Ancient city in Quva
Ancient settlement in Quva
According to Chinese sources, since its foundation and until the occupation of the territory by the Arabs, Quva was known as Kuaisang, Yuan Cheng and Hongmin. The current archaeological site is mostly from the 10th to 13th centuries AD but there are signs from 7th and 8th centuries and even from 3rd – 4th centuries BC as well. Uzbeks call the site Zindontepa.
In the ancient times, Kuva was built at the site of an even more ancient Fergana valley settlement and developed into a traditional oriental city with the ruler’s citadel, the Shakhristan – a part of a city within the fortification and a series of Rabads that are areas around a city held by tradesmen’s and craftsmen’s quarters.
From the point of view of a traveller, Quva is a place to visit while traveling to Ershi or between Andijan and Fergana or Margilan in the Uzbek Fergana Valley. It does not take long to visit the site as it is mostly unexcavated and there is almost no information about the contents of the ruins of findings.
The ancient city was surrounded by a strongly fortified wall, so its modern name – Kubo in Persian means “strong”, an “elevated area” or a “strong fortress”. Despite this, in the 13th century, the city was damaged heavily by the Mongol troops. Today you can still see restored walls which give you an idea about the fortifications of the city.
In the middle of the 20th century, archaeological excavations exposed a Buddhist temple in Quva from 7th – 8th centuries with clay statues of Buddha and other divinities. The study also proved that Kuva was a glass manufacturing center, which produced a wide range of glass items.
Modern Quva Town
Kuva is one of the earliest cities in the Fergana Valley, settled on the Great Silk Road. Kuva is placed in the northeastern part of Fergana Province, about 20 km from Fergana city, its administrative center. In Uzbekistan, Quva is known for its fruits like pomegranates, cherries and peaches.
Ahmad Al Fergani
Next to the ruins of the ancient settlement, there is a beautiful memorial complex dedicated to Ahmad Al Fergani, a proud son of Quva. Ahmad He was a famous medieval scholar, astronomer and mathematician and was recognized across Europe under the name of Alfraganus.
His exposition Astronomiya asoslari (The Basics of Astronomy) was translated into several languages in the 12th century to be used as a textbook on astronomy at universities across the world for a long time afterwards.
Travel to Quva
Quva is very much outside the routes of international tourists. It is still not far away from the nearby cities of Fergana and Margilan or Andijan so it is rarely easy to catch a taxi to visit the ruins in the city. Otherwise there is not much to see in this town. Border to Kyrgyzstan is also very near to the southwest from the town.
Sights near Quva
Page updated 1.3.2026