Joanna James
Sri Lanka's history is full of kingdoms, and the last of those had Kandy as its capital. Kandy is frequently visited, with accommodation from budgeted to Hotel Hilltop Kandy, an iconic Kandy hotel.
Arguably the centre-piece of the town, is the Kandy Lake, and this is no ordinary body of water. The artificial lake was built in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last ruler of the kingdom of Kandy. There is a small central island within the expanse of the lake, which was initial used as the King's personal harem. It was eventually converted into an ammunition storage facility by the British who added the fortress style parapet around its perimeter.
Whether you're a fan of Golf or simply seek to enjoy a pleasant lunch in a serene environment amidst a historical atmosphere, you should consider taking a visit to the Victoria Golf and Country Resort. Surrounded on three sides by the Victoria, and with a backdrop consisting of the cunning Knuckles range, it is no mystery why the resort's clubhouse is a popular place to have lunch. The Golf-Course is also claimed to be one of the best on the island.
Firstly, this eating establishment is not a hotel, but a restaurant, and one of the most popular in Kandy. They are known to serve the finest samosas in the region, along with other food such as curries, naan roti and the most iconic of Sri Lankan fast-food dishes, Koththu Roti, which is a dish consisting of chopped slivers of roti that are cooked with eggs, vegetables and a choice of meat.
Should you wish to take a memento of Kandy or are simply interested in taking a closer glance at the creative and artistic side of Kandyan and Sri Lankan culture, then this is a definite must on your itinerary. The Kandy Cultural Centre contains a vast selection of traditional arts and crafts including lacquerware, brassware and other various items in an attractive colonial-era facility.
A visit to Kandy will easily be in vain if one doesn't embark on a trek across the lush forest countryside. Various different forms of expeditions are available from multiple sources that take place across several nights or even a few hours should you prefer.
Should you wish to expand your knowledge on Buddhism or the popular practice of meditation, the Buddhist Publication Society is a place to browse through a vast selection of books on the subject, or attend a lecture by a trained monk.
An integral stop on any tour across Sri Lanka, especially if you're a tea-drinker. This museum is situated in the iconic Hantane Tea Factory just 4km away from Kandy, and features various tea-processing equipment, and exhibits on the pioneers James Taylor and Thomas Lipton.
A multi-cuisine establishment, the recently opened restaurant has become an instant hit for the snacks available at the bakery, and the top-notch cuisine served up in the restaurant.
A most unique religious monument, the Vishnu Devale acts as a tribute to both the Hindu God Vishnu as well as Lord Buddha, signifying a rare intermingling between the two religions.
Classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO, this temple is considered to be one of the most significant Buddhist sites in the world since it supposedly contains a tooth of the Lord Buddha himself. So if you're planning a visit to this glorious city, this should definitely be your top priority.
A place enveloped by wonder and history with no shortage of curious things to see, be sure to check out these ten things if you ever find yourself in the major city of Kandy.
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