Ferganistan, or Central Asia itself. Fergana Valley. Pearl placer of Uzbekistan What mountains surround the Fergana Valley

The Fergana Valley is located in Central Asia, on the territory of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The flat part of the Fergana Valley is 22 thousand sq. km. About 60% of this territory falls on Uzbekistan, 25% belongs to Tajikistan and 15% to Kyrgyzstan. Three regions of Uzbekistan are located here: Fergana, Namangan, Andijan.

The rich, fertile land in ancient times was the center of various civilizations. The Fergana Valley is an important corner of the world, located on trade routes between empires. The Naryn and Kara Darya rivers join in the center of the Fergana Valley to form the Syr Darya, which irrigates the valley and supports agriculture.

Travel in this region is complicated by the overlapping borders and enclaves of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which sometimes bisect roads and routes.

Geography
The Fergana Valley is almost closed by mountain ranges: in the north-west - Kuramin and Chatkal, in the north-east - Fergana, in the south - Turkestan and Alai. Only in the west there is a narrow passage, now occupied by the Kairakkum reservoir, leading to the boundaries of the Hungry Steppe. The heights of the surrounding ridges reach almost 6 thousand m (at the source of the Sokh River). The surface of the Fergana Valley is mostly flat, most of it represents the ancient terrace of the Syr Darya and extensive alluvial fans of rivers flowing from the Alai Range.

Only in the southeast do limestone outcrops rise (Gul-Mayram, Suleiman-Takhta...). The height of the Fergana Valley ranges from 300-400 m in the west to 900-1000 m in the east. The marginal parts are characterized by adyrs, composed of conglomerates, covered with loess. In the central and western parts of the valley there are sands and salt marshes. Along the outskirts of the Fergana Valley and in the mountains bordering it there are deposits of oil, gas, coal, iron, copper, polymetallic ores, mercury, antimony, sulfur, limestone, construction sands, rock salt. The complex geological and tectonic setting and the activity of tectonic processes determine the high seismicity of the Fergana Valley.

The largest river is the Syrdarya, formed by the confluence of the Naryn and Karadarya in the Fergana Valley. Vast snow fields and numerous mountain glaciers (especially in the Alai Range) give rise to most of the rivers that irrigate the valley (Isfara, Sokh). To irrigate the lands of the Fergana Valley, an extensive network of canals has been created, taking water from the Syr Darya and its tributaries.

Climate
Average monthly temperatures in July vary from +23 °C in the west to +28 °C in the central parts of the valley, with maximum temperatures reaching +43 °C. Average January temperatures in the west are −0.9 °C, in the east −2.5 °C. Winters are characterized by unstable weather, minimum temperatures can drop to −25 °C, but warm weather is observed on some winter days. Snow cover is short-lived. In March, there is already a massive flowering of cherries, plums, cherry plums, peaches, and apricots. Annual precipitation is about 150 mm, in the foothills 250-300 mm. The western parts of the Fergana Valley, which have a desert character, are especially dry.

Fauna
The fauna of the Fergana Valley is relatively poor. The long-eared hedgehog, Central Asian tortoise, lizards, rodents are quite common, and rarely - wolves, foxes, wild boars, badgers, and porcupines.

Typical birds are eagles, hawks, pink starlings, hoopoe, larks, nightingales, orioles, doves, bee-eaters, in the floodplain of the Syrdarya - various species of ducks, on the mountain slopes - mountain partridges. The most common fish in rivers are catfish, marinka, barbel, and carp. Arachnids include scorpions, phalanges, tarantulas, and karakurts.

Flora
The soil cover is represented mainly by gray soils formed on loess and changed as a result of excessive application of fertilizers to the soil due to improper organization of irrigation, which led to their salinization, waterlogging and erosion. In the western part of the valley in the mountain semi-desert belt, wormwood-hodgepodge associations are developed. In the central part lies the Karakalpak steppe, partially covered with sand and salt marshes with semi-desert and desert vegetation.

