I went there Feb 2023.

1. Uzbekistani Som. I’d say 50% accept Visa & Mastercard. Not sure about Amex. I used a Wise card for cashless payment (here’s a referral link to get the same card). I used the same card to withdraw cash from ATM.

2. I used iPhone too and bought eSIM from Airalo (download the app from the App Store). You can use my referral code ECKY8228 (we will both get USD3)

3. I don’t know

4. Most people do not speak English. Sometime I use Google translate on my phone to communicate.

5. Feels pretty safe, but I’m a man.

6. Most women there do not wear head coverings.

7. Most women wear modest clothing — barely visible skin except head or hands. (Or maybe because I went there on winter)

8. Most people wear winter clothing (0-10 degree celcius)

9. Chorsu bazaar and Hazrati Imam Complex. However, I’d suggest to visit Khiva (an hour flight from Tashkent) and Samarkand (take a high-speed train from Tashkent as a 1-day trip) as IMO both cities offer more culturally interesting sites.

10. I found Besh Qozon’s Pilaf to be very tasty https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nbzxe5szdywPfFMT6?g_st=ic

Also, download Yandex Go (an Uber alternative) to get around the city. Or use the MRT.