Where is Kandy? Tatyana Gaiduk's blog. What those planning a vacation should know about
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The picturesque town of Kandy is located right in the middle of Sri Lanka, 115 km northeast of Colombo, on the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga River, which makes Kandy's climate pleasant and fresh. The city is considered the cultural capital of the island nation and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka, Kandy preserved ancient traditions even during the time of British rule. Residents of the city are still proud of their heritage and highly respect Buddhist values.
In recent years, Kandy's cultural heritage has been somewhat modified by the influence of immigrants from other parts of the country. Locals are mourning the gradual disappearance of the image of the "honest Kandyan" as portrayed in colonial literature, and tourists are learning to take better care of their belongings. But, one way or another, Kandy is a peaceful and safe city compared to others on the island, and it maintains a noticeably lower crime rate.
In the center of the city there is an artificial lake, the creation of the last king of Kandy. And in its center, on a small island, stands the Summer Palace, where the king once kept his harem.
How to get there
From the capital of the country, Colombo, there are express trains to Kandy (first class must be booked in advance), taxis (journey time 3 hours, 10,000 LKR), minivans with driver (book at a travel agency) or air-conditioned buses.
Prices on the page are as of August 2018.
Search for flights to Colombo (closest airport to Kandy)
Shopping and shopping in Kandy
Kandy is a center of folk crafts, famous for its craftsmen. Masters of straw and bamboo weaving, silversmiths, and woodcarvers make (and sell) magnificent products here, some of the best in Sri Lanka.
Popular hotels in Kandy
Entertainment and attractions in Kandy
On the shore of the lake is Dalada Maligawa - the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It is believed that the Tooth appeared on the island in 311 in the hair of Princess Hemamala. The city where the Tooth of Buddha was located was considered the state capital. When the Tooth arrived in Kandy in 1590, King Vilamaladarmasuriya I built a two-story temple on the grounds of the royal palace, where the relic was placed.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is part of a huge complex of buildings: to the north of the temple there were the Royal Palace, the Queen's Palace, and the Audience Hall. To the east of the temple, on the border with the lake, is the bathhouse of Queen Ulpe Ge, converted into a library by the British (and now a police station).
Near Dalada Maligawa there are three Hindu temples dedicated to the gods Nata, Pattini (the goddess of chastity and health, popular among Buddhists) and Vishnu. Just a block away is Kataragama Devala, one of the city's most popular Hindu temples, dedicated to the god of war Skanda. Another prominent landmark of the city is the so-called Royal Pavilion at the foot of the mountains, built by the English governor in 1834. Currently, the pavilion is the official residence of the President of Sri Lanka in Kandy.
Since Kandy is the religious capital and center of Buddhism in the country, two of the main monasteries of the country are located here: Asgiriya and Malwatte.
Trekking
Trekking is the best way to see the real unique nature and culture of Kandy. There are many interesting routes around the city, such as the Asgiri Maha Viharaya Temple and Bahirawakande Hill. And also: trek to the Udawattakelle reserve, Lankathilake temple, along the Portuguese War road, Mount Alagalle, tea plantations and traditional villages.
In the east of Kandy, the temples of Gangaramaya, Galmaduwa and Degaldoruwa are worth visiting. And many other places: Ash and Nitre caves, Rathna waterfall, Sitakotuwa limestone cave, rice fields, Rantambe nature reserve and many other places.
The last route of our independent mini-trip was the city of Kandy. Surprisingly, I still doubted the success of this event and expected pitfalls and difficulties along the way. But for three days nothing happened to us, and the planned route strictly led us to the goal every time.
So, after visiting the beautiful city, we boarded a bus to Dambulla (60 rupees for two), and then from Dambulla we went to Kandy - the central province of Sri Lanka, famous, first of all, for its temple, where the real tooth of Buddha is kept!
It took us quite a long time to get to Kandy, though. So long that not only we, but also the weather had time to get tired. A mournful drizzling rain began, and Kandy remains in my memory as rainy with a sticky gray mist.
Having arrived at the place, we immediately went in search of the railway station: we had to buy tickets either “home” to Galle, or go to another one in the picturesque place of Nuwara Eliya to watch how nimble Sri Lankan women collect the most expensive and delicious food in the highlands tea in the world, and admire the beauty of this area. We knew that a special train goes there, it takes 4 hours, and this road is particularly beautiful. The only problem: tickets for this unique train need to be booked much in advance (say, a week in advance), tourists buy everything up!
Arriving at the station, we, of course, hoped for a miracle: suddenly some tourist turned out to have tickets. But the miracle did not happen. No, we could have taken another train, less comfortable (for the locals, so to speak) and we had to take whatever seats we had (i.e., it’s possible that we’d have to work with our elbows, etc.). But then this would extend the trip by another day, and then you would have to somehow get from Nuwara Eliya to Galle/Unawatuna, and this is another quest. At the box office we were asked to come up in the morning the next day: what if someone refuses the reservation?
Just in case, we checked about the return train to Halle. It turned out that there is such a train, it is direct, leaves early in the morning, 2nd class tickets (there is simply no 1st class there) cost 320 rupees per brother. The drive was about six hours. Tickets could also be purchased in the morning before the train departs.
Having found out everything and letting Buddha decide everything for us tomorrow, we went to the city.
Here, by the way, is a map of our route for 3 days, starting from Unawatuna, where, as you remember, we started:
So, Kandy . This city, like Anuradhapura and , is the historical capital of Sri Lanka and is included in the so-called “Cultural Triangle” as a must-see place. It is the third largest city in Sri Lanka and sits idyllically on the shores of a lake in the cool mountains, at the bend of the Mahaweli Ganga River.
Kandy is the English name and the Sinhalese name is Maha Nuwara, which means "Great City". Indeed, it houses one of Buddhism's greatest treasures: the tooth of the Enlightened One. Three times a day, when the beating of drums announces that the precious reliquary is about to be opened, the sanctuary is filled with people. Pilgrims pray, tourists take photographs... However, not everyone is able to see Buddha’s tooth with their own eyes.
Kandy is considered the religious center of Sri Lanka. As legend has it, almost 1,700 years ago, Princess Hemamala hid a Buddha tooth kept in India in her hair and brought it to Sri Lanka. The relic is sacredly revered throughout the island.
01. Clock tower near the train station. We immediately liked Kandy, it is much more cozy and pleasant than the noisy and chaotic one. Or maybe the reason was that it wasn’t so hot? Time on the clock: 14:55 Sri Lankan time. ;) And in the morning we conquered Sigiriya! 
02. Kandy is a green, neat city surrounded by mountains. We searched Dalada Maligawa- Temple of the Tooth Relic - and asked the locals for directions. One of them was so kind that he took us straight to the temple absolutely free of charge. 
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05. Busy traffic. Buses, porters, tukers, expensive and not so expensive cars - everything is mixed on the roads of Kandy. 
06. And here is the lake, on the shore of which the temple we need is located. 
07. The lake is actually artificial. It appeared in 1807 during the reign of the last king of Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe, and was named Kiri Mukhuda. 
08. Buddha is being taken somewhere. 
09. There are many houses on the hills along the lake; their lights illuminate the entire area at night, and a very beautiful view opens up from above. 
10. In the center of the lake is a small island on which, according to legend, the king’s harem was located. 
11. Entrance to the temple. The rain had just gotten heavier, and I was still lamenting that I wouldn’t be able to take pictures normally. Again, we had neither an umbrella nor a cape with us, so we stood under a large spreading tree for some time until we realized that the rain was not going to stop. 
12. Then they spat and headed towards the temple. By the way, it is better to visit it during tooth worship ceremonies - puja, which take place daily at 6:30, 10:30 and 19:30. But we still understood that we wouldn’t be able to see the tooth. so we decided to just explore the temple. 