In the Syrdarya valley, the sandy-riparian vegetation complex predominates, and closer to the foothills - ephemeral vegetation. On the slopes of the Fergana and Chatkal ranges there are forests of walnuts, apple trees, and cherry plums. In the oases there are pyramidal poplar, mulberry, jida, plane tree, elm, walnut, almond, peach, apricot, plum, apple, pear, quince, fig, pomegranate. Only cultivated vegetation grows on irrigated lands.

Story
The city of Khujand, located in modern Tajikistan, was founded in 329 BC. Alexander the Great, who made Fergana the Far Eastern border of his empire. This area has long been famous for the special breed of Fergana horses bred here. They were called heavenly horses and were valued for their speed and strength; China was more involved in the purchase and sale of these horses than other countries. The Fergana Valley served as a busy and diverse center of trade on the caravan routes across Eurasia.

After the Samanid Empire penetrated through Persia into Transoxiana, Persian, Turkish, and Arab influences began to dominate the region. Even though the Mongols arrived in the 13th century and ruled for several centuries thereafter, they became so deeply assimilated that they adopted the same influences and mix of cultures. For some time, the Fergana Valley turned into a mixture of confederations and khanates, until Timur appeared, who at the end of the 14th century began to conquer more and more lands. The Timurid prince, Babur, went on to conquer India and founded the Mughal dynasty, thereby bringing Islam (and the tandoori oven) to the Indian subcontinent.

The Fergana Valley became part of Russian Turkestan in 1876, and intensive cotton growing began in the region at this time. In the 1920s, Turkestan was divided into the five republics that exist today in Central Asia, and the Fergana Valley was divided between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. There was ethnic diversity in the region, so after the division many peoples remained outside their titular republics (for example, the Uzbeks ended up on the Kyrgyz side of the border), although at that time this was not considered a problem, because all the republics were part of the Soviet Union. People and goods could easily move across borders, and transportation across the valley and around the mountains was relatively simple.

However, when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, what had been internal borders suddenly became international. At times, the borders between the three countries are closed, delaying traffic through the Fergana Valley. The various enclaves and exclaves also make travel within the valley difficult, as an additional visa may now be required from one city to another in the same country.

However, the Fergana Valley is known for its place in history and at the center of the Eurasian continent. The region is famous for agriculture and textiles, and the traveler who visits here will find delicious juicy fruits and vegetables, ikat and locally produced silks.

Secrets of the medieval city.

The nature of the surroundings of Fergana is unique. There are endless plains and deserts, green oases and majestic mountain ranges. In areas of unrivaled landscapes, a nature reserve has been created where rare plant species grow and rare animals live.

Here you can see dunes, groves and rocky steppes, an area of ​​fertile soil and impenetrable thickets, coastal forests and majestic mountains with an incredible diversity of flora and fauna.

Convenient conditions for travel and leisure are created here, where everyone can choose something for themselves. You can try walking or trekking through steep inclines and rocky areas, through rivers and mountain valleys.

Margilan is a unique place

City of the Uzbek Golden Valley

When foreigners are asked what captivated them most about this city, many of them often cannot find the words to answer. This city captivates people with its special atmosphere, which reaches, settles in the soul and remains with warmth in the memory. In these eastern cities, such as Margilan, you can forget about time and immerse yourself in one of the legends of Scheherazade's story.

A trip to Margilan can give you extraordinary emotions from visiting the small oasis of the Fergana Valley.

Rishtan

Endless Source of Inspiration

Rishtan is one of those places that captures the spirit of lovers of theatrical scenery. You need to visit it to see the extraordinary beauty of the landscape, communicate with hospitable people and see incredibly beautiful masterpieces of ceramic artists.

After all, this place is famous throughout the world for Rishtan ceramics. This craft survived thanks to several families of craftsmen who passed on their skills from generation to generation. Rishtan ceramics stand out for their richness of design. It is not difficult to recognize the ceramics of this ancient city.

