What can you visit in one day in Kandy?

We found it easier to start this epic journey from Sri Lanka's cultural capital, the city of Kandy. To get to Kandy, we took the train from Colombo Fort Station and the journey took almost 4 hours. We stayed at a homestay, White Lodge, located about 20 minutes from the city center. We gave ourselves a day to visit Kandy city and we think it's just the right amount of time to see the most important sights, but also to have some time to relax at a restaurant with a super view.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya

The Royal Botanical Garden is one of the most famous botanical gardens in Sri Lanka and South Asia. Officially converted into a botanical garden in 1821 by the British during colonization. It is extremely rich in flora and fauna, with over 4000 plant species.. It has some impressive alleyways of palm and coconut trees, is an extremely clean and peaceful place, and you'll be surprised to see lots of monkeys and squirrels, as well as numerous trees full of bats resting in the sunshine.

Sri Maha Bodhy Viharaya Temple Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya

Sri Maha Bodhy Viharaya Temple Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya is an important Buddhist shrine. Here you can see The Statue of Great Buddha in white, one of the largest in the Kandy area, dominating the hill, , a Bodhi tree grown from a scion of India's original Bodhi tree and several prayer spaces for monks. You can climb to the neck of the statue for a great view of the city. Entry is free but donations are welcome.

Sacred Tooth Temple

Sacred Tooth Temple, locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the holiest Buddhist place of worship in Sri Lanka and one of the city's most important attractions. Kandy. The temple hosts daily ceremonies called "puja" during which the monks offer flowers, incense and prayers to the relic. The legend, in a nutshell: a real tooth of Buddha, saved from the flames of the cremation fire after his death and brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century, hidden in the hair of a princess. This tooth is kept in a reliquary inside the temple and is considered a relic of huge importance: whoever possesses the relic is said to have a legitimate right to rule the country. You can read much more in the temple where there are pictures of the story.

Walking along Kandy lake

Once you've visited these better-known places, take a stroll downtown Kandy and admire the architecture. Also consider a leisurely stroll along the city's lake. The length of the walk around the lake is 3.2 km and takes about 40 minutes. It's teeming with pelicans and various birds, even lizards or huge varans. . At the end of the day enjoy a super sunset over the city from the restaurant Slightly Chilled Lounge.

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