the cemetory of  Khans   beautifully performed mosaic and majolica décor of some mausoleums worth your attention: Dahma-I Shakhon, Modori-Khon and some others. In the streets of Kokand your eyes are attracted by Mosque Djuma, Madrassah Kamal-Kazy and others.

Margilan ( 165 thousand people) is situated only 8 km far from Fergana.This town with

Its 1000 years old history also plaied an important role in the life of the region, as it was also situated on the Great Silk Road. Since old days Margilan was famous for it silk manufactured here. And now it did not lost its significance as one of the most important center of  manufacturing  silk fabrics in Uzbekistan. We advise you to visit “Yodgorlic” factory where you can see how cacoons are turned into very thin silk. All work is done  by hands.   

Fergana