The color blue dominates these works of art. The masters of Rishtan kept secret the recipe for their immortal majolica, the color of which does not lose its shine over time.

Shakhimardan

Preservation of the Sacred Land through the Ages

Shakhimardan is a small village located near Fergana, 50 km. This is a piece of paradise in the middle of the eastern Fergana Valley and it will captivate many of its visitors.

A trip to Shakhimardan will lead every guest to the charming world of nature of this region. You will have the opportunity to explore unique natural monuments that have fascinated tourists from all over the world for many decades.

Thanks to the beauty of these picturesque places, this trip will bring you many pleasant impressions and will remain in your memory for a long time.

History of Shakhimardan. In the footsteps of legends

Every traveler who wants to visit Shakhimardan is looking forward to meeting the beautiful mountainous countryside, which is filled with the life-giving air of the Alai Range mountains. Shahimardan is an ancient land covered with legends. Shahimardan is also a sacred corner, a place of religious pilgrimage. Muslim legend says that Shahimardan was visited by Hazrat Ali himself, the fourth caliph, son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and here is one of his 7 possible graves. “Shakhimardan” in translation means “ruler of people”, which also correlates with the name of Hazrat Ali

Andijan

The brilliance of the Medieval East

It is believed that one of the main cities of the Fergana Valley appeared more than two thousand years ago. Almost all written sources from this period have not survived. But scientists’ guesses were confirmed by sensational findings several years ago. At a depth of four meters, an archaeological complex was discovered that dates back to the 6th-5th centuries BC.

The most ancient excavation material - fragments of fortifications - were found in the southwestern part. Archaeologists have found evidence that the city not only originated, but also developed. They found objects dating from the 6th to 5th centuries BC. in particular a set belonging to the Hellenistic culture.

Mingtepa

All ancient mysteries and secrets

The ancient name of Mingtepa is Ershi. Mingtepa is an ancient settlement that can enchant with its extraordinary beauty of landscapes.

Located in the eastern part of the city of Markhamat, 38 km from the center of Andijan. One of the largest cities in the state of Davan (Fergana), which existed in the 3rd-1st centuries BC.

He gained worldwide fame thanks to handicrafts, agriculture and “winged horses”.

Kuva

A unique place in the Golden Valley

Fergana Valley, called a unique place in Central Asia, where you can see sand, mountains and fields. The Golden Valley is completely surrounded by the mountains of the Tien Shan range. And there was only one way to the valley, through a gorge called the “Bekabad Gate”, up to 20 m wide.

Kuva is located along the route of ancient caravans passing by, which once connected several cities of the ancient East. There was previously a caravanserai on this site. Only some miracle saved the grandiose madrasah, built in the 19th century, from the earthquake in 1902.

Chust

This city captivates people with its special atmosphere, which settles into the soul and remains with a warm memory. This is an amazing city with its own character. The East is a philosophy, a way of thinking and a way of life. And in these eastern cities, such as Chust, you can forget about time and immerse yourself in one of the legends of Scheherazade’s story.

Chust is an ancient center of artistic crafts (making national knives pchak, embroidering skullcaps, etc.) The attractiveness of Chust lies in its beauty and simplicity of charming nature and people.

This city in the Namangan region is one of the oldest settlements in the Fergana Valley. Chust is one of the oldest settlements in the Fergana Valley. In 2005 it turned 3,500 years old. Near Chust there is the Chust settlement of the Bronze Age.

One of the main attractions of Chust is the park, which has many attractions and cafes. Guests from all over the Fergana Valley come here to relax. In the spring, schoolchildren spend “bird day” in this park. Each of them makes a craft in the shape of a bird (burning, embroidery, appliqué, etc.), and older schoolchildren bring live birds here for demonstration. Saint MavlonoLutfulloh, who, according to legend, discovered the source of holy water, is buried in the park. Every visitor to the park must drink this water.

In the center of the park stands the Lutfullah Mawlani Minaret - one of the remarkable ancient monuments. There is also a monument to the people's poet of Uzbekistan, a native of Chust, Sufi-zade.

