Sri Lanka may be famed for its beaches, but head inland and you will find a city in the mountains steeped in history and set amidst stunning natural beauty; enchanting Kandy offers much to discover.
A Bit of History
The ancient Kingdom of Kandy dates back to the 15th century and was an impressive stronghold in the mountains that the Portuguese and Dutch colonial rulers could not conquer. In 1851 however, Kandy under King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was ceded to the British becoming Sri Lanka’s last great kingdom.
Getting There
Kandy is approximately 116 km from the commercial capital, Colombo from where one can take the bus or train to this city; the train offers a more scenic and faster journey! One can also hire a vehicle with a driver or drive yourself; it takes around 3.5 – 4 hours depending on traffic.
Places to Stay
There are many accommodation options be it at hostels, hotels or bungalows in Kandy. Of course, to truly get a feel of the city’s old world charm and surrounding natural beauty, staying at colonial-style bungalows the likes of Mountbatten Bungalow is a good idea.
Local Attractions
A key attraction in the Sacred City of Kandy which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a definite must visit. During July one can also witness the annual procession known as the Kandy Esala Perahera. The Udawattakele Forest Sanctuary, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya and the National Museum of Kandy are worth visiting as well.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+