Kandy: Best things to Do

Purna
21/08/2021

Intro

Sri Lanka’s second largest city Kandy is well known for its ‘Temple of the sacred relic tooth’ which is said to contain a tooth of Buddha. This scenic and sacred city in the central province of Sri Lanka contains a few main highlights considered to be the must-see attractions of Sri Lanka.

Here are the 10 most popular things to do in Kandy that most of its visitors have preferred.

Kandy is the capital city of central Sri Lanka, having Matale and Nuwara Eliya as the two other main Towns. Kandy is also part of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, two other plots in the triangle are Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which are also significantly important cities being the 1st and the 2nd kingdoms of ancient Sri Lankan history.

This cultural capital of Sri Lanka is situated in the centre of mountains (hill country) and has a cooler climate and peaceful atmosphere giving any visitor relaxing vibes.

Transport Links

The city is well connected with its transport links to almost anywhere in the country, Both Train and private and public bus services are available at visitors’ convenience.

However, the Train can be faster and cheaper also a range of tickets such as 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class are available to buy at local railway counters.

If you’d like to skip the slow queues at local railway counters, you can get your tickets online here in 12go In just a matter of few minutes.

Bit of History

Kandy used to be the last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom before the British era commenced in 1815.

The Kandyan king “Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe”, who ruled from 1798 to 1815 became the last recognised king in Sri Lankan history before the British overtook Kandy in 1815.

Kandy has one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist temples, the Temple of Tooth’. The temple was partially damaged when bombarded by LTTE in 1998.

Statistics

Population ≈ 130000
Area: 28km2

Top 10 Things to Do in Kandy

1. Visit Temple of the sacred tooth relic, "Dalada Maligawa"

So-called “Sri Dalada Maligawa”, the Temple of the Tooth is undoubtedly Kandy’s main attraction. Because Sri Dalada Maligawa houses the teeth of Budda, it is named the “sacred temple of tooth relic”.

Made in the 16th Century, designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988.

2. Wander around the Lake Kandy : Bogambara River

Kandy lake is located next to the temple of relic tooth. Built-in 1807 by the last king of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe. Walking around the lake can take up to 2 hours. Prepare your walk in the late afternoon/evening to avoid the day time rush and extreme heat.

3. Making a day excursion in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Created around the 18th century, Peradeniya Botanical Garden is said to be the largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka covering a large area of 150 hectares.

The garden is only about 6km from Kandy city so If you’d like to escape a bit away from chaotic city life, consider visiting here to have a peaceful time strolling around this massive garden.

Also called the ‘Royal Botanical Gardens’, this is a nice place to see thousands of species of trees, herbs, and flora found here.

4. Visit Gadaladeniya Temple

Gadaladeniya temple is located about 1km from the small town of Pilimathalawa in between the Kandy-Colombo main road.

The history of the Gadaladeniya temple goes back 7 centuries, the temple is said to have been built in the 14th century under the advice of King Buvenekabahu 4.

5. Visit Lankathilake Temple

Lankathilake temple is located just about 3km from Pembroke Devala. The temple is said to have been built in the 14th century by King Buvanekabahu.

Divided into two parts Hindu and Buddhist, the temple perfectly represents the Kandy era culture.

6. Visit Embekke Devale: The house of Crafts

Embekke Devala is found about 15km towards the countryside away from Kandy city. The device was built by the ancient king of Sri Lanka called Parakramabahu 3 during the 14th century.

The temple is well known for its carvings, including wooden pillars, eagles, swans, dancing women, and wrestling men.

7. Kandy Esala Perahera: Festival of the tooth

Esala perahera is considered one of the colourful events in Sri Lanka that are closely connected with the Tooth Relic.

Asia’s one of the spectacular events runs for 15 nights during July and August. The parade involved thousands of colourful Kandyan dancers, drummers, and hundreds of Elephants and tuskers and the feast became progressive and delightful during the last five nights.

The last night of the festival becomes the major colorful night of the event featuring Thousands of dancers, drummers, tuskers, and acrobats in front of a massive crowd the sacred relic tooth is carried to the ‘Dalada maligava’ by the ‘Maligava tusker’.

8. Train trip to Ella: The most scenic train ride

Operated from Kandy to Ella and vice versa, this train ride is considered the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka and one of the most beautiful train trips in the world.

Adventure train ride consists of Approximately 6-8 hours long trips passing by the most breathtaking sceneries like misty mountains, waterfalls, and tea plantations that are naturally gifted by the country hills of Sri Lanka.

Why every visitor should consider this trip? Ella is a beautiful hill country village surrounded by lush greenery with few more attractions in place. Waterfalls, Hiking paths, Adventure activity parks and viewpoints are a few.

It also offers its visitors the best experience to have local meals. Whether any type of traveller you are, there are always options to find bars, cafes or restaurants that serve foods and drinks according to your taste and budget.

Therefore, it is a place to rest or stay leisurely at least for a few days away from bustling city towns.

Ella is a small and compact hill country town that has taken traveller’s attention due to its scenic beauty. The main centre area is full of bars and restaurants to cater for the demands of visitors from all over the world.

9. Train trip to visit Nuwara Eliya

Taking a train ride towards the country’s old English colonial town has been a popular fact among the visitors to Kandy.

So-called “Little England”, the Country’s topmost town has been most popular for its exquisite tea production. World-renowned exported “Ceylon Tea” is produced in Nuwara Eliyas’ tea plantations with cooler climates.

The Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train ride takes about 4 hours as the train reaches parts of high elevation, and the journey back to Kandy takes about 2.5 hours.

Use the form in the sidebar to book your tickets online.

Reaching there

Transportation

If you are looking for sightseeing and wildlife, adventure, honeymoon, cultural tour or pilgrimages, I can help you customize your tour according to individual wishes and requirements. Feel free to contact me mentioning your specific requirements.

Finding Accommodation

All major online booking portals still works in Sri Lanka as well to find short or long term accommodation. If you travel for short term, use your favorite booking platforms mentioned below. Choose the favourite platform according to your interest.