Joanna James
As one of the most visited day trip destinations in Sri Lanka, Kandy is a sacred city that's a historic epicentre on the island. Home to some of Sri Lanka's top cultural highlights, here's a list of a few must-visit points of interest in the hill capital.
Regarded as the holiest relic in Sri Lanka, the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is contained within Kandy's iconic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Attracting hundreds of visitors daily, this ancient palace that has been converted into a resplendent temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site like no other. Apart from the sacred rituals that are performed daily in the Dalada Maligawa, the venue's illustrious museum and the nearby Kandy Lake are some of Kandy's main points of interest. Believed to have been constructed in 1600, the temple and its surrounding grounds remain a spiritual epicentre for Buddhists around the world.
Spread out across 147 acres, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest botanical hubs in the country. As the largest horticultural attraction in Sri Lanka, no visit to Kandy would be complete without taking in the verdant surroundings of this garden occupied by 4000 species of flora. With ten thousand types of plants and trees to its name, some of the main highlights of a visit to the Peradeniya Gardens are walking by the Giant Bamboo of Burma or exploring the medicinal and rose garden in the venue.
Managed by the Commonwealth War Commission Office, the Commonwealth War Cemetery is a hauntingly beautiful attraction in Kandy which serves as the last resting place for soldiers who perished in the Second World War. The more than 180 tombs include army burials that have been transferred from various corners of the country to this particular graveyard until 1958.
Considered one of the best lookout points in Kandy, the views are not the only reason to hike up to the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue. Easily accessible via a flight of steps, the 88-foot-high sculpture of Lord Buddha stares out over Kandy Town from its home in Bahirava Kanda. The perfect time to reach the summit of Devil's Hill or Bahirava Kanda is during the late afternoon hours as the area surrounding the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is ranked among the top place to view the sunset.
As the main shopping hub in Kandy, one can stock up on souvenirs, clothing, fashion items, accessories and batiks at this mega mall. The food court of the Kandy City Centre is equally well known for its range of restaurants and cuisines so don't forget to sit down for a meal after a shopping spree.
Situated in the misty reaches of Hantane, the Ceylon Tea Museum was established as early as 1925. Offering visitors a glimpse of Sri Lanka's tea heritage and history, the building is spread out over 4 floors and is easily accessible to those based at the Hunas Falls Hotel Kandy or any other resort in Kandy.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