The Fergana Valley is a vast basin, closed on three sides by powerful ridges of the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alai mountain systems. Its length from west to east is more than 350 km, width up to 150 km. The second largest river in Central Asia, the Syrdarya, flows along the valley. Parallel to the Syr Darya, the Great Fergana Canal flows to the south. Fergana is mentioned as a separate state association in ancient Chinese sources. The valley has been inhabited since the Stone Age. In the Bronze Age, tribes with different economic structures lived here: cattle breeders and farmers. Chinese ambassador Zhang Zan back in 104 BC. counted 70 large and small cities here. Among them are Sokh, Uzgen, Kuva, Akhsy. Some are full of life and today these are Khujand, Margilan, Kokand, Andijan, Namangan, Rishtan...

One of the routes of the Great Silk Road passed through the valley. Therefore, the decorative and applied arts of the Fergana Valley have been influenced by the cultures of China, India, and Persia since ancient times. Excavations have shown that there were both Buddhist temples and Nestorian churches. There was free trade along this famous caravan route: merchants had caravanserais, warehouses, workshops for the production of various goods, and even specially paved roads.

The abundance of architectural monuments of the cities of Kokand, Andijan and Namangan attracts a large number of guests from all over the world.

Fergana

The city of Fergana arose in the second half of the 19th century as a military strategic and administrative point to ensure the most reliable control over the territory of the former Khanate of Kokand. The latter was officially abolished by the highest order of Emperor Alexander II on February 19, 1876, on the day of the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the emperor’s accession to the throne.

The Fergana region is formed on the territory of the Khanate. On March 2 of the same 1876, Major General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, an active supporter of the annexation of the Central Asian possessions to the Russian Empire, was appointed military governor of the region and commander of the troops located in it.

It was on the instructions of M.D. Skobelev that it was decided to found a new Russian city not far from Old Margelan. He himself chose the site for construction. However, a special commission created by his successor, which was supposed to continue the initiative, rejected this site and chose its southern side.

The choice of the name of the new city was carried out by the office of the Turkestan Governor-General. Even then the names “Fergana” or “Fergansk” were proposed. They finally settled on a compromise solution and named the city New Margelan.

In December 1907, the city was renamed in honor of M. D. Skobelev. A marble triumphal column was installed on Cathedral Square, topped with a bronze bust of M.D. Skobelev by the sculptor A.A. Ober.

The city bore the name of the first governor of the Fergana region until 1924. Today it is a modern city. The international airport receives flights from many CIS countries.

It was in this city that Alexander Abdulov’s acting career began when, at the age of five, he and his father appeared on the stage of the Fergana Drama Theater in the play “The Kremlin Chimes.”

Kokand

The Kokand Khanate is one of three state formations on the territory of pre-revolutionary Central Asia. Unlike the Emirate of Bukhara and the Khanate of Khiva, although as Russian protectorates, they survived into the Soviet period, Kokand, which was ruled by khans from the Ming dynasty (aka Abdurrahmanids), was conquered by Russian troops. The Khanate was abolished as a state and annexed to Russia in 1876. Although relatively young compared to other cities, Kokand quickly blossomed into a promising commercial and religious center. Particularly interesting in Kokand is the palace of Khudoyarkhan - Urda, built at the end of the 19th century. and became a symbol of the entire valley.

The palace facade with four minarets is entirely decorated with mosaics made of colored ceramic tiles. A wide ramp leads to the main entrance, and the entrance gate of the palace is a real masterpiece of wood carving. The domed room of the darvozakhona - the gate room - is decorated with a large ganch pattern. The throne room is the most beautiful room of the palace; all types of traditional applied art are used in its decoration, and the ceiling is decorated with 14 carved recesses - hazaks with golden patterns.

The Khudoyarkhan Palace is a witness to all the most important events that took place in Kokand. In 1876, tsarist troops entered Kokand and captured the palace. The Khanate fell, and a Russian garrison was stationed in the palace.

