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Second largest city in Sri Lanka
Photo: Ford prefect reporter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kandy is in the centre of Sri Lanka 125 km away from Colombo and is generally recognised as the island nation's cultural capital. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Sri Dalada Maligawa
It houses a tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Although you should expect that you will not be able to view the actual tooth itself, the casket within which it is said to be is displayed twice a day. The first is at 5:30AM and the second which could be the best time to view this ornate casket is around 6:30PM. Besides, Sri Dalada Maligawa museum can be found on its second and third floor.
It now houses archeological museum.
World's first International Buddhist Museum.
Under reconstruction since early 2016
Houses an interesting collection of Sri Lankan relics. It is usually quiet and the museum workers are more than happy to provide a free tour.
Here lie the remains of several dozen, mostly British, soldiers who died from various causes during the colonial era. The cemetery is extremely well-maintained by its caretaker, who will gladly complement some of the more fascinating tombstones with a little back-story.
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
The ominipresent Buddha statue seen from everywhere in Kandy city. Take a tuk tuk ride to the Temple or walk, just 1 km away from the Kandy city. The way to the temple may not be easy to locate, you might have to take a three wheeler or ask a local, when in doubt just walk up and follow the colourful Buddhist flags over the road. This Buddha statue is best viewed from far away. Once you get onto the premises it is no longer easy to see. Plus it is not a very peaceful place as temples go.
Buddha statue high is 88 feet (26.8 m) and it's on the top of a hill about 850 feet (259 m) from the city level.
Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
The forest was planned and maintained as the part of the Royal palace complex of the Sinhala Kings. A patch of tropical rain forest still survives and if you don't come across it, it is still a wonderful walk. You are guaranteed to come across plenty of monkeys and some tranquil ponds. Wear long trousers after rain, and take some salt as there are lots of leeches about.
It offers panoramic view of Kandy and its artificial lake.
Wace Park
Small little park with pond with dozens of kissing couples who try to hide from everybody else under their umbrellas.
The best botanical garden in Sri Lanka and one of the best in the region. It dates back to the ancient kings of the country although the British changed the look of it. The British are said to have used the gardens to grow trees that could not be grown at south-west London Kew gardens. The large banyan tree, the orchid house, the suspension bridge, and the bats are some of the main attractions.
From bus terminal adjacent to Kandy's clock tower, take any bus headed to Peradeniya, including No 724, and expect a travel time of around half an hour.
The second university of Sri Lanka, established in 1942 in affiliation with former 'The University of Ceylon'. This has the largest university library in South Asia which is seven storyed. Tremendous beauty of this university has been appreciated over decades. Off the university bounds, Hanthana mountains can be hiked. On the opposite side, largest river of Sri Lanka, the River Mahaweli flows. The beauty of site can be markedly seen in March–April season.
Formerly known as Pitakande Military Cemetery, it is one of the most beautifully landscaped and maintained war cemeteries in the world. There is one Commonwealth burial of the World War I and a further 196 Commonwealth burials of the World War II commemorated in the cemetery. In addition there are four Foreign National and two non world war burials. The range of nationalities laid to rest comes from the records of the War cemetery, and include 107 Britons, 35 East Africans, 26 Sri Lankans, 23 Indians, six Canadians, three Italians and one Frenchman.
The ancient Tea Factory of Hantana Estate located 5 km away from Kandy has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Sri Lankan tea, run by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Museum excursion takes about 15 minutes and finishes with cup of complimentary tea, after everybody is thrown into a tea shop with quite inflated prices.
Although more an orphanage to make the owners money than a place caring for elephants, it has about seventy semi-tame elephants roaming "freely" around this wonderful sanctuary. Feeding and bathing times are especially enjoyable. You can either hire a taxi to take you there or, if travelling on a budget, get a bus to Kegalle (about an hour away) for about Rs 200, asking the driver to drop you off at the turn for Pinnewala which is 5 km or so before you reach the town, and catch another local bus for the last 6 km or so. Definitely worth the trip if you support such questionable practices.
