How to have a best of best in the busy and bustling Kandy City

 The misty hills of Kandy hides holiday secrets from pleasant landscapes, waterways to rich cultural heritage sites. Flanked by the Kandy Lake, the bustling city offers its own charms. And, as you go further inland, you’ll find serenity, trees and cool climes.

Stroll along the Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake takes a prominent place in any list of places to visit in Kandy. Even though the lake is located right at the heart of a busy city, there is serenity around it. You’ll stumble upon comical waddling ducks, jet black cormorants preening their feathers and herons nesting in the trees. You’ll spot pineapple sellers carefully balancing their basins full of luscious pineapple slices on their heads. You’ll occasionally hear the peaceful chanting or strong beat of drums from the nearby Temple of the Tooth. The rhythmic ripples of the lake will echo the ripples of life beating all around it. The lake’s surroundings have changed much since it was originally built in the 1800s. But, the lake’s significance has never varied.  The lake is a good starting point for a tour of Kandy.

Image via Kandy Escapes

Visit the Temple of the Tooth

The Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) is a sacred sit to many. At the heart of the temple lies a tooth relic of the Buddha, brought to the island in the 4^th century. The golden roofed temple is home to an eclectic collection of murals. The tooth is safe inside a heavily guarded gilded dome. Once you make your way into the temple, you’ll meet devotees offering fresh smelling flowers and lighting incense sticks. If you are on time, each morning and evening the temple’s guardians complete the morning and evening services to the accompaniment of drums and blowing of a conch.

Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya

The sprawling Royal Botanic Garden is scattered with massive, age-old trees, exotic plants and a wild abundance of sweet-smelling flowers. They have an orchid garden, a lovely tree lined pathway and secluded spots near the ever-flowing Mahaweli River. The garden was once reserved for royalty, until the British colonials turned it into a Botanic Garden. There over 10,000 trees spread across the garden, along with patches of flowers in many hues. You can easily find your own expansive lawn in which to escape the heat, and rest.

Checkout the three-temple loop

The Temple of the Tooth may be grand, but in nearby Gampola lies three ancient temples, each with its own unique flavor. The Gadaladeniya Viharaya, Embekke, and Lankathilaka temple make up a pleasant loop to explore. The winding paths leading to the temples are lush green and scattered with the occasional paddy field. The first along the loop, Gadaladeniya temple sits atop a rock cliff and has gilded seated statues of the Buddha. There is an old Banyan tree and ponds shaped out of the rock face at the temple. The second temple of the loop, Embekke Devalaya pays tribute to the Hindu deity Mahesan. This particular temple is renowned for its intricately carved wooden pillars. The carvings depict both human and animal forms. The final temple is arguably the most impressive of the three. This 14^th century temple stands atop a rock surrounded by a forest and rice fields, harmoniously incorporating Buddhism and Hinduism. The inscriptions in both Sinhala and Tamil testify to the island’s shared past.

Catch a train to Ella

You could bid a sweet goodbye to Kandy by catching a train ride to Ella. This famous train ride is one of the most picturesque rides you’ll ever take. Away, you’ll go winding through mist covered forests, tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and meandering g streams.

If you wish to find out more information about Kandy, visit Kandy Escapes.