An Orthodox church was located in the throne room, and men's and women's parish schools were opened. After the October Revolution, in the 20s, the board of “Koshchi”, the union of poor peasants, was located here. In 1924, an agricultural exhibition of the Fergana region was opened in the palace, and a year later, in 1925, it was decided to open a museum on the basis of this exhibition. During the Second World War, a military hospital was located here.

Margilan

Margilan, one of the oldest cities in the Fergana Valley, keeper of the secrets of sericulture, was the largest stop on the Silk Road until the 9th century, although local legends date the origins of the city's history to the time of Alexander the Great.

The city of silk, famous throughout the world for its khan-atlases with flowing rainbow patterns and printed silk fabrics. Along the Great Silk Road, traders transported Margilan silk to Baghdad, Kashgar, Khurasan, Egypt and Greece. Margilan has been the silk capital for many centuries.

The population of Margilan has long been engaged in the manufacture of silk fabrics, which has won fame for their city. Almost three centuries from 1598 to 1876. Margilan was part of the Kokand Khanate, after the annexation of Central Asia to Russia on September 8, 1875. Margilan became a district city, a wholesale market for cotton and silk. Ancient architectural monuments have been restored and are visited by tourists. Particularly interesting is the Pir Siddiq complex, built in the mid-18th century. His name is associated with a legend about how pigeons saved the saint. Therefore, the local population reveres pigeons.

Mausoleum of Khoja Magiz, built in the first half of the 18th century. This building can be considered one of the best memorial buildings in Margilan.

Said Akhmadhoja Madrasah, built at the end of the 19th century, is characterized by a harmonious composition. In the courtyard of the madrasah, a mosque was erected, one of the few in the Fergana Valley, where the ceiling of the ivan and the hall is entirely ornamented.

Toron Mosque is a bazaar built at the end of the 19th century. Tourists choose this place to relax near a large house, in the shade of perennial plane trees and listen to birdsong.

Rishtan

Fifty kilometers from Fergana is the small town of Rishtan. 19th century AD e. Rishtans were famous for their ceramic products. For 1,100 years, from generation to generation, masters have been passing on the secrets of producing ceramic products from local varieties of red clay and glaze from natural mineral dyes and ash of mountain plants. Large “lyagan” dishes, deep “shokos” bowls, water jugs, milk vessels, decorated with ornaments made from “ishkor” glaze - unforgettable turquoise and ultramarine colors, brought fame to Rishtan craftsmen and adorn the exhibitions of many museums around the world and private collections.

Namangan

Namangan, the birthplace of the famous Uzbek poet Mashrab, occupies a special place in the golden ring of the Fergana Valley. Not far from Namangan there are the ruins of the ancient city of Akhsikent.

Medieval geographers wrote that Akhsikent was the largest and economically developed center of the Fergana Valley and was considered its capital. Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of various structures: palaces, townspeople's houses, caravanserais, craft workshops, baths, etc. The excavations also revealed various metal products, painted ceramic dishes, and coins minted in the city itself. This city was destroyed in the 13th century by the hordes of Genghis Khan. But during the reign of Timur’s descendants, a large city appeared here again.

In the 15th century, Akhsikent was ruled by Omar Sheikh, the father of the prominent statesman and poet of the East Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur.

In 1875, Namangan became part of Russia. At the same time, a new city was laid out according to a regular plan. It was separated from the old city by a fortress, from which, according to the already established order, radial streets fanned out. Monumental structures in Namangan were built mainly at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. They do not differ in size or quality of finish.

At the beginning of the 19th century, an attempt was made to repeat the Samarkand Registan on Chorsu. A mosque was built opposite the erected madrasah. It was planned to build another building at the end of the buildings. But this plan was not implemented, and over time, after 1917, the mosque was also destroyed. All that remains is the Mullah Kirghiz madrasah, which is constantly being restored by the city authorities, the mausoleum of Mullah Bozor Akhund and several other buildings near the river.

