Joanna James
Depending on the number of days you are going to be vacationing in Kandy, prioritise the things to do below and pick the things that best suit your personality.
Whether you are staying at one of the Kandy hotels the likes of Cinnamon Citadel Kandy or a bed-and-breakfast, you'd notice that tea is a pretty huge deal in all the places. Ranking as the 4th biggest tea producer in the world, Sri Lanka has its share of intimidating tea factories that span for miles. The tea estates are a sight to look at, and if you want to know how those bright green leaves become the delicious tea in a cup, take a tour at one of the many tea factories in Kandy.
This is the traditional dance in Sri Lanka, and you can see the dancers dressed up in bright garbs and golden jewellery during a performance. Some of the dances also incorporate fire and other props. If you are in Kandy during a Perehera or any one of the Buddhist religious festivals, you'd be lucky enough to see the dance for yourself. Legend has it that the dance itself comes from an exorcism ritual that was done by Shamans in India.
This magnificent manmade lake was created in 1807 and is smack dab in the middle of the Kandy town. It's hard to miss, and if you want a lazy evening stroll with a loved one or friends, walking around the lake will be a good idea. You can also visit the Royal Palace Park and the sanctuary close to the lake, or just simply stroll about and look at the people of Kandy going about their daily lives. You can also rent a bicycle at one of the rentals around the lake and cycle your way around the path if walking seems like something you'd be bored of soon.
Being a town that gets a lot of tourists during the seasonal months, Kandy has a variety of eateries to choose from, and almost every cuisine that one might crave for can be found here. Be it roadside stalls that serve up some quick meals or a cool lounge or bar that you can chill at, Kandy has them all.
This is one of the most revered sacred sites on the island. The name itself explains the reason; the tooth of Lord Buddha is kept inside this temple, and as it is home to a part of Buddha himself, Buddhists consider this as a sacred temple of the highest order. Built back in the 16th century, the Temple of the Tooth has had many facelifts throughout the years. People from all over Sri Lanka and other parts of the world visit this temple for religious reasons, and during the festivals and rituals, you'd see that this temple is filled to the brim, whether it is pilgrims or curious sightseers.
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