Royal City of Kandy
Nestled in lush green hills and built around a scenic lake, the Royal City of Kandy, at 500m above sea level, is the hub of any visit to the hill country. Kandy (Colombo 116km) a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the last bastion of resistance to colonial rule. Even today, Kandyans pride themselves on their distinctive architecture, music, dance and art. The showpiece of the city is the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth, which hosts the Buddha’s tooth relic, an item of veneration to all Buddhists. Each year, in July or August, the city holds the Esala Perahera, a spectacular procession and display of medieval pageantry - replete with caparisoned elephants, whirling fire-dancers and pulsating drummers - the main purpose of which is to parade the tooth relic. Strolling around the lake or exploring the numerous temples that dot the hills nearby is an ideal way to experience the atmosphere of this historic city.
The journey from Colombo to Kandy provides fine views of the steadily ascending scenery. Not to be missed is the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, where visitors can get up close and personal with over 60 pachyderms, ranging from cute babies and mischievous adolescents to majestic tuskers. Just before you enter Kandy, at Peradeniya, are the Royal Botanical Gardens, which contain a bewildering array of local and foreign species, set in a tranquil site adjacent to the mighty Mahaweli Ganga, Sri Lanka’s most important river. And when you are in Kandy make sure you visit Udawattakele
For many centuries, traders were drawn to the island by the allure of its spices. Numerous spice gardens north of Kandy allow you to see how cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and cardamom all continue to flourish in the island’s fertile soil. And golfing enthusiasts should not miss the stunning Victoria Golf and Country Resort, set on the edge of a reservoir 20km east of Kandy.
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