Andijan

Not far from Namangan is the city of Andijan, the birthplace of Zakhiriddin Babur, poet, author of the famous epic "Babur-name", commander, statesman who conquered India and founded the Mughal Empire.

Babur's descendant, Shah Jahan, built the most beautiful palace in the world in India - the Tajmahal.

By age, Andijan is one of the oldest cities. Thirty kilometers from the modern city is the site of Ershi, the capital of the ancient state of Davan, famous for its fleet-footed horses. From here such horses, as the greatest treasure, were delivered to the court of Chinese emperors. In the ninth-tenth centuries, Andijan became the possession of the Samanids. In 1902, Andijan was severely damaged by an earthquake; the city was practically rebuilt. Of the architectural monuments of past centuries, the Jami madrasah has been preserved. Also, the attention of tourists will be attracted by the open-air square - Khurmanchilik, where minting, embroidery and artists work. You can also purchase their products here. Andijan region is known for its holy places. Called Teshik-Tash, the boulder at its base resembles the widely spaced legs of a giant. Among other famous shrines, one cannot fail to mention Imam-Ota.

Tuzlik Masar, Ok Gur, Shirmanbulak spring, the city reached the peak of its prosperity during the era of the Temur dynasty. For centuries, Andijan served as the eastern gateway to the Fergana Valley. Today Andijan is one of the largest industrial centers of Uzbekistan. A production plant was built here! passenger cars Uz-DAEWOO. Models Tico, Damas, Matiz, Nexia.

Lacetti quickly gained popularity among CIS motorists.

Shakhimardan

Shakhimardan is a popular resort town, where there is always cool air, raging rivers and mountain lakes. The road follows the Shakhimardan River to its source in the city, where the clear Kok Su River merges with the waters of the brilliant Ok Su River. Therefore, the city, located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level, attracts the attention of nature lovers. The history of Shahimardan is largely associated with the name of Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph, son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. There is a version that during Hazrat Ali’s stay in Central Asia, he visited the village of Shahi-mardan, and one of his possible seven graves is located in this village, which practically cannot be proven or denied. Translated from Persian, “Shakhimardan” means “Lord of People,” which correlates with the name Hazart-Ali. The Uzbek Soviet poet, playwright and founder of the first professional Uzbek theater, Hamza Hakimzade Niyazi, was born here. He created the play "The Bai and the Farmhand", which became the first work of Uzbek Soviet drama.

Kuva

One of the oldest cities in the Fergana Valley is the city of Kuva. At the site of ancient Kuva, the remains of urban buildings of the 3rd century BC were found. e. On the territory of the settlement, archaeologists explored and excavated a Buddhist temple from the 8th century. n. uh

The first excavations confirmed: Kuva was one of the leading centers of world craftsmanship, where the art of glassmaking itself may have originated.

Kuva is also the memorial complex of the famous medieval scientist Al-Fergani, who was known in Europe under the name Alfraganus.

Date and place: April 29 - May 9, 2017. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Continuing the study of Uzbekistan, which we began in September 2015 with a visit to its central tourist spots - Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, in April-May 2017 we traveled through a number of cities in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan - Kokand, Margilan, Rishtan, Shahrikhan and Andijan , and also drove around the outskirts of Fergana in Kyrgyzstan - Osh, Uzgen, Jalal-Abad and Arslanbop (aka Arstanbap). Why such a strange route through Kyrgyzstan and where are Bishkek, Karakol and Lake Issyl-Kul? And in general, it was possible to fly to Tashkent or Andijan.. There are several reasons for this:

A plane ticket to Osh, if purchased at the opening of sales, costs 2-3 times cheaper than to Andijan or Tashkent;
- you can get to the border with Uzbekistan from Osh by city minibus for 10 soms;
- The Kyrgyz outskirts of the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan are essentially the former territories of Uzbekistan, where there are in some places more Uzbeks than Kyrgyz, and few ancient architectural monuments were not built by nomads at all, that is, this is partly a continuation of the journey through Uzbekistan, which is excellent in the context of this trip;
- we had only 10 days for everything, which is clearly not enough for Kyrgyzstan, which we want to devote to a separate, long trip, in the warmer season.

