Best Things to Do in Kandy – Sri Lanka’s history and culture in a nutshell

For a complete Sri Lankan experience, you must add Kandy to your list of places to visit. The city is visited by thousands of Sri Lankans and foreign tourists. Its historical sites and religious sites are revered by the locals. You can travel to Kandy by train, or you can hire a cab if convenience is your priority; if you are not sure which option to take, you can do a little research with the help of Kandy Escapes and figure out what works best for you.

It would be fair to say this is the most significant religious site to Buddhists in Sri Lanka; in fact, they believe that the temple should be visited at least once in their lifetime. The tooth relic was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century. The relic now occupies a golden casket inside the temple, and the locals have attributed an ethereal quality to it.

Although not a historic site, the Botanic Gardens of Kandy are visited by hundreds of people. Before the British turned the garden into the Botanic Gardens, only the royals could access the garden. The sprawling garden takes up 60 hectares, and it nurtures around 10,000 plant species. The palm-fringed pathway is the most unmistakable feature of the garden.

Housing a collection of carriages, trolleys, engines, and rail cars, the Railway Museum was opened in 2014 to celebrate the 150th year of train services in Sri Lanka. The museum holds exhibits that go back to 1864 when railway travel began in the country.

Its alma maters aren't the only thing the school prides itself on; it also has a chapel that speaks of ancient Kandyan architecture. The chapel was built to mark the 50th anniversary of the school. The open-air structure is one of the highlights, and there's a hoard of murals, granite columns, and wood carvings. The chapel's eaves and the pantiled roof are two other noteworthy features.

Found a kilometre away from Kandy, Bahirawakanda Temple is the birthplace of many urban legends. The main feature of the temple is the huge Buddha statue in a sitting position. The statue is located 88 feet above land level and can be seen from anywhere in the city.

The lake is located right in front of the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The manmade lake was built by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the country's last king. In the middle of the lake is what seems to be a small islet. According to what locals believe, the islet was the bathing point for royals, and there's a secret tunnel giving access. The promenade surrounding the lake is ideal for a stroll or jogging. For panoramic views of the area, visit the Kandy View Point.

Every Sri Lankan town has a street market, and the one found here is called the Central Market Kandy. It's packed with vendors selling local fruits, vegetables, and an array of spices. You can also purchase local art and crafts here. Even if you don't want to buy anything, the market is worth a visit.

Sri Lanka's tea history is two centuries old. Tea is the most popular drink in the country, and the Ceylon Tea Museum can attest to that claim. It has an impressive collection of old tea machinery and various other exhibits related to the tea industry.