Gadaladeniya Rajamaha Temple
Embekke Devalaya
A unique looking spiral tower that you can walk up. The tower is 48 m high and it is located on the top of a mountain, so it has good views of the surrounding hilly area, even when standing at viewpoints beside the tower. The stairs to the top progressively narrow to such an extent that people cannot pass each other going up and down except at certain wider points, creating significant congestion, especially, if you are trying to traveling within the top third of the tower. Given the congestion, most visitors do not travel all the way to the top. The tower is located within Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex and you must pay the entrance fee before going up the mountain to reach the tower.
You can participate in discussions about Buddhism, meditation or you can buy some introductory materials about Buddhism.
A Buddhist retreat which offers experiences of a monastic lifestyle. You can engage in daily activities including yoga classes, meditation and discussions.
If there's a cricket match on, spend a day at the Asgiriya Stadium, possibly the world's prettiest test match venue, and certainly the only one that for most of the year is simply a school sports ground (Trinity College).
Great local eatery just one block back from the main street. Full range of rottis, rice and curry and hoppers (evening only). Good service and very affordable prices.
For snacks or traditional Sri Lankan meals. Scenic view of the City, from its first floor balcony, where they serve a Sri Lankan buffet, but this tends to sell out by about 7:30PM.
Famous for quality snacks. Captain's Table is upstairs from Devons. Good Sri Lankan and South Indian food.
Good food and best scenery.
It sells excellent Chinese food with huge portions of rice or noodles. It's clean, air-conditioned, and serves beers and wines.
Just opposite to the Anniewatta tunnel. On the top of Nihal's Super. Good quality Mid-Eastern and South-Indian food for affordable prices.
In front of the Hindu Kovil. Serves good quality food, both Western and Eastern.
Near the Temple of the tooth, it serves good wraps and western and eastern food in a nice environment.
Bamboo Garden Restaurant
Slightly Chilled is the most famous restaurant and bar in Kandy. Travellers flock there to catch the sunset, meet other travelers and enjoy the views and the food, which is Asian fusion of Chinese dishes and Western pub grub. Run by an English guy who has lived in Asia since 1993 and his Chinese wife, are very hands-on and try to make everyone feel welcome. With a free pool table at the back and live sports bar showing premiership football, a view of the lake and city, Live music and Dj at night.
The cheapest option in the city. The Buddhist monks are friendly and the building is a quiet retreat from Kandy's noisy streets. You'll find it after one kilometre on the right hand side, on the road which begins at the Tooth Temple, leading away from Kandy Lake.
Family run little guest house. Three rooms only.
Managed by some of the members of the churches of Kandy.
Eco-friendly retreat for writers and artists, but it also welcomes general holiday makers with facilities from laundry to laser printing. Although it nestles in a little hollow adjoining a tiny virgin forest 'Udawatta Kele Royal Forest Sanctuary', it is only ten minutes' walk from the city centre. It has two double rooms and one family suite, all of them enabled with broadband internet.
Serves breakfast, lunch & dinner. Offers WiFi, laundry, tuk tuk rides.
View on the lake and a part of the city. Hot water and very clean rooms. Air-con and non air-con rooms. The breakfast is not included in the price if not asked. Beware of the owner's "free" tuk-tuk scam: your driver will demand an extortionate sum of money once you arrive at your destination.
Two star hotel. 73 standard rooms. The onsite restaurant serves a variety of local and international dishes.
The couple who run the place are all smiles and very helpful. Rooms are sparkling clean, comfy beds, en suite with hot and cold water. Some beautiful views across Kandy from their balcony and from a couple of rooms, room 6 especially has floor to ceiling windows. No air-con, but you do not need it.
One of the oldest hotels in Kandy. Offers ideal geataway spots to watch the Maligawa Perahera (the procession).
Heavens Holiday Resort is a nice clean guest house near the Kandy city. They have 3 rooms and 3 bathrooms. One room has a private balcony and others with public balcony. Home made foods are offered the 1st floor restaurant.
