What to do in Kandy – Your complete guide to Sri Lanka’s historic heart

Shrouded in jaw-dropping scenery and boasting a rich legacy that chronicles the times of the kings, the citadel in the hills and heart of Sri Lanka’s Central Province – Kandy is an experience worthy of being included in your travels. For those toying with the thought of heading over, then the details of this article will prove an invaluable read indeed. 

img via wikipedia commons

Visit the Asgiri Maha Vihara Pirivena

While the more cherished and patronised setting of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic needs no special introduction, those touring through Kandy would do well to allocate some time for the Asgiri Maha Vihara Pirivena. Nestled a short distance from the city centre, this Buddhist temple will escort you to a haven of great learning, skilled masonry and exquisite artwork. Begin at the base of the attraction’s stupa where you will be rewarded with examples of Buddhist literature, placed inside a tiny museum that will easily whet your appetite for more. Next in line is the central floor that depicts outstanding iconography. Finally, call by the stupa’s towering dome where you will be treated to scenes of detailed and colourful carvings but not before spending a moment at the circular balcony. From here, awe-inspiring views of Kandy can be delighted in.

Wander through the Kandy Market

The bustling local marketplace called the Kandy Market is where the keen globetrotter in you will be granted a chance to explore a side to the city, seldom visited by foreign nationals. With the best time of the day reserved for the morning, as this will allow you to watch as buyers and sellers come into contact on a daily basis, this busy market is an adventure that ought to be planned ahead. This is because no sooner you enter, you will be swallowed up by crowds who arrive here in the hope of purchasing only the freshest produce. 

Go hiking to Udawattekale Sanctuary 

Located behind the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is an impressive, leafy environment called the Udawattekale Sanctuary. Perfect for nature walks, hikes and birdwatching, this forest reserve that extends for more than 250 acres is replete with winding pathways, plenty of flora and fauna & 3 Buddhist forest monasteries to explore. As a verdant and peaceful escape, well away from the city’s bustle but within close proximity to Theva Residency, which is a well-appointedluxury hotel Kandy is known for, Udawattekale Sanctuary is where you can spot a host of animal life. These range from the Brown-capped Babbler to the Macaque. 

Walk around Kandy Lake

No tour of Kandy would be complete without meandering around the iconic environs of Kandy Lake. Constructed by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in the year 1807, this man-made wonder is referred to as the “Kiri Muhida” or “Sea of Milk” in English and pays tribute to the city’s historic past. The famed Cloud Wall covers the 2.1-mile circumference of this attraction, with many sights and sounds to behold. Among the main features, the ivory-coloured Queen’s bathing pavilion that would appear to jut out onto the lake waters will be hard to ignore. However, the now inaccessible garden island that once functioned as the personal harem of the great king himself and as an ammunition store by the British colonists remains as a fond memory of an era that continues to inspire and captivate the history buff. 

Have a taste of Ceylon Tea at Hantane’s Ceylon Tea Museum 

The 4-floor Ceylon Tea Museum is a wonderful introduction to how passionately fond Sri Lankans are of their beloved tea. With tea tasting sessions, the working of a tea factory to learn about and beautiful views of surrounding mountain ranges, which are part and parcel of its offerings; the Ceylon Tea Museum is a must whenever you think of holidaying in Kandy.