Joanna James
The ancient hill capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is a charming city situated on a plateau backed by dense mountains and rainforests. Uncovering the gracious tea plantations, seeking heritage sites, and enjoying unique vistas is easy with a few insights and smart planning as you will discover below.
Once you get to Kandy, which can be by taxi from the Airport, by bus or by train, visiting places of interest is best done by the famous 03 wheeled tuk-tuks, which can easily carry 03 people. This is ideal considering the cost, the traffic snarls at city locations plus riding with a local from the area familiar with the sites to take you around.
Kandy has a range of accommodation options to suit many budgets, whilst those in the city centre are excellent, they can also be pricey. Look for options which are not far from the city yet are closer to nature such as the nature resort Kandy. These give you a feel for nature and are more modestly priced.
This is a beautiful artificial lake at the heart of the city built in 1807 by the last King of Sri Lanka, though much smaller in size now, this protected lake gives oodles of pleasure to locals and visitors who enjoy a walk around it at dawn to bask in the serenity and beauty with no charge and plenty of cool breezes around.
This is a sacred temple and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kandy. Buddhists from all over the world pay homage to this temple due to a sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha being enshrined in an inner chamber of this temple. It is worth visiting this temple to get a feel of utmost serenity and admire the fine architecture and murals within the temple. The entrance fee is about 6 USD.
Step out and explore different kinds of local dishes at restaurants, cafes and even on the street. Kandy boasts many places to eat in and around the city. If your choice is Western food even that is available in the form of burgers, wraps, pastas etc. Whilst Sri Lankan hoppers, rice and curry and Kottu are delightful dishes available at reasonable prices. Ice cream is another treat enjoyed by many visitors from Mountbatten Bungalow, especially to cool off the tropical heat.
Use a tuk-tuk ride to get you to Giragama Estate built in 1903. Plucking of tea is mostly done by females by hand. A free tour through the factory is insightful with processing, withering, oxidation, rolling and shaping etc. and ends in a charming tasting room where you can sample tea and make purchases as needed.
These extensive gardens provide a treat for your senses and are well worth spending time on at a nominal fee of 6 USD. Situated at an elevation of 460 m above sea level, it encompasses 4000 species of plants with an extensive collection of orchids, spices, medicinal plants, and an array of flower gardens. Enjoy the tree-lined paths, and quaint walkways as you stroll through.
This Buddha statue is at the Bahirawakande Temple atop a small hill. The statue of Lord Buddha 25 m in height is visible from many places in the city. Most visitors enjoy this serene location offering a spectacular view of the city, especially when the city is lit up at night.
Get a feel of local life by visiting this exciting market. Fresh fruits and vegetables, authentic Sri Lankan spices, herbal oils, famous Sri Lankan tea, and handicraft attract your attention in addition to the friendly stall owners. Prices are much lower here although a bit of haggling is needed.
Experience this cultural performance of dance and music with a variety of performances held every evening at 5.30 pm at Kandy Lake Club. Some of the dance forms will leave a deep impression on you. The ticket cost is a nominal amount of 5 USD per person.
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.