Hotel with scenic hillside views.
100 rooms. All rooms and suites have private balconies overlooking the valley or mountainside. Offers Ayurvedic spa treatments.
Located 500 m above sea level with an outdoor pool. It offers air-conditioned rooms featuring spacious interiors. Each room is equipped with a mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and a TV with cable channels.
This 100-room five-star hotel has restaurants with a variety of international cuisine, 24-hour room service, a coffee shop, an Ayurvedic health centre, a shopping arcade, a sauna and wedding, conference and banquet facilities. Evening entertainment includes disco, karaoke, live bands, oriental bands, bingo and cultural shows.
Offers rooms equipped with bathroom amenities, eelcome pack (water, tea, coffee or fruit juice) and coffee/tea maker. On-site restaurant, dining areas, business centre, housekeeping and 24-hours back-up power supply.
Overlooks Hunas Falls. Has nine superior rooms, 19 deluxe rooms and suites. Room facilities include a mini bar, satellite TV and IDD telephone. All rooms are centrally air conditioned. Offers conferencing and banqueting facilities.
Nature resort.
Five star hotel.
The view from this resort is one of the better ones in the area, decked in Kandyan décor. Not all rooms have their own private balcony and bathroom.
Colonial hotel. 93 rooms.
40 rooms.
77 air-con rooms with piped music and hot and cold running water. 40 of them include a TV, a mini bar and bath.
Four-star 29 deluxe room hotel associated with The Topaz Hotel, also on a hilltop.
Spacious rooms, suites and garden chalets. The bungalow maintains its Victorian era architecture and furnishings.
Santani
Ayurveda, yoga, meditation and other wellness-related packages. Far away from the city on a misty mountain top. Onsite meals, infinity pool, yoga pavilion and spa.
Boutique 4-room hillside property on the Hanthana ridge above Kandy city, built in the shape of a heart. Panoramic views of Kandy valley from all rooms. Starlink WiFi; BYOB rooftop bar; in-house chef serving Sri Lankan home cooking; complimentary tuk-tuk transfers to/from Kandy railway station. Couples-focused; not suited to families.
State-owned handicraft shop. You will be able to buy a lot of genuine handicrafts made by traditional artisans (don't be deceived by the fake products available with most tourist shops).
Ultra modern shopping complex opened in 2009 with space for over 400 shops. By the time of its opening it is the country's most modern and biggest shopping complex.
Kandyan masks, jewellery, coins, plates, textiles, etc.
Visitors can see how these articles are made. This is a centre for traditional arts and crafts with a government-sponsored sales room and fixed prices.
High quality modern batik.
Stocking the same range of foods, spices, herbal tonics, crafts, textiles and factory-reject designer-brand clothing, it caters to the locals and is government run so there is one price and it is 200-300% cheaper than the tourist shops. Sri Lanka is known for its fabulous spices in diversity, quantity and quality. Cardamom and cinnamon, nutmeg and chili, pepper and turmeric and amazing smelling vanilla.
By bus
From Colombo take bus #1, more than 70 per day, 3¼ hours. It is a red public bus, it will be crowded, hot and will take ages, but only costs Rs 155 (2023).
By taxi
If you're just arriving in Sri Lanka, heading for Kandy, you can hire a taxi from one of the stalls in the arrivals hall at Colombo airport for about Rs 6,000. The journey takes about 3 hours.
By hired mini-vans
Hired mini-vans with a driver are available from Colombo through travel agencies and hotel concierges. The road to Kandy is astonishingly chaotic and frightening even for seasoned travellers.
By air
Cinnamon Air operates daily scheduled flights that depart from Colombo (Bandaranaike International Airport) which reaches Polgolla Reservoir, Kandy in an hour and from Colombo City (Waters Edge)…
The local "Three-Wheelers" ('Tuk-Tuk) are an amazingly cheap (if you know how to haggle!
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