Will be travelling for the first time in a very long time to Srinagar, what places do you guys recommend to go see? (Restaurants + Cafes, Sights, Shops, etc.)

I'm someone who hasn't visited for a well over a decade, and that trip had also been my first visit. I'd been very young back then, so I didn't get to appreciate things as much as I would now.

I want to experience Kashmiri culture and everything it has to offer, it's food, the must see sights, and everything honestly.

It's my second home, that I unfortunately don't know a lot about, and I want to just understand my roots a bit better.

I also want advice on what to expect as a traveller there.

• What's it like weather-wise? (where I live, the weather is mild and doesn't usually go above 25°C in the summer)
• How does transport work?
• What foods should I definitely have whilst there?
• Any sights that are must see locations?
• Can I get by with just English?
• How is it culturally in terms of clothes?
• Any shops that sell nice pieces that would make a good souvenir or gift?
• What's the best place to just generally go shopping?
• Anything else I should expect as someone who hasn't gone in a very long time?
• Any festivals in August that would be cool to go to?
• Generally, how much do things cost? (e.g. taxi, transport, a coffee/tea, sandwich, snack, etc.)
  • I want to know local prices so I don't get overcharged :(
• Can you use debit card/Apple Pay? Or is is preferable to use cash?

I can't speak or read Urdu or Kashmiri, but I can understand Urdu to an extent (like 50/60%). Would I be able to survive with English alone?

Also, is it okay to film? I wanted to make a home-video style thing for my trip and keep it as a nice memory for my time there. Do people mind cameras? I'd probably film the sights mostly, and mine is very small.

I want to make the most out of my trip, and just understand a part of me that I don't know very well. Advice from locals is therefore very appreciated 🙌