Kandy, one of the most picturesque cities in Sri Lanka surrounded by a mist wrapped greenery mountains range (Hanthana and Bahirawakandha range). In the heart of the city center there is a man-made beautiful lake called Bagambara Wewa or Kirimuhudha (the sea of milk) decorated with clouds wall (walakulu bamma) symbolizing waves of a sea. On the north shoe of the lake the temple of tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) where sacred tooth of Load Buddha conserved, placed. This is one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. Kandy is the capital city of central province and the capital of last Sinhalese kingdom, 115Km away from Colombo and only 3 hours travel distance. Part of the palace of last King still remains next to the temple of tooth. Also, the ancient temples of Lankatilleke, Gadaladeniya, Gedige, Gangaramaya, Suduhumpola, Degaldoruwa, and Kundasale are fine exhibits of Kandyan architecture. In front of temple of tooth, Udawaththa forest, a jungle in the city where number of inherited flora and fauna can be seen.
Historical landmarks
Also known as Kiri Muhuda ( the Sea of Milk), is an artificial lake in the heart of the hill city of Kandy, built in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe next to the Temple of the Tooth. It is a protected lake, with fishing banned. There is an island in the middle of the lake. Around the lake there is a wall called walakulu bamma (cloud wall). A walking tour around the lake is unforgettable and not to miss activity and is nearly 2.1 mile footpath and consists of fascinating scenic glory covered with several rest places to sit and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Temple and the lake
The Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa in Sinhala, is a beautiful golden-roofed Buddhist temple houses the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha. The temple which houses the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is one of the holiest shrines in the entire Buddhist world. It is located to the north of Kandy Lake in the royal palace complex. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. The temple has rituals thrice a day. The room housing the tooth is open to devotees to offer their prayers. However, nobody gets to see the tooth because it is kept in a golden casket inside a stupa-like structure. Kandyan architecture along with custom and ritual of Sri Lankan people could be appreciated and experience.
Royal Botanical Garden is largest (60 hectares) in the island and providing residence to over a large variety of plants (more than 4000), some even hundreds of years old. Situated in Peradeniya, 5-minute drive west of Kandy, the place is quite close to the Mahaweli River. There is a Cannonball tree in this garden which King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary planted in 1901.
The Kandy War Cemetery is a British military cemetery in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for soldiers of the British Empire who were killed during World War II as well as a soldier who died during World War I. The War Cemetery is serene and incredibly well-maintained and celebrates lives known, and unknown lost during the war.
There are 203 buried consisting of: 107 British, 35 East Africans, 26 Sri Lankans, 23 Indians, 6 Canadians, 3 Italians, 1 Frenchman and 2 unidentified persons, Of the 203 dead, 151 were army, 32 were air force, 16 were navy, 2 were unidentified, 1 was merchant navy and 1 was from the national fire service.
Bird watching & hiking
Udawaththa kele/ Udawaththa forest sanctuary
Udawaththa kele is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy. It is 104 hectares (257 acres) largeThe reserve also contains a great variety of plant species, especially lianas, shrubs and small trees. There are several giant lianas. Many of small and medium size mammals that inhabit Sri Lanka can be seen here. Several kinds of snakes and other reptiles might be seen. Udawattakele was designated as a forest reserve in 1856, and it became a sanctuary in 1938. This sanctuary housed for more than 80 species of birds and mammals and one of the best place for bird watching in Sri Lanka.
Hanthana Mountain Range
Hanthana Mountain Range is an amazing picnic and hiking or bird watching spot. This is one of most popular hiking tracks specially among young Sri Lankans. One can even enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and the Knuckles mountain range from the top. The range consists of seven peaks, Uuara Kanda being the highest one.
Culture – annual event
Kandy Esala Perahera pageant
One of the few great festivals in the world should not be missed before death of anyone in the world. Once a year in July or August, ten days procession grows until the final night (full moon) to about 5000 dancers, drummers etc. & 100 elephants. This historical procession is held annually to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which is housed at the Sri Dalada Maligawa/ Temple of Tooth in Kandy and the four gods, Natha, Vishnu, kataragama and goddess Paththini. Temples dedicated to these gods are situated in the vicinity of Temple of Tooth. The procession consists of traditional local dances such as fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances, in addition to the elephants that are decorated with lavish garments.
How to get in
Directly From Bandaranaike international airport to Kandy
There are cheap but less comfortable mode of transport is government (SLTB) or private buses. Bus terminal is 1.2 km away from airport. Bus number 245 comes straight past the airport. stand on the main road, on the other side of the fence, bus will come from town, from the right.
From Colombo, the bus number 1 goes between Colombo and Kandy. Also, the bus route number 17 goes from Panadura to Kandy. Intercity air-conditioned bus is the next best option to the hired taxis. If you are female and traveling alone it is best to either sit next to another female or try to sit as close to the conductor as possible to avoid any unnecessary harassments . Private A/C buses start from the private bus stand in Pettah bus stand.
Train
There is a train service start from Katunayake south railway station that is 1 km away from airport. It will take one hour to Colombo Fort railway station which is the main railway terminal in Colombo where trains for all destinations are started from. Easy way to get in to Fort railway station from airport is by bus from the airport. Intercity express trains are hassle free and scenic. Reservation are needed for these trains, it can be done just before the departure depending on the period but is best done in advance especially if you are traveling on a weekend or holiday. There is a decent observation saloon (1st class) in this particular train. Normal trains are slower and 3rd/2nd class unreserved tends to be crowded. 2nd and 3rd class seat also can be reserved with little extra price and these reserved compartments are less crowded as only reserved peoples are to allow to enter.
Taxi If you’re just arriving in Sri Lanka, heading for Kandy, you can hire a taxi from one of the stalls in the arrival’s hall at Colombo airport. Tuk Tuks are not allowed to enter the terminal, so you have to walk to the exit gate if you love to use them.
Uber services are available in Colombo.
From Nuwara Eliya
There is regular bus service from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy start from central bus stand at the centre of the city. Train station at Nanuoya is 7 km from Nuwara Eliya city,
Local transport
Local busses can be used to visit nearby places. There are three bus stands, with only one of them with sign boards. All three bus stands accommodate both government-run buses and private ones. The largest bus stand is called “Good shed”, and is right next to the Railway station. All long distance buses depart from here, and now have signs indicating the destination. Almost every bus in here are long distance buses, but you can hop on and get off at your destination. Secondly, there is a bus station near the Clock tower. Buses start from here to Digana is in bus route 654, Polgolla is in route 621. Matale is bus route 8, but note that if you want to visit Sigiriya, it is still a long way from Matale. Third, there is a bus station near the market and Torrington Park. This is where you will find most of the buses to the interesting destinations. For the botanical garden, take any bus that goes through Peradeniya: Kandy – Panideniya 652, Kandy – Pilimathalawa 724 and 644, Kandy – Mahakanda 633.
There are trains from Kandy to Colombo. Most scenic train tour is travel from Kandy to Badulla, you can get down at Nanuoya station to go to Nuwara Eliya or Ella station to Ella.