13. Everything is shrouded in haze and the rain is hard to see here, but it was heavy! 
14. The temple itself is very elegant, beautiful and quite modest, in my opinion, inside. 
15. Visiting the temple is not free - the entrance ticket costs 1000 rupees (we divide by two and get the price in rubles). Of course, according to the already established tradition, we take off our shoes and walk/slap on the wet stones barefoot. Shoes must first be taken to a special storage room. 
16. Lankans are all in white. 
17. And we, tourists, as we have to :). I hesitated for a couple of seconds before taking off my shoes. There was no point in putting on socks: they would immediately become wet and so beeee. 
18. The legs of your humble servant as evidence of the purity of the “experiment” and respect for Buddhist traditions. The asphalt was quite warm, so no one caught a cold. And at the end I even enjoyed splashing around in the warm puddles. Feels like in childhood! :) 
19. Having bought tickets, we go up to the temple. 
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22. We walk along an elaborately decorated corridor. In general, the temple itself is beautifully decorated: there are frescoes, ivory carvings, and a figure of Buddha made of rock crystal. 
23. Everyone immediately begins to remove the altar with huge fang teeth. 
24. As you can see, the inside of the temple is quite ascetic. 
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26. You can move from one gallery to another. 
27. The Sacred Tooth itself is not here, and, as far as I understand, it’s still impossible to see it properly. It is treasured like the apple of the eye, and only seven precious caskets in the shape of a dagobah can be seen. 
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29. On the floor above we found many tourists crowding around the altar, and pilgrims praying at a distance, waiting for the ceremony to begin. 
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31. There are many lotus flowers here, everything is fragrant. 
32. And here is the altar itself, behind which the sacred relic is kept. 
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35. We decided not to confuse the worshipers with our idle curiosity and slowly moved on. 
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37. Another room next to the temple, where it is told and shown how the Tooth got to Sri Lanka. 
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40. Scenes from the life of Buddha. 
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42. We sat for a while in this room, admired the interior and remembered our entire journey over these few days. 
43. But the rain didn’t stop. However, it was not at all dissonant with the nature and views that surrounded us. On the contrary, a kind of meditative state was created when you understand that everything that comes is not eternal, but only the present moment is important, to be here and now. 
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After visiting the temple, we decided to have dinner and then head to our hotel, which was located somewhere in the “mountains”. Our authentic dinner, however, turned out to have not very pleasant consequences, which I already wrote about in a post about.
45. We booked a hotel with a poetic name Pearl House. In fact, the hotel is very good (though it costs 4,200 rupees per day), the friendly owner met us, showed us everything, and told us everything. And this was the best hotel during our entire trip around the country. Its only drawback: it is located on a hill, tuk-tuks don’t go there, so you have to walk, and since we got there in the dark, we had to climb up almost by touch. More precisely, we illuminated our way with a telephone flashlight, so as not to accidentally step on any living creatures in the dark. But the sensations are still the same, I’ll tell you! 
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47. There was no need for a mosquito net; there were no mosquitoes there. Already in the evening we were thinking about our further plan of action: should we go to Nuwar Eliya or should we return home to Unawatuna? As a result, fate in the form of food indigestion decided in favor of the return of the two prodigal parrots. 
Even before dark we got out of the hotel and got lost for some time, because... couldn't find the way down. We were either barked at by some dogs or frightened by all sorts of strange “birds,” but we courageously walked forward. Coming out onto the main road, we found another sleepy tukker and asked to take us to the station. There, to clear their conscience, they asked about the cancellation of the reservation and the availability of tickets to Nuwara Eliya, but there were none. Therefore, we bought 2nd class tickets for only 640 rupees for two and left Kandy early in the morning.
Unfortunately, we saw little: we never saw the huge and beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, which is located in the suburbs of the capital; we never saw the sunrise at our hotel, the view from which was stunning even at night. And, in general, the province of Kandy itself is worth staying here for a couple of days. Due to lack of time and, to be honest, funds, we were forced to return. Plus, traveling on an uneasy stomach is, you know, a thankless task.
