How to Plan a Day Trip to Kandy – A City of Diverse Attractions

 The charming city of Kandy in Sri Lanka attracts a host of visitors each year. It is regarded as being one of the island nation’s cultural hubs and presents some captivating attractions for the visitor. Even if you have just one day to experience this city (ideally you should spend longer here!), you will be able to visit a selection of its major attractions, including those described below.

Charith Gunarathna from Kandy, Sri Lanka, Kandy Sri Lanka (25817983741), CC BY 2.0

Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Taking pride of place in Kandy would be the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and no visit to the city would be complete without experiencing this important religious attraction. In fact, this place of worship is sacred to Buddhists because, as its name indicates, it is believed to contain a tooth relic of the founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha. You will find that the ambience inside the temple is pleasant, with the aroma of coconut oil from the lamps and candles as well as the fragrance of fresh flowers greeting the visitor. You will see local devotees flocking in numbers to this temple too. Within the compound, you will notice many features of interest such as paintings, exquisite carvings and statues, while there are smaller shrines and temples as well.

Explore Udawattakele Sanctuary

Nature lovers will be in their element at the pleasant Udawattakele Sanctuary which happens to be a forest reserve featuring diverse kinds of flora and fauna. This nature sanctuary is a popular location for bird watching since many interesting kinds of avifauna can be spotted here. Visitors will also have the chance to view some animals of the wild here such as porcupines, monkeys, deer and wild boars. Nature lovers will enjoy strolling through the paths as the vegetation is not exceedingly dense and it will be possible to explore the environs of the sanctuary without assistance.

 Admire the Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue

This immense statue may be considered another noteworthy religious attraction in Kandy. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, as well as a popular sightseeing attraction. You will see that this colossal statue is on a hill which you must ascend to reach the site; from this location, you will have the chance to enjoy spectacular views over the surrounding areas. You will find that this striking statue is beautifully illuminated in the nighttime creating a stunning sight as well. It may be said that a visit to this religious attraction is a pilgrimage, an adventure and a spiritual experience at the same time.

 Relax at Kandy Lake

This pleasant lake is a manmade creation and a great location at which to take a breather and a respite from your sightseeing exertions in the city. It is always an agreeable experience to take a relaxed stroll around the lake and enjoy the picturesque views. You will also have the chance to take a boat ride on this lake which will be another memorable experience. To truly experience and spend time at such attractions in Kandy you should undertake a longer stay in the city. For this purpose, an accommodation choice to consider within easy reