sri lanka
TOP 13 THINGS TO DO IN KANDY
If you are planning your holiday in Sri Lanka, Kandy is a city that must make it to your things-to-do-list in Sri Lanka. Known as the cultural capital of the island, Kandy is where you will be shown the cultural essence of the island. With many attractions, historical monuments, temples, and all sorts of happenings, Kandy will take your breath away at every corner.
Let’s have a look at the top things to do in Kandy that will create amazing moments in your holiday in Sri Lanka.
1. Pay a visit to the Temple of the Tooth
If you are visiting Kandy, the sacred temple of the tooth is one of the must-visit places in Kandy that you can’t afford to miss. The Buddhist temple that showcases the regality of the Sri Lankan royals and cultural essence of the island is one of the most important temples for the Buddhists. What makes the temple special among the others is that it houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha (left Canine).
The best time to visit the place is during the festival season which is from June to August. The festival season, also known as the Kandy Esala perahera season is when the annual procession organized by the temple of the tooth parade the streets of Kandy. The process is comprised of traditional dancers, whip crackers, fire dancers, drummers, torch-bearers, elephants and much more traditional dancing items and musical instruments. The festival is unique, vibrant and breathtaking. Usually, it is held for 5-6 days and the last day is believed to be the most extravagant.
If you can’t make it during these months, make sure to visit the place from 5.30 a.m. – 7.00 a.m., 9.30 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. or 6.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. so you will be able to witness the daily service(Thewawa) performed for the tooth relic, thrice a day, every day for centuries. The wood carvings, stone carvings, wall murals and museum are some of the highlights of the place that will show you another facet of Sri Lanka.
2. Take a walk around Kandy Lake
Located in the middle of the city, Kandy lake is one of the most popular attractions in the area among locals as well as tourists. The glistening waters of the lake with the small island in the middle adds to the beauty of Kandy. Make sure to make time to take a walk around the lake enjoying the shades of the trees as you enjoy a juicy mango slices with chilli powder. It’s one of the best ways to unwind amidst the busy city of Kandy.
You can also take a boat ride in the lake and enjoy the glistening ripples of the waters and the cool breeze that indeed will calm your soul.
3. Enjoy a shopping spree in KCC
Who doesn’t like to enjoy a shopping spree and treat themselves during their holiday? If you too are a shopaholic, Kandy won’t disappoint you. Head to the KCC, Kandy City Center one of the biggest shopping malls in Sri Lanka, which will offer you a range of products from branded clothing, gem and jewellery, electronics, handicrafts to much more. From play areas, restaurants, cafes and parking areas, KCC has everything for you and your family to enjoy a half-day shopping trip.
4. Hike Udawatte Kele sanctuary
Why not opt for a hike in nature to immerse yourself in the serenity of tropical greeneries while listening to the chirping birds! Udawatte Kele sanctuary is for you if you like to enjoy a trekking adventure. Located only a 1 km away from the temple of the tooth Udawatte Kele is a nature reserve that offers you perfect opportunities to get yourself lost in nature. With a diversity of tropical plants and trees, the place is ideal to relax disconnecting from the hustle-bustle of the city. You will also be able to witness small animal species including birds, monitors, squirrels… etc during your adventure.
5. Enjoy a Cultural show
One of the best ways to experience the culture of any country is to experience traditional dancing and music. Kandy offers you the perfect opportunity for this with many cultural shows that showcase the best of the Sri Lankan traditional dancing and music items.
The shows are comprised of famous Kandyan dances, drum and flute performances and even traditional fire dancing which will take your breath away from start to finish.
6. Explore the beautiful Royal Botanical Garden
Head to Royal botanical garden in Kandy, another must-visit place in Kandy to spend some time in nature enjoying the well-mowed lawns and beautiful landscapes and colourful flowerbeds. Spend some time enjoying the mild rays of the sun, the refreshing air and the smell of the tropical flowers and celebrate small things in life.
The large orchid collection is one of main highlights of the place. You will also see many spices, medicinal plants and palm trees at the park. Boarded by the Mahaweli River from one side, the park is the perfect location for some Insta-worthy photos.
7. Plan a tour to the World Buddhist Museum
For those are interested in the history of Buddhism, World Buddhist Museum is one of the must-visit places in Kandy. Established by the temple of the tooth in 2011 the museum showcases the birth and expansion of Buddhism across Asia. Discover the differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism practices and how Buddhism is practiced in different countries around the world. With many Buddha statues and artifacts, the place offers you a truly valuable educational tour.
8. Visit the Garrison Cemetery Kandy
Established in 1817, Garrison cemetery is an old British graveyard where there are 186 non-world-war graves of men, women and children who are all British. Most of them are believed to die from tropical diseases such as Malaria and cholera at the time.
The place is ideal to enjoy some quiet time enjoying the surrounding nature and getting to know of the unique stories written in headstones of graves.
9. Admire the wood carvings of Embekke Temple
Known for its world-famous wood carvings, Emekke devalaya is a temple dedicated to God Skanda Kumara which attracts hundreds of devotees from all over the island. Some of the famous wood carvings that showcase the talent of local woodworkers are sneezing face (Kimbihi Moona), dancing women, mother with child, the double-headed eagle, wrestlers and soldiers. With amazingly intricated details, the carvings of the temple will take your breath away while offering you an oasis of peace to indulge yourself in.
10. Uncover the beauty of Gadaladeniya temple
Gadaladeniya is an old Buddhist temple located near Kandy. It’s one of the largest stone-carved Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka built with South Indian architectural elements. built by King Buwanekabahu IV in the year 1344, the temple is old and has many amazing stone carvings that will blow your mind. If you are looking for a place to spend some quiet time to sit back and relax and listen to the amazing stories of the place, you must visit Gadaladeniya temple.
11. Witness the beauty of Bhahirawakanda Temple
Situated only 2 km away from the sacred temple of the tooth, Bahirawakanda is another famous Buddhist temple in the area tourists flock around every day. The large Buddha statue of the place that can be viewed from miles away is one of the main highlights that blow the minds of the visitors. Located on a hill, the temple offers you magnificent views of the surrounding landscapes and the mountains.
12. Explore the local market
Explore the local life and enjoy the local produce of the area walking along the narrow streets of the local market where you can witness large piles of fresh tropical vegetables, fruits, spices, and all sorts of knickknacks. Experience the bargaining buyers and sellers while enjoying delicious street snacks and get a deeper look into the local lifestyle of the area.
13. Watch a Cricket match
Sri Lanka and Cricket are inseparable topics. It doesn’t matter whether you are a cricket fan or not, make time to enjoy a cricket match during your holiday in Kandy at the Pallekele International cricket stadium. Experience the unique cricket culture of Sri Lanka, dance to a ‘Papare’ band, get a face painting and enjoy a cricket match watching and cheer with the crowd for sixers and wickets.
Traveling to Kandy
Located Three hours away from Colombo, this city is one of the must visit cities in Sri Lanka.
The best way to reach Kandy is by express trains which are starting from Colombo Fort Railway station. Even though you can take a Bus or a Taxi, the trains are the most comfortable and the fastest way of going to Kandy. And the train ride from Colombo to Kandy is considered as one of the most scenic train routes in Sri Lanka.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of accommodations in Kandy and below are our recommendations.
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