48. We got into the carriage and drove across dawning Sri Lanka. By the way, the road from Kandy to Galle (or Colombo) is also considered very beautiful and picturesque, although this can hardly be understood from my pictures taken through a dirty carriage window at a fairly high speed. 
49. And yet it was a little magical to see how nature wakes up, and the night sky is gradually painted in soft pink pastel tones. It's an amazing feeling to watch the light conquer the darkness every time. 
50. At such moments you think that our land is the best thing you can imagine, and there is nothing more beautiful than it. As much as everything is harmonious in nature, we disharmonize it. 
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54. We passed rice fields, picturesque valleys, I observed all kinds of palm trees and lush tropical vegetation, the rising sun tickled my face with all its might, and I thanked God for our journey and everything that I saw and acquired during this time. 
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56. And, by the way, traveling on our own cost us exactly half as much as the option that was initially offered to us at the hotel and local travel agencies, and traveling with a backpack is very cool, let me tell you! ;) 
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Around 540 BC, the deceased Buddha was cremated. Fragments of the remains of the Buddha were divided into eight parts and transported to countries that profess Buddhism. The Buddha's tooth was brought to the island of Ceylon as a sacred relic in 311 by a Sinhalese princess who hid it in her thick hair. The tooth is stored in a casket, which is nested in other caskets. It is almost impossible to look at him: very few people receive such an honor.
The walls of the temple are decorated with episodes from the life of the Enlightened One, the ceilings are decorated with carvings, and the doors are lined with silver and ivory. In the lower tier sits a Buddha carved from a block of rock crystal, and one of the caskets contains a figure carved from a single emerald. A separate room is reserved for an exhibition of gifts from other countries (India, Thailand, China, Japan) - these are golden, white, yellow, green Buddhas.
The Sinhalese bring modest offerings to the temple: in the morning - juice and lotus flowers, in the afternoon - rice and curry, and in the evening - some kind of sweets and drinks.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic was built from granite, marble, ivory and valuable wood species. It is grandiose and beautiful; all the surrounding nature emphasizes its grandeur and fundamental nature. It is no coincidence that this structure was classified as a wonder of the world.
Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden is Asia's largest botanical garden, located in Peradeniya, a few kilometers south of the city of Kandy. The geographical location of the garden contributes to an increase in varieties of deciduous plants. The official opening of the botanical garden took place in 1821.
On the territory of 60 hectares, almost all possible plants that grow on the island bloom and smell: from orchids, the memorial ficus of King Edward VII, the Ceylon iron tree of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II to the spruce planted by Yuri Gagarin. The garden itself is located along the loop of Sri Lanka's largest river, the Mahaweli. Along the banks of the river, bamboo thickets prevent soil erosion and at the same time add charm to the surrounding landscape.
The garden is divided into several zones, reflecting different types of tropical flora, among which are particularly interesting: the Orchid Zone, the territory of which requires a special permit, the Houseplant Zone, famous for its unique leaf shapes and variety of colors, and the Palm Grove. The plants are kept company by flying foxes and flocks of cheerful monkeys.
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Royal Botanic Garden
The Sri Lanka Royal Botanical Garden is one of the best in all of Asia, located in Peradeniya, 12 km from Kandy. The park was founded in 1371 and has been protected and funded by the state throughout its existence. The park has high scientific value not only for Sri Lanka. The vast territory of the park amazes with its richness and diversity of flora from all over Ceylon. Just think: 175 species of different palm trees, 750 species of indoor plants, several thousand species of tropical flowers and other vegetation appear before the eye in colorful cascades.
The best gardeners, breeders and landscape designers have created a unique world of nature and beauty. A large number of trees have a strange, unusual appearance, with bizarre inflorescences and fruits. The park also has a unique gallery of memorial plants planted by famous people. The first memorial tree was planted by King Edward the Seventh, the second by Russian Tsar Nicholas II in 1891. One of the trees was planted by Yuri Gagarin.
