Sri Lanka is an amazing island nation in the Southeast region of Asia. It shares a lot of similarities in terms of cuisine, culture, and tradition with India. It is also seen as a major travel destination for spending the holidays, especially the honeymoon.
But which part of Sri Lanka can be a great choice for vacationing? Well, you do not have to ponder over it. We have brought a compelling destination for you to visit and spin indelible moments.
Kandy is a big-ticket name and most-preferred holiday destination in Sri Lanka. Dotted with the intriguing places like the ancient palaces, shrines, plantations-gardens, sanctuaries, waterfalls etc., it serves as a beatific holiday destination. Its exquisite surroundings, blest with a serene ambiance, advocate for it being a major tourist attraction. Thus, in order to make your expedition convenient and memorable, we have enlisted some not-to-be-missed stopping points that you should explore in Kandy.
Snug amid the lush green circumjacent, the Royal Palace of Kandy is an ancient architectural splendor. Dating back to the 14th century, it is a famous tourist attraction in Kandy. This palace is the royal residence of the reigning king, Wickrama Rajasinghe. The walls of the palace have witnessed the valor of the valiant in different times. Presently, it is a great tourist attraction.
Interspersed across 257 acres of land, Udawattekele Sanctuary is a major tourist site in Kandy. It is a major dense forest that houses a large number of species of the flora and fauna. Its beauty lures the visitors on an extensive scale. Udawattekele Sanctuary is an amazing place for bird watching as well. One can spot the endemic species of the Layard Parakeet in this sanctuary.
Commonwealth War Cemetery is a humble reminder about the courageous soldiers that laid their lives during the World War II. Previously, this war cemetery was known by the name of Pitakande Military Cemetery before it was taken over by the War Commission. This cemetery is well-kept and has beauteous surroundings that make it a popular tourist attraction in Kandy.
Don't you think that an interaction with the tuskers would be enthralling? If yes, head towards Millenium Elephant Foundation, an NGO that works for the welfare of elephants in Kandy. It is a place where people get a chance to observe the elephants. Being a popular tourist attraction in Kandy, MEF is visited by hundreds of tourists. One can also opt for a volunteer program to look after a giant tusker for a couple of days.
A combination of alphabets cannot describe the beauty of Horton Plains National Park. Unrolled over vast acres of land, HPNP is a place where an individual can succumb to nature and reinvigorate the senses. It is a 6,561 feet high plateau that houses various mammals like the deer, leopard, langur, mountain hawk, and much more. The venture of trekking can also be relished at Horton Plains National Park.
One of the must-visit attractions in Kandy is known by the name of Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue. Carved beautifully out of the white marble, this Buddha statue has a colossal height of 88 feet that sits in the beguiling green surroundings. From this place, one can witness the beautiful view of the entire town of Kandy. Tourists, on an extensive scale, flock to visit this intriguing destination.
International Buddhist Museum is the place to gather a vast knowledge about Buddhism. Located close to the Temple of Tooth, this museum showcases the sacred illustrations & psalms from the Buddhist texts. At this museum, one can also gain the knowledge about through what mediums Buddhism was spread in the whole of Southeast Asia. Before entering the premises of the museum, make sure you carry yourself in a decent manner.
Also known by the name of Kandy Garrison Cemetery, British Garrison Cemetery is an All-British grave in Kandy. This cemetery is the final resting place of the British men, women, and children that died in Kandy. British Garrison Cemetery houses various British graves including the graves of the British governor & his wife. And yes, avoid visiting this place after dusk. You know the reason well.
Blest with the beauteous surroundings, Kandy Lake is a man-made reservoir in Kandy. It came into existence in the early 18th century under the reign of the Sinhalese king, Wickrama Rajasinghe. Located in the heart of the city, this alluring spot is thronged on a large scale by visitors. Its picturesque neighboring region adds more charm to the beauty. A flying visit to Kandy Lake is worthy.
Another magnificent destination in Kandy is Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage. Spread over 147 acres of land, Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage is a foster home to the tuskers. Its foundation brick was laid in the year 1975 to protect and nourish the orphan elephants. In this foster home, one can find numerous elephants that were abandoned or separated from the herd. The male tuskers are used for log transporting in nearby areas.
Unfolded beautifully over 146 acres of land, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is a must-see place of interest in Kandy. These gardens lure millions of visitors each year due to their astounding flora. More than 3600 species of flowers and 10,000 of trees can be found in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. Each weekend, these gardens welcome various visitors including the foreign nationals. It is an ideal spot for a morning jog as well.
This place will surely lure the heart of the tea lovers. Ceylon Tea Museum is a place that was set up in the year 1925. One of the prime attractions in Kandy, this tea museum houses the ancient machines and techniques of preparing various types of tea. One can see the machinery that was used for preparing tea. People can also read the books containing the earliest history of tea whilst sipping the same.
A rare collection of herbs and spices can catch the attention of many. Similarly, Spice Garden of Kandy catches the sight of tourists immediately. The Spice Garden is a place that is an eminent travel attraction in Kandy. It is known for growing the rarest spices that are found only in Sri Lanka. Many educational excursions are also organized at this Spice Garden to educate visitors about the spices and their benefits.
Famously called the Royal Park Palace, Wales Park is a spot that you cannot afford to miss. Endowed with a blissful ambiance and adorned with towering trees, Wales Park is a famous tourist place flocked by visitors. This park rests on a hillock and overlooks the lake of Kandy. This park is opened throughout the year and is visited for walking, jogging, and spending some time with the arresting nature.
The Temple of the Tooth is a pious Buddhist shrine in Kandy. Located in the premises of the royal palace of Kandy, this temple is known for housing the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is a prime reason for the place to be listed amid the World Heritage Sites. Numerous monks gather in the main hall, thrice a day, to chant the holy hymns and conduct prayers in this sacred temple.
Stop scrolling because you have reached the end. Starting from the Royal Palace till the Temple of Tooth, you saw & read about some famous places in Kandy. All these places are swarmed by the countless visitors each day. Apart from the above-mentioned names, there are more spots to see. Explore those places & do not forget to tell us about them.