Things to Do in Kokand

Kokand sits in the fertile Fergana Valley, carrying the weight of centuries as one of Central Asia's most significant historical centers. This former capital of the Kokand Khanate might not have the tourist infrastructure of Samarkand or Bukhara, but that's actually part of its charm - you'll find yourself wandering through authentic Uzbek life, where madrasas and mausoleums blend seamlessly into residential neighborhoods. The city's compact old quarter holds some genuinely impressive Islamic architecture, while the surrounding areas give you a real sense of how traditional crafts like silk weaving and pottery still shape daily life. It's the kind of place where you might stumble across a 19th-century palace while looking for lunch, and where conversations with locals tend to be more curiosity than commerce.

Kokand's food scene centers around traditional Uzbek cuisine with strong Fergana Valley influences - expect excellent plov, fresh nan bread, and seasonal fruits that are genuinely some of the best you'll taste in Central Asia. Small family-run restaurants around the old quarter serve authentic meals for $2-5, while the bazaar area offers street food and fresh produce. Many visitors end up eating at their guesthouses, which often provide home-cooked meals that showcase regional specialties like qurutob or local dairy products. Tea houses scattered throughout the city provide good spots for rest and conversation, though don't expect extensive English menus anywhere.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most comfortable weather, with warm days and cool nights perfect for walking around historical sites. Summer gets genuinely hot in the Fergana Valley - we're talking 35-40°C (95-104°F) - though early mornings and evenings remain pleasant. Winter can be surprisingly cold and sometimes snowy, but you'll have attractions largely to yourself and accommodation prices drop. The shoulder seasons also coincide with harvest times, when local markets overflow with fresh fruits and the surrounding countryside looks its best.