About the journey in a nutshell.

So, we flew to Osh early in the morning of April 29, walked around the city and Suleimam-Too, met Shavkat at the bazaar - a very sincere and hospitable man, the head of a large Uzbek family, who invited us to his home and treated us like dear guests!

The next day we went to Uzgen

Further, to Jalal-Abad, where we planned to stay at a hydrotherapy sanatorium and get high in the hot baths, but it didn’t work out - the sanatorium doesn’t accommodate people for the day, and the hydropathic clinic was closed on May 1.. Since it was late in the evening, we stopped in Jalal-Abad, and in the morning we went to the mountain village of Arslanbob, where snow fell a couple of days ago and was still lying there even in the valley on the streets, not to mention the mountains) But that didn’t stop us, we went to a local waterfall and spent the night in a tent, in a crazy- a beautiful place among two rivers, horses and cows and snow :)

The next day we walked through a unique, centuries-old walnut forest, reached the lake where we planned to spend the night, but the lake turned out to be a swamp and we urgently changed our plan and before sunset we reached stunning fields with a magical view of the mountains, where we spent the night. In the morning we rushed back to Osh so that the next morning, May 4, we could cross the border of Uzbekistan and stop in Andijan, which, looking ahead, I liked more than all the other cities in the Fergana Valley. In Andijan, a classic search for Uzbekistan began - cheap housing (without registration for foreigners)) But this is a separate topic.. We stayed with locals, in an incredibly atmospheric home :) We walked around a chic bazaar with an insane amount of goodies

And on the advice of a local, we went to the old city. There turned out to be quite a few, quite colorful antiques and, as always in Uzbekistan, there are a lot of good people)

The next morning, after walking around Andijal a little more, we went to Shahrikhan, to the pchak bazaar, where they not only sell a huge number of handmade knives, but also make them! You can personally talk to the craftsmen and watch them work.

Next, Margilan, the “silk capital” of the Fergana Valley, was waiting for us. Here we got acquainted with the full cycle of silk production at the Yodgorlik factory, hung out in a teahouse with the locals and found a mega-cool hotel, where we stayed for the night.

The company at the hotel was a damn interesting one - a couple of interesting travelers from France and Belgium, who have been traveling for more than two years, and a woman who brings rich tourists to Uzbekistan, and also takes local artisans to the states for exhibitions. We chatted all evening) The next morning, our new friend and I and her companion went to Rishtan, to the workshop of the great master, ceramic artist Usmanov Rustam.

The next day, a friend from Tashkent, with whom we stayed in CS in 2015 and with whom we later traveled half of Uzbekistan - Diyor, came to visit us in Kokand!

We walked around the city and went to the Khan's palace.

Then I left the phone in the taxi and thanks to Diyora we found that taxi driver and the phone) Well, the next day we went back to Osh, upon arrival I felt sick from the abundance of unwashed strawberries I had eaten and until the flight I lay in bed while Anastasia chatted with Englishmen living with us in the hostel. Night plane and early in the morning, May 9, we are in snowy Moscow)..

An approximate map with the route of our trip (Google incorrectly laid out the return route through the checkpoint to Uzbekistan, which is closed to Russians, and we were traveling through Osh):

As I have free time, I will post photo reports on all points :)

- a unique, relict place in Central Asia. Almost enclosed by mountains, a huge tectonic depression shaped like an ellipse has an area of ​​more than 22 thousand square meters. km and lies at an altitude of 300 m in the west and up to 1000 m in the east relative to sea level. Surrounded on all sides by mountains Tien Shan And Gissar o- Alaya, it only has a narrow passage in the west (now occupied Karakkum reservoir), which leads to the Hungry Steppe.

The height of the mountain ranges that rise as guards on the borders Fergana Valley in some places it reaches 6 thousand km.

This is where the mildest climate in Uzbekistan e. Average monthly temperatures in July range from + 23 to +28 degrees Celsius, and in January from - 1 to -2.5 degrees. After a short winter, already in March, cherries, peaches, cherry plums, and apricots are in full bloom.

The depths of the valley are a real storehouse of minerals.

Along the outskirts of the oasis and in the adjacent mountains, rich deposits of oil, coal and gas, iron, copper and polymetallic ores, antimony, sulfur, mercury, construction sands, limestone, and rock salt were found.

It is impossible to overestimate the role Fergana Valley in history and culture Central Asia. It is known for certain that information about Davan State, located in an oasis, are already contained in the first Chinese chronicles. From them it becomes clear that it was a rich, economically strong country with highly developed agriculture, livestock breeding and folk crafts. The relatively small population, living in large and small cities (about 70 in total), was actually governed by a council of elders who, at their discretion, removed old and appointed new rulers.

The country's inhabitants were mainly engaged in agriculture, specializing in the cultivation of wheat, rice and alfalfa. The viticulture and winemaking of the valley's inhabitants was famous far beyond its borders. Horse breeding was a special item in the economy, the famous Davanskie« argamaki"were in great demand at the court of the Chinese emperor.

Later, in the Middle Ages, the valley became one of the leading lands Movarounnahra.

Traces of ancient settlements and medieval monuments still remind descendants of the glorious past Fergana Valley.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries. the oasis was the core Kokand Khanate, in 1876 annexed Russian Empire.

Since 1924 Fergana region is part of the Uzbek SSR.

Today's will include three areas Uzbekistan a: Andijan, Fergana And Namangan, as well as small territories of neighboring states - Kyrgyzstan a And Tajikistan a.

And despite the conspicuous signs of civilization, grateful people still honor the centuries-old customs and traditions of their ancestors, carefully preserve the memory of the history and culture of cities and regions scattered throughout Fergana Valley precious pearls on the warm palm of the blessed land.

Namangan

Namangan is the second largest city in Uzbekistan, one of the glorious cities of the Fergana Valley, located in its northern part, 200 km from Tashkent. Namangan is located at an altitude of 476 m above sea level, is the administrative center of the Namangan region and has a population of 450 thousand inhabitants. The first information about Namangan dates back to the end of the 14th century; it is known that the settlement ...

Fergana

Along the southern edge of the Fergana Valley, at a distance of 420 km from the capital and 75 km west of Andijan, at an altitude of 580 m above sea level, lies the wonderfully beautiful city of Fergana. There are no ancient monuments, places of worship or places of pilgrimage in the city; Fergana is generally a relatively young city. In 2007 it is only 130 years old, but this does not mean that the city does not remember its roots...

Shakhimardan

Shakhimardan is a fabulously beautiful place. It is difficult to find a more charming corner in the entire Fergana Valley, and Uzbekistan as a whole. Located 55 km south of Fergana at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, the town is comfortably located in a valley on the northern slopes of the Alai Range. It is washed on both sides by the mountain rivers Ok-su and Kok-su, which merge to form Shakhimardan-sai. Not wide, but fast...

Andijan

Andijan is one of the most ancient cities of the Fergana Valley, located in its southeastern part on the ancient sediments of the Andijansay River. Distance from the capital of the Republic - Tashkent - 447 km, altitude above sea level - 450m. The climate of the area is sharply continental, average temperatures in July are + 27, + 28C, in January -3C. The city is located in a zone of increased seismic activity. Today Andijan, located…

Rishtan

Rishtan is one of the pearls of the Fergana Valley, a city located 50 km from Fergana and Kokand. Until 1977, it was a small settlement, twelve kilometers from the railway line, called the village of Kuibyshevo. Today, it is a completely modern city with a population of 22,580 people - the administrative center of the district of the same name. Rishtan, like all the cities of the Fergana Valley...