From Wikitravel

Kandy is located at the center of Sri Lanka and is generally recognized as the island nation's cultural capital. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

[edit] Understand

This is the last kingdom of the country. Since it was conquered by the British only around 1815 you can still see the living traditions. Kandyans are usually proud of their heritage. Since the western elements has played a comparatively little role in the city most Kandyans are upholding Buddhist values. Since it is in the cultural triangle the authorities try to retain this values as much as possible. Situation had changed recently because of many immigrants coming from other parts of the country. So don't expect to find the honest Kandyans they describe in the colonial literature now. Be careful with your belongings and the people whom you associate with. But this is a peaceful city compared to most other parts of the country with a lesser crime rate.

[edit] Get in

• Train (from Colombo) - hassle free and scenic. But make sure you book the intercity express train in advance (at least one week ahead). Other trains are overly crowded and late. There is an observation saloon (first class) in this particular train which is highly recommendable.

• Taxi. If you're just arriving in Sri Lanka, heading for Kandy, you can hire a taxi from one of the stalls in the arrivals hall at Colombo airport for about R3500/-. The journey takes about 3 hours. This saves the hassle of going into Colombo, and is a lot quicker.

• Intercity air-conditioned bus (from Colombo) is the next best option to the train. But if you are a single girl make sure that you sit away from men to avoid unnecessary surprises. The best is to sit with a lady.

[edit] Get around

• The local "Three-Wheelers" (Tuc-Tuc) are an amazingly cheap and exciting way of seeing the city, and they run virtually all night long.

• Walking is also recommended - the centre is not that large - as a way of seeing temples, shops, shopping area and other sights around the lake.

[edit][add listing] See

• The Temple of the Tooth houses a tooth that came from the mouth of Lord Buddha, and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. The temple is open from dawn to dusk.

• The Pinawela Elephant Orphanage has about seventy semi-tame elephants roaming freely around this wonderful sanctuary. Feeding and bathing times are especially enjoyable. You can either hire a taxi to take you there or, if travelling on a budget, get a bus to Kagalle (about an hour away) for about R40/-, asking the driver to drop you off at the turn for Pinnewala which is 3 miles or so before you reach the town, and catch another local bus for the last 6 km or so.

• The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya [1] is the best botanical garden in Sri Lanka and one of the best ones in the region. Dates back to the ancient kings of the country. British colonials have changed the looks of it. You will be able to see many of the species in the region. Has a nice orchid house and a forest garden. Drive there through the University of Peradeniya [2] the most scenic and the largest university in the country.

• Bahirawakanda temple. The ominipresent Buddha statue seen from everywhere in Kandy city. Take a tuk tuk ride to the Temple, just 1 km away from the Kandy city.

• The Tea Museum, Hantane, Kandy. The ancient Tea Factory of Hantana Estate is converted in to a Museum dedicated to the history of Sri Lanka Tea. Run by the Sri lanka Tea Board.

• Udawatta Kele Royal Forest Sanctuary, the forest located "in the Kandy city", was planned and maintained as the part of the Royal palace complex of the Sinhala Kings. Tropical forest, wild life and some interesting ponds can be seen here. Wear long trousers after rain, as there are lots of leeches about.

• Temples around Kandy city are popular tourist attraction. Most famous temples are: Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya, Dodanwala Devalaya, Degaldoruwa, Hindagala Viharaya, Madawala Viharaya and Galmaduwa Viharaya.

• Visit Athur's seat for a panoramic view of the Kandy city.

• Imperial War Cemetery is located at Deveni Rajasinghe mawatha.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Perahera is the most famous festival in Kandy usually in August. It's a pageant where many elephants participate. You can buy expensive seats or can see it with the crowd. Buy a seat from the Queens hotel. This will be around $40. Buy the tickets from the officials or otherwise through middlemen you will be paying exorbitant prizes.

• Kandyan dancing you can see this traditional form of dancing in the "Kandyan Cultural Center" near the Kandy lake.

• Buddhis Publication society this is located near the lake. You can participate in discussions about Buddhism, meditation or you can buy some introductory materials about Buddhism.

• Nilambe meditation center, [3]. Have to take a "Galaha" bus passing Peradeniya (Get down from Nilambe "office junction". Is a Buddhist retreat which offers experiences of a monastic lifestyle. You can engage in daily activities which involves yoga classes, meditation and discussions.

• If there's a cricket match on, spend a day at the Asgiriya Stadium, possibly the world's prettiest test match venue, and certainly the only one that for most of the year is simply a school sports ground (Trinity College).

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Laksala is the state owned handicraft shop. you will be able to buy a lot of genuine handicrafts made by traditional artisans (don't be deceived by the fake products available with most tourist shops)

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Bake house, for snacks or traditional Sri Lankan meals. Scenic view of the City, from its first floor balcony, where they serve a Sri Lankan buffet, but this tends to sell out by about 7:30pm

• Devons is famous for quality snacks. Captain's table is at Upstairs of Devons. Good Sri Lankan and South Indian food.

• Avanhala, is just in front of the Kandy lake. Good food and best scenery.

• Rams Restaurant - located in front of the Pizza Hut (near the temple of tooth) offers nice south Indian food.

• The New Rams Restaurant is in the Colombo Street. Both places try to be the original "Rams" but all are descendants from the original famous restaurants. One should try both.

• The Flower Song Chinese Restaurant on Kotugodelle Vidaya is just north of the town centre. It sells excellent Chinese food - with huge portions of rice or noodles. It's clean, air-conditioned, and serves beers and wines.

• Dinemore , just opposite to the Anniewatta tunnel (longest road tunnel in Sri Lanka). On the top of Nihal's Super. Quality Mid-Eastern and South-Indian food for affordable prices.

• Lyones restaurant located in front of the Hindu Kovil. Serves quality food, both Western and Eastern.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• There are two popular bars on the main street (Dalada Vidaya), The Pub and The Pub Royale. The former serves quite good (but pricey, perhaps R700/-) meals, has a large screen for sports inside and a 1st floor outside verandah.

• There are a number of cheap bars (R100/- or less for a 650ml bottle of beer) scattered throughout the sidestreets near the town centre. They can be rather seedy and the kind of place where unaccompanied women could be made to feel very uncomfortable.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

There are lots of cheapish guest houses to the south and east of the lake, all a only a short walk from the town centre, and generally clean and friendly.

• Highest View Guest House. One of the best options in town, the rooms are clean, the smart roof top restaurant has very nice south Indian and Sri Lankan food and the city view is amazing. Rates around US$15. The owner Tony is very friendly and always ready to help in all the guests needs. edit

• Kandy Cottage, 160 Lady Gordon Drive, ☎ tel. +947143 27590 (askus@kandycottage.com), [4]. Eco-friendly retreat for writers and artists, but it also welcomes regular holiday makers with facilities from laundry to laser printing. Although it nestles in a little hollow adjoining a tiny virgin forest 'Udawatta Kele Royal Forest Sanctuary' - it is only ten minutes' walk from the city centre. It has two double rooms and one family suite, all of them enabled with broadband internet. Rates from US$10 to US$22 per person, accompanying children free if under 12. Half rate after the third night. edit

• Peace Haven Guest House, 47/10 Louis Pieris Mawatha (near the north-east corner of Kandy Lake), ☎ 2232584. Located a pleasant 20 minutes stroll by the lakeside from the centre of town. The owners, Mr & Mrs Atapattu, are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The rooms are cheap at R800/- (US$8) and clean, and the breakfasts include heaps of fresh fruit, all the toast you can eat, and good rich tea. Highly recommended. R800/- room only.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• The Hotel Thilanka, [5]. Quite near the town centre, has bars and a clean pool, and serves excellent buffet breakfasts. Non-residents can eat there in the evenings, but beware of the "Mexican" band strolling around the dining room, who will come and play at your table until you pay them to go away! edit

[edit] Splurge

• Queen's Hotel. One of Asia's Grand old hotels, built when Queen Victoria's empire included Sri Lanka. It's nicely located near the town centre, but if you want quiet you should ask for a room at the back of the hotel as the front overlooks the entrance of the Temple of the Tooth and it can get quite noisy out there at very early hours! A nice if slightly shabby place to stay with a pleasant little garden and pool at the back. edit

Earls Regency. 5 star hotel. edit

[edit] Stay safe

• Avoid people who attempt to offer their services to guide/help you to see or buy what is perfectly feasible by yourself. Kandy Lake and the railway station seem to be the favourite places for local touts to hang around and "offer assistance".

[edit] Respect

At sacred sites:

• Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
• Circumambulate sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.
• Preserve the peace and tranquility.
• Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.
• Remove shoes before entering the sites.
• Do not sit with the soles of the feet facing an image of the Buddha.

Be respectful in the religious places and wear long light colored clothes to them.

[edit] Get out

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