Joanna James
As the second largest city in Sri Lanka, Kandy is not only a popular day-trip destination but a heritage hub in its own right. The city is home to some of the island's most iconic attractions, and here are 5 of the main points of interest to visit during a visit to Kandy.
The Temple of the Tooth is one of the main reasons that some locals and tourists head to Kandy in the first place, and a tour of the city would truly be incomplete without visiting this iconic temple. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site of global renown, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, as it is also known, is a cultural landmark in Sri Lanka. Housing the dental remains of Lord Buddha, the temple is contained within what was once a royal palace. The Sri Dalada Maligawa, as it is known among locals, also takes centre stage when it comes to the Kandy Esala Perahera, which takes place in July each year.
Ranked among Kandy's most serene green spaces, the Royal Botanical Garden or the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is another popular point of interest in Kandy. Set up in the late 1800s, the venue is one of the oldest parks in the country and was conceived to be the island's own version of the Kew Gardens. Declared a botanical hub in 1843, these sprawling gardens remain among the best recreational hotspots in Kandy. Divided into several zones, the leafy confines of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden are also used as a prime picnic ground among local families and couples according to travel blogs like Kandy Escapes. Tourists and locals who travel to Kandy for a day trip also find it the perfect place to rest and unwind.
Rising majestically above the sacred city of Kandy, the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue stands tall, accompanied by an encompassing Buddhist monastery, forming a captivating cultural landmark to discover within the city. Although it was constructed in 1992, this hilltop temple, with its staggering Buddha statue, offers some of the best views of the city from its 88-foot-high location.
A trip to Kandy also allows visitors the chance to delve into the tea industry based in the island's central highlands. A tour of the Geragama Tea Factory is the best way to understand how a cup of Ceylon Tea is produced step-by-step by plucking young tea leaves from the tea estates. As one of the oldest tea factories in the country, Geragama Tea Factory offers travellers an in-depth look at how tea is processed and packaged to retain the unique flavour and aroma of Ceylon Tea.
Located a stone's throw away from the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake is not only the city's best boating area but also a leisure hub with a rich historic legacy. The lake had been the scene of many a royal beheading and drowning incident, and its length has now been transformed into jogging paths where one can enjoy a morning run or feed the ducks in the river.
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.
