Sacred Kandy
And so, you have arrived in Kandy. Let's see what makes it the most sacred city in Sri Lanka.
You’ve checked into your hotel, so let’s explore!
Kandy is the last, ancient, capital city of an independent Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth is an essential visit. Buddhist faithful and Tourists from all round the world visit in anticipation of seeing a 200-year-old tooth of the Buddha, now protected by its golden case, which is reputed to be from the Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka over 2,000 years ago. As you step in through the main door, look up and around you at the stunning artwork on the ceilings and walls, then respectfully offer flowers to the Buddha, hoping that the monkeys don’t eat them first!). Hear the moving, spiritual chants from the monks and take in the heady scent of incense for a truly magical experience.
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As you leave the temple, enjoy the view over the 200-year-old man-made lake, around which the whole city revolves. Take a break to visit a Batik factory and admire this ancient, beautiful craft and be inspired by the process from concept through to manufacture. A little further down the road you will come across a Gem Museum, where you can learn the history of mining for Sri Lanka’s famed Blue Sapphires and a multitude of other precious and semi-precious stones. You will discover why this is known as the jewel of the Indian Ocean!
Now, it's time to tantalise your taste buds so, putting yourself in the hands of trustworthy locals: spit spot, head towards Kandy’s markets for a truly cultural experience! An explosion of colour hits your eyes, a cacophony fills your ears, so many choices of food to eat, so where do you start? Try Kotu Roti, followed by a cup of world-famous Ceylon tea. Now your hunger is satiated, and your thirst quenched.
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After the hustle and bustle of the market, you could arrive at the tranquil Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. Take a stroll along the palm tree walk, pass strange-shaped trees, reminding you of ones you may have climbed in your childhood. Look up and see fruit bats roosting, watch monkeys foraging fruits that have dropped from the trees. Listen to the giant bamboo as it knocks gently against each other in the breeze. Puzzle at the mesmerising Cannonball Tree. You reach the greenhouse, and your eyes are met with yet another explosion of colour, a rich collection of over 300 species of orchids. The Gardens date back to the 12th century. Originally the gardens only held exotic fruits, vegetables, coffee and tea bushes and rubber trees. Nowadays it is full of sensational trees and beautifully coloured flowers.
Now it's time to head back to the hotel, if your hands don’t hold several souvenirs from your time in Kandy, your head definitely will.
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Hotels
With hundreds of hotels and villas at our fingertips let us help you plan your next holiday.
Overlooking the majestic Mahaweli river, the Cinnamon Citadel is perfectly situated to explore the city of Kandy. With traditional furnishings and decorated in the warming colour of spices the rooms are cosy. All the rooms have a view of either garden, pool, or river. the main restaurant has stunning views. Or for fine dining there is a A-la-carte restaurant.
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Situated just a short distance from Kandy, this charismatic and historic manor house was built before Briitish rule in 1804. It retains a timeless seclusion and serenity within its lush tropical gardens. Its nine individually styled, air-conditioned bedrooms each have en-suite bathrooms that enhance the feeling of staying in the private house it was, rather than a hotel. All complemented by a stunning Infinity pool, landscaped into the hillside overlooking Paddy fields.
Authentic Sri Lankan delicacies and International cuisine is served from the verandah restaurant, by the pool or your own private terrace. It is well placed to spend time to explore Kandy, the last capital of the island and pivotal to much of Sri Lanka’s history. It can be booked as a whole for important celebrations. It also makes an ideal honeymoon hotel where couples can get away from it all in its quiet peaceful settings and enjoy the Infinity pool, private dining, yoga, or massages.
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