Joanna James
Most visitors often associate Sri Lanka with shimmering blue beaches and languorous seaside holidays, but it has much more to offer than that. The central hill country of the island is beautiful and tends to offer welcoming respite from the heat of the coast. Here are some of the very best things to do in Kandy, the cultural capital of the island nestled in Sri Lanka's picturesque upcountry.
One of the top things to do in Kandy is to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth and the accompanying Royal Complex. Built between 1867 and 1707, the beautiful golden roofed temple houses a tooth of the Lord Buddha which was brought to the island in the 4th century. The temple has held a place of importance for Sri Lankan Buddhists for a very long time, and paying homage to the relic at least once in their lives is a must. Apart from the relic itself, there are exquisite carvings and colourful depictions of Buddhist fables to take in as well. The entry ticket is priced at LKR. 1500 for international visitors, and do note that both males and females should cover exposed shoulders and legs when entering.
One of the largest and most extensive parks in Sri Lanka, the Royal Botanic Gardens are a true delight. Once reserved exclusively for Kandyan royalty, the sprawling leisure gardens were transformed into what it is now known today, in the year 1821 during British rule. The gardens are home to over 10,000 trees spread over 60 hectares and showcases, the island's unique flora in one place. Make it a point to take a look at the cannonball tree planted by King George and Queen Mary during their visit in the year 1901. This attraction can easily be reached from many an accommodation in Kandy including the likes of Mountbatten Bungalow.
After your done visiting the Sacred Temple of the Tooth, you can simply flag down a tuk-tuk and make your way to visit the temples of Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke, and Lankathilaka Vihara which form the three-temple loop. These renowned places of worship also serve as a living history to the island's extensive Buddhist heritage and the dexterity of craftsmanship of old Ceylon.
Serving as the backdrop of many of the city's major attractions, the Kandy Lake is iconic and, sits at the very heart of the cultural capital. The man-made lake was built in 1807 under the patronage of the last ruler of the Kandy Kingdom. It's a great place to spend an idyllic afternoon while gearing up to visit the next attraction on your list.
There is nothing like immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of local markets, and Kandy's local bazaar does not disappoint. The market streets are lively with local vendors selling everything from fresh fruit, vegetables, textiles to incense. Some sights worth checking out during your time in the old town include the Red Mosque of Kandy, the Giragama Walawwa, a former royal building, and the Kataragama Hindu temple.
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