In addition to numerous plants, the Royal Botanic Garden is interesting for its fauna. You will see a huge number of flying foxes, as well as a diverse world of monkeys.
The cost of visiting the botanical garden is $20.
The White House Restaurant is a fairly popular and inexpensive restaurant in Kandy, because here you can enjoy not only local, but also Chinese, Italian, European and Indian cuisine. It is located near the Kandy Police Station bus stop.
You will be offered several menus depending on the choice of cuisine, each with a variety of soups, appetizers and seafood dishes, including Chinese spiced shrimp, Indian tandoori chicken, rice with beef, chicken and many spices. There is a separate drinks menu and a children's menu for the youngest visitors.
An order for one here will cost 500-600 Indian rupees.
The interior of the restaurant is very laconic, decorated in light colors, it is not for nothing that it is called the “White House”. This is a rather cozy and calm place, which is great for family meals and celebrations.
Slightly Chilled Lounge Restaurant
Slightly Chilled Lounge is an affordable restaurant serving Chinese, European and Sichuan cuisine. Here you can enjoy not only delicious food, but also a stunning panoramic view of the city from the window.
The restaurant is located near the shore of Kandy Lake.
Here you will find a variety of dishes prepared from fresh ingredients, many of which include fish and lots of spices. Chili paste is especially popular here, as is homemade beer. At the same time, the portions here are huge, and the prices are ridiculous - from 120 to 350 rubles per order.
This is a pleasant place with a quiet and romantic atmosphere. Here, sitting on beautiful large leather chairs with wicker backs, you can relax and, while enjoying your food, admire the bamboo gardens, the Buddha statue on the mountain and the view of the entire city of Kandy.
Kandy Lake
Lake Kandy is located in the center of the mountain town of the same name, which is 119 kilometers from Colombo. This is an artificial reservoir created by the last king of Sinigala in 1807 at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Since then, the lake has somewhat decreased in size and today is a state-protected site where fishing and hunting are prohibited.
The diameter of this beautiful reservoir is 2.1 kilometers, depth is 18 meters. There is a royal complex around the lake and such types of trees as sugar, fruit, Shala, Bayan, and palm trees grow. Indian cormorants, pelicans, egrets, wood storks, and monitor lizards live here.
In the middle of the lake there is a small island, which is decorated with bamboo thickets. According to legend, it was here that the royal bath was located, connected by a secret tunnel to the palace. Half of the reservoir is surrounded by the “Wall of Clouds”, unfinished by the king due to defeat in the war. And in the center of the lake there is a rainbow water fountain.
Elephant nursery in Pinnawala
In an elephant nursery in Sri Lanka there live little elephants who were left without parents or who became victims of poachers. The nursery was established in Pinnavel in 1975.
Here, elephant calves are trained, after which many are sent to zoos around the world or sent to hard work in Sri Lanka. The main goal of the nursery is to increase the offspring of elephants. At the moment, more than 40 elephants live here, and the youngest elephants are only 4 months old. The elephants are fed approximately 76 kilograms of grass daily, as well as two kilograms of corn and rice bran.
In the nursery, tourists can feed elephants, see how they are bathed, or, for example, how small cubs are fed milk from a bottle.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple and a true architectural masterpiece, which houses the symbol of the Buddhists and the sacred talisman - the tooth of Buddha. The tooth in the temple is in seven caskets, and only a few have access to it. At one time, only members of the royal family could look at the tooth.
The temple is built on a large area, and around it there is another outer temple, where there are several halls, a library, a hall with a Buddha statue and frescoes.
At the entrance to the temple there are security guards checking everyone who enters. At the entrance there are flowers that can be brought to Buddha as an offering.
The most popular attractions in Kandy with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Kandy on our website.
Individual and group
Temple of the Tooth Relic, Sri Lanka. Photo credit: VR2MY, Flickr
why go
Don't miss it in the city
- Take a walk around the lake, admiring the views of Kandy. Climb up the steep streets, sit down in one of the local cafes overlooking the lake and drink aromatic local tea)
- Experience the beautiful culture of Sri Lanka as you explore the famous Holy City of Kandy and watch a beautiful ceremony centered around living blue and purple lotuses.
- Take a break from the bustle of the city by walking among the fragrant tropical greenery of the Peradeniya Botanical Garden, and don’t miss the spice garden located very close.
- Learn the history of Ceylon tea at the local tea museum.
- Climb up to the huge white Buddha statue located on the grounds of the Bahirawakanda Temple and admire the panoramic view of the city.
- Watch a traditional Kandy dance before sampling Sri Lankan curry at local restaurants.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Plan on at least half a day to explore the most famous attraction of Kandy, since in addition to the temple itself, which according to legend houses the tooth of Buddha, there are many interesting small temples and stupas located on the rather large territory of the temple complex of the Holy City of Kandy. Remember that this is a holy place for Buddhists and a functioning temple. Wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. Entrance for foreigners is about $7
Botanical Garden Peradeniya
The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is the largest and most picturesque botanical garden in Sri Lanka, which previously could only be admired by members of the royal family and their entourage. The garden features the island's main tropical plants and flowers. The garden is large, walking through it is a pleasure.
The botanical garden is located outside the city and can be reached by tuk-tuk. It is worth negotiating with a tuk-tuk for half a day or a day and visiting the spice garden, tea museum and Bahirawakanda temple in one trip. Entrance ticket to the Botanical Garden is about $8
Traditional show
Traditional Kandy dance is a wonderful colorful show that is performed every day at the Kandyan Cultural Center, located next to the lake. In addition to the usual traditional dance, the show program includes tricks and dancing with fire. Entrance is about $4.
Cultural Center (Kandyan Cultural Center), Sri Lanka. Photo credit: KANDYAN ART ASSOCIATION, Flickr
There is the most interesting city of Kandy. It is recognized as the cultural capital of the entire state, since its historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At one time, this city was the capital of the ancient rulers of the island, and even during the period of British colonization they remained committed to traditions. Therefore, when you go on holiday to Kandy, you will definitely enjoy the local flavor to the fullest. Read the article, find out everything you need to know about holidays in Kandy, Sri Lanka in 2019 - and plan a trip to the world of exotica.
Brief historical background
The city of Kandy was founded back in the 14th century, although it was called differently then. It was the capital of the state of the same name, which existed on the island until the 19th century. For many years, the state fought against colonization, concluding alliances to preserve its traditions or fighting in order to defend them.
However, in the 19th century the state surrendered and became part of the British Empire. The ruler was overthrown and the territory was colonized. Well, already in the 20th century, Sri Lanka gained independence, and at the moment Kandy is part of this country. It is the largest religious and cultural center of the country.
Brief geographical information and climate
The city is located in the center of the country, it is located one hundred and fifteen kilometers northeast of, at an altitude of half a kilometer above sea level. The Mahaweli Ganga River, on the banks of which Kandy stands, brings pleasant freshness to the climate. The city also has an artificial lake. The climate of the city is tropical, the average temperature throughout the year is around 25 degrees Celsius. The most precipitation falls in April-May and October-November. The best time to visit the city is from January to March.
Kandy on the map
Safety in Kandy
Recently, the cultural traditions of Kandy have undergone some modification. This is due to the influence of migrants arriving from other parts of the island. The image of the honest Kandy man, as seen through the prism of colonial literature, faded over time. Therefore, petty theft is currently flourishing in the city, which requires tourists to pay attention to their belongings. In addition, in Sri Lanka, some local residents are very fond of luring tourists out of money in every possible way, offering services that are not always necessary. But even with this set of circumstances, Kandy remains a relatively safe city, unlike other settlements on the island.
Communication in Kandy
According to reviews from travelers, Kandy, as a major tourist center, has fairly good internet. Wi-Fi works well in international hotels, but you can also purchase a local SIM card. Since the easiest way to get to Kandy is through Colombo airport, it is most convenient to purchase a SIM card in this large city, immediately upon arrival (at the operator’s office or special stalls). The Dialog operator is popular among tourists - for just 10 dollars (at the airport) or even 100 rubles (away from the tourist center) you can purchase a SIM card with 4G communication quality, and choose the package that best suits your needs. You can replenish your balance online on the operator’s website, as well as by purchasing replenishment cards, where the PIN code will be indicated.
Planning a trip to Kandy: transport and accommodation
How to get there and how to get around?
The easiest way to get to the cultural capital of Sri Lanka is through Colombo Airport. This major city receives many international flights. The cost of a one-way ticket for one traveler in high season will be about 19,000 rubles.
From Colombo Airport you can get to Kandy by high-speed train or taxi. At the same time, you will have to pay about 4,000 rubles for a taxi, and traveling by train will be cheaper and more picturesque. There are also cars with drivers that run from Colombo to Kandy, which can be ordered at a travel agency, or you can take the simplest and most affordable public transport - buses.
Kandy itself has bus stations that allow you to travel around the town and beyond. There are both simple and more comfortable buses, and traditional tuk-tuks for the country, which, by the way, are also rented. But car rental is not developed here. As for the historical center, you can easily get around it on foot.
Where to stay and where is the best place to live?
Don't be afraid that you will be left without an overnight stay. Accommodation in the town of Kandy can be chosen to suit every taste, requirement and budget. There are both comfortable hotels and hostels for students and budget tourists. You can stay in a simple hostel - if you just want to spend the night and don’t care about all sorts of luxurious amenities - for literally pennies, there are offers from 350 rubles per traveler per day.
The average cost of a room in hotels from 2 to 5 stars varies from 1300 to 5700 rubles per night.
There are, of course, truly royal offers: for example, you can relax at the Kings Pavilion hotel with a magnificent view, all kinds of amenities and impeccable service, a swimming pool and a spa center, for about 17,000 rubles per day. If you are traveling in a large, noisy group, then choose one of the many villas or bungalows where you can accommodate the whole family or a circle of friends.
Holidays in Kandy: where to go, what to do, what to see?
In general, the city is constantly visited by tourists who come here on excursions from other resorts in Sri Lanka. This means that there is definitely something to see here.
Attractions and interesting places in Kandy
In the central part of the city there is Lake Bogambara, created by order of the last king of the island state. In the middle of the lake there is a tiny island with a Summer Palace, which once housed the king's harem; you can explore the ancient rooms and baths.
On the lake there is a Temple dedicated to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. Another name for the temple is Dalada Maligawa. According to legend, the Tooth was transferred to the island back in 311 - on the hair of Princess Hemamala. At that time, it was believed that the capital of the country should be located exactly where this relic was kept. A two-story temple was built specifically to store the relic right on the territory that belonged to the ruler. This happened in 1590, during the reign of King Vilamaladarmasuriya I.
By the way, it is unlikely that you will be able to look at the Tooth itself - the relic is in a box and is taken out only on holidays. However, every day many pilgrims arrive in Kandy who want to visit this sacred place for Buddhists. And for tourists it will be interesting to see the architectural features: patterns on wood and paintings, finishing with rich materials.
In addition to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the historical center - a complex of buildings - also includes other architectural monuments - these are the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall and the Queen's Palace. To the east of the Temple, near the lake, there is a bathhouse built for the queen. Later it was converted into a library by the English colonialists.
There are three Hindu temple buildings in the vicinity of Dalada Maligawa. They are dedicated to the god Nata, the goddess Pattini and the god Vishnu. And a block from this place you can find a temple dedicated to the deity of war Skanda. It is called Kataragama Devala.
