Kandy

Kandy, an important city, is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Kandy is situated in the middle of the hills in the Kandy plateau which is surrounded by tea plantations. It is also home to one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in the world, the Tooth Relic. In the year 1988, it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Kandy has a rich historical background covering the major events of the medieval era and colonial era. Every square inch of this nicely planned town has a piece of Sri Lankan history to share with you. You can feel the pulse of royalty in some colonial architecture and feel the divine blessings while visiting a large temple where science meets religion and together they try to explain the complexity of life. The Colonial-era constructions left an imprint on various cities of the world, current generations term these imprints as "old world charms." While moving in the capacity of a tourist, Kandy gives you this opportunity to capture the old world charm where the ambiance of the city plays a pivotal role and transports you into the world where things were easier and more enjoyable. For many of you, it can also become a travel in time when you will visit this nice city that has a mystique associated with it.

What to see in Kandy

1. Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake is a dominating part of Kandy city, and you can`t miss it! The lake is charming and peaceful.

The lake was created in 1807 by the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy. The people initially objected to laboring on the lake project, but those who objected were ruthlessly put to death on stakes in the lake bed. So the lake has a bloody history.

In the middle of the lake is a small island used by the emperor`s personal harem. Later the British used it to store ammunition, and they were the ones who built the fortress style parapet around the area. Tourists can take a walk along the tranquil lake as it is therapeutic. Visitors can even go on an exciting boating expedition on the lake.

2. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

This ornate golden-roofed temple houses the most important Buddhist relic in Sri Lanka - a tooth of Buddha brought to the island in the 4th century. 

The temple was built between 1867 and 1707 specifically to honour this sacred relic, and the temple has long since been a place of importance for both Sri Lankan and international visitors. In fact, most Sri Lankans believe they need to visit the temple at least once in their lives to pay homage to the toothy treasure. 

3. Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya are about 5.5 km to the west of the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It attracts 2 million visitors annually. It is near the Mahaweli River (the longest in Sri Lanka). It is renowned for its collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, including orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. Attached to it is the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

4. Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park is best known for its scenic panorama in Sri Lanka, delighting travel enthusiasts with gamut of exclusive plant and animal life. It is also one of the heritage sites in the world, stretching above the two lofty mountains Totapola and Kirigalpotta, which is a sight-to-behold.

5. Royal Palace of Kandy

Tucked miles away near the deep and verdant valleys of the Kandy village, Royal Palace of Kandy was once the residence of the Sinhalese Monarchy. The magnificence of this palace and the brilliance of its creativity have enlisted it amongst the most beautiful tourist places to explore in Sri Lanka. The palace is situated in the close vicinity of the Temple of the Tooth and is entirely surrounded with lush green beauty.

What to eat in Kandy

The city is dotted with some excellent restaurants that serve everything ranging from Indian, Chinese, Thai, and more that are a treat both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. One of the best ways to enjoy the delicacies and cuisines of a place is to explore and eat like a local

Shopping in Kandy

Kandy City provides its tourists the best shopping experience with so many stores putting up so many Sri Lankan specific things for purchase. You can visit the Kandy shopping centre and Handicrafts shops that allow you to buy the best souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family.

Best Time to Visit Kandy

The beauty of travelling to Kandy City is that it remains pleasant all throughout the year. The best time to visit Kandy City is from January to May. These months have an average temperature of 26 degree celsius and provide for stable weather conditions during your exciting trip to the city.

Kandy City also has two monsoon seasons, between May and September and another one comes anytime between December and March. However, the rainy season makes the city even more beautiful and does not act as a thorn in your side during your trip.

How to reach Kandy

If you are planning to travel from India to Kandy City, there is no direct way to reach at the destination. You will first be dropped at the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo. From here, you can travel to the Kandy City in various ways. You can take the train, bus or a cab to reach the city.

If you plan to travel by train, deboard your flight and board a train from the Colombo Railway Station and alight at the Kandy Railway Station. This takes approximately 1.5 hours and is a comfortable ride. The view and thrill of riding in a train is completely enjoyable and a must-try. The trains keep running throughout the day but you will need to buy tickets to get an individual seat for yourselves. The bus is a more affordable way to reach the city. So, if you plan to take a bus, it will be a 3 hour bus ride from the capital to the city. There are various intercity buses that run throughout the day. However, you will have to buy a ticket for the bus too so that you can have a comfortable ride to the city. The ticket allows you to reserve a seat for yourself. Booking or renting a cab is a more personal way to reach the city but it takes more time than the other travel options. However, on arrival, from India, at Colombo, you can rent a car or book a cab to the Kandy City. The ride is roughly 3.5 hours. The ride is comfortable and will allow you to make voluntary stops on the way to view and admire famous tourist spots.

The only way to reach Kandy City from India is by air as the sea routes have been cancelled due to security and weather conditions.