Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley came top in my poll last week, so here’s the thread you’ve been waiting for.
This lush, fertile, & partly mountainous region is in the east of UZ, bordering Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan. 1/
This lush, fertile, & partly mountainous region is in the east of UZ, bordering Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan. 1/
It‘s the agricultural heartland of Uzbekistan, famed for its fruits in particular. Agri-tourism is in its infancy, but in the Fergana Valley you’ll find sweet melons, nectarines and apricots which taste like honey, huge bunches of grapes, & fat, juicy strawberries. 2/
The markets are magnificent (this is the Silk Road, after all), but for me nothing beats fresh pomegranate juice from a roadside stall, or plucking one straight from the tree in the orchard. 3/
The pomegranate is a symbol of fertility & good fortune, so you’ll see the motif all around you. It’s particularly popular on suzanis (traditional embroideries), which are an essential part of a bride’s trousseau. 4/
The Fergana Valley is a centre for all kinds of handicrafts production, but textiles are particularly important. Margilan’s silk is world famous, & the adras & atlas fabrics have @UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status. /5
If you are a lover of applied arts - not just textiles but ceramics, wood carving, metalwork, & more - you MUST attend the International Handicrafts Festival in Kokand. It’ll next take place in summer 2021, & attracts artisans from around the globe. /6
Kokand itself is a remarkable town, once the capital of the Kokand Khanate. The Khudoyar Khan Palace was built in 1871 by 16,000 labourers, & though only a fraction of the original building survives & is open to the public, it’s a fascinating insight into the life of the Khan. 7/
Kokand FC deserves a mention here, too, because it’s the oldest football club not only in Uzbekistan, but in all of Central Asia. Founded in 1912, they play in the Uzbekistan Super League. Their history is more impressive than recent results on the field 😂 8/
Andijan is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Mughal Emperor Babur. The connection with Babur reminds us of Uzbekistan’s historic ties - political & cultural - to the Indian Subcontinent, & it’s one of the reasons so many Indian tourists visit today. 9/
Those who follow my account know I’m an archeology geek, so of course I’m going to recommend some ruins. Aksikent was already well established by the 3rd century BC, & the fortress was besieged by Chinese forces for 40 days... 9/
They wanted control of this strategically important location, but also of the blood sweating horses of Fergana, which were far superior to anything the Chinese cavalry rode. Few tourists visit Aksikent so you’re likely to have the site to yourself. 10/
It’s a short drive from Aksikent to Namangan, which also boasts a number of attractive historic monuments, including mosques & mausoleums. 11/
The city’s Mullah Kyrgyz Madrassa was built in 1910 by a local cotton magnate. It’s decorated with fine examples of Fergana’s wood carving & mosaic tiles on the portico. After the revolution it became a literary museum, & now it houses crafts exhibitions. 12/
Last stop on this mini tour is the exclave of Shohimardon. Legend is this is the burial place of Ali, son in law of the Prophet, so it’s a sacred place of pilgrimage. It’s also a stunning, peaceful mountain retreat. As both KG & UZ are visa free, entering is now quite easy 😊End/