On the territory of the historical center there is an interesting museum called Sri Dalada. Here you can learn more about the history of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the colonial period in the country's history, see royal regalia and busts of rulers, as well as artifacts found during archaeological excavations.
Another wonderful museum where you can get to know Buddhism better is the International Museum of Buddhism. Naturally, the exhibition consists mainly of images of Buddha, as well as models and photographs of temple buildings.
Among the interesting places in the city is the Royal Pavilion, located right next to the mountain ridge. It was built by an English governor in the 19th century. Now this building serves as the official residence of the head of the country in Kandy. In general, you can see a sufficient number of Victorian-style buildings in the city.
Since Kandy is recognized as the largest center for pilgrims and the religious capital of the state, the Malwatu Maha Viharaya and Asgiri Maha Viharaya monasteries function here. They are considered the main ones in the country. Tourists will also be interested in their architecture, decoration, and rich interiors.
In the vicinity of the city - 15 kilometers away - you can visit the Lankatilaka Viharaya Temple, which is an example of Sinhala architecture. There is a traditional sacred Bo tree, statues, and sacred places for Buddhists. The temple itself was founded in the 14th century.
20 kilometers from the city there is a place called Aluvihara. These are sacred caves that are carved directly into the rocks. You can visit them from the inside, however, the statues and paintings in the caves are modern. A two-hour drive takes you to the 100-meter Ratna Falls, the highest in the region.
Entertainment and leisure in Kandy
If on vacation in 2019 you want to admire the unique nature of Sri Lanka, then you should go trekking. The surrounding area of Kandy is replete with interesting routes that lead to temples and nature reserves, colorful villages and tea plantations, caves and waterfalls.
Thus, nature lovers should definitely visit the Udvavttakele Nature Reserve. Otherwise it is called Royal Forest Park. This stunning place is located on the slope of a hill; previously only rulers could enter it, but now the protected area is protected by the authorities and is accessible to tourists. In this stunning piece of paradise you can visit the Senankanda Cave, an ancient necropolis, and Buddhist temple buildings. In addition, there is a beautiful pond there.
You can also go to the outskirts of the city. So, about 5 kilometers from Kandy there is the city of Peradeniya, where the botanical garden is located. This place is one of the most interesting in the whole country: a huge well-groomed area and more than 4 thousand rare plants await tourists in this colorful garden.
It is interesting to be in Kandy during the Esala-Mangallaya holiday. It is celebrated in August and is the largest religious holiday, during which the same box with the shrine - on an elephant's back - is taken out of the main city temple. In addition to the procession, at this time you can see many dances, hear traditional music, and look at the colorful costumes of residents and performers.
While on holiday in Kandy in 2019, you can also do some shopping. We advise you to pay attention to the fruits of traditional folk crafts for which Kandy is so famous. Here craftsmen, weavers of bamboo and straw, jewelers, as well as wood carvers offer their products: they all make objects of art right in front of tourists. When visiting tea plantations, you should definitely buy local tea, which has been famous for centuries all over the world. On Piradis Road there are many shops, including some with fairly inexpensive jewelry made from precious and semi-precious stones.
There are quite a lot of restaurants in the city. It serves traditional local cuisine as well as European and Indian dishes. At the same time, you can order one serving for two or ask for a free refill - and they won’t refuse you. What to try from traditional dishes of Sri Lanka? This could be, for example:
- mallum - coconut salad;
- all kinds of curry dishes: lentils, fish, rice;
- Kavum - local sweets made from rice.
Families with children will enjoy an excursion to the elephant nursery - you can see little elephants, which is sure to please little tourists.
The city of Kandy will appeal primarily to those who are attracted by exotic architecture, fascinated by foreign traditions, and who like mountainous and picturesque nature. In this city you can leisurely visit temples, each of which is interesting in its own way, enjoy good weather and air, and observe the life of pilgrims and ordinary people. A holiday in Kandy will definitely give you peace and a sea of positive impressions.
Video narration about Kandy: