A sightseeing trip to Sri Lanka is incomplete without a visit to Kandy. Hotels in the area have also come to life in the recent past and a growth in inbound tourist numbers have been seen as well. A journey into the heart of the Central Province, will treat you to scenic views of tea laden mountainsides. The mighty Mahaweli River winds its way around Kandy as it surges along. Perched on its banks is the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, which offers guests a blend of luxury and heritage together with a breathtaking view.
Among Kandy’s many historic landmarks is the Ceylon Tea Museum. It was created in 1925 in what was once a functioning tea factory. The museum spans four floors and guided tours of the property can be arranged. The ground and second floors hold pieces of machinery used in the process of manufacturing tea. Much of the equipment was in use during colonial times; it paints a picture of Sri Lanka’s relationship with tea through the ages. Much of this equipment is still in working condition. The first floor is taken up by a library and auditorium that is set up with facilities for audio visual presentations. The third floor holds a fine selection of Sri Lankan teas that are available for purchase.
A restaurant is located on the top floor, where among the other food and beverage options one can get enjoy a complementary cup of tea! Walk the catwalk platform and get the same bird’s eye view that the superintendent and the tea maker had of the factory floor when it was in operation. The restaurant floor offers sweeping views of Kandy town and the tea plantations that surround it. The Knuckle’s Mountain Range and the hills of the Matale district are visible through the telescope mounted for visitors to use. Loolecondera Estate, where tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka is also located nearby.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
