Joanna James
Sri Lanka is popular for its white sandy beaches, but the country's central hills are just as impressive. Nestled between the misty hills and dense forests of the hill country of Sri Lanka is an oasis of charming serenity, the Kandy city, which offers a myriad of magnificent sites for you to explore.
Needless to say, the world-famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the top attraction of the city. It is one of the holiest and most prominent religious sites in Sri Lanka. What makes this place so special is the real tooth of Buddha the temple houses, which is enclosed inside a golden casket. You will also be greeted with colourful paintings inside the temple and breathtaking views overlooking Kandy Lake.
The crown jewel of Kandy, the Royal Botanic Gardens, is located in Peradeniya, just outside the heart of the city. Extending over a whopping 60 hectares, Royal Botanical Gardens is a calming and peaceful place for anyone to spend some relaxing time while taking in the natural scenery. Even if you dedicate an entire day to tour the park, it will still be hard for you to cover the whole place. Get your camera ready, as there will be plenty of Instagram-worthy snaps for you to capture.
The thick forest located on the hilly terrains that border the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the Udawattakele Forest Reserve. The quiet nature makes for a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. While walking through the forest reserve, you will be able to spot several species of mammals, reptiles, and numerous birdlife.
Wales Park, also known as The Royal Palace Park, is a small park located in the heart of Kandy, overlooking Kandy Lake and most parts of the city. While the park offers an extensive collection of plants and flowers for you to enjoy, it is often famous as a vantage point to the city with breathtaking views. Kandy is at its most beautiful during the night, which you can witness on the route to the park as you won't be able to access the park at night.
Talking about the magnificence of Kandy, many hotels complement the beauty of the city. If you are looking for a fine resort in Kandy, you are in luck as there are many places for you to choose from, including the likes of Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy.
Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue is the big white Buddha Statue you can spot from many parts of Kandy city. The temple also offers an excellent viewpoint to the city, one that is totally different from what you can experience at Wales Park mentioned above. To enjoy panoramic views of Kandy, you will have to climb up a long trail of stairs, but it will be totally worth it once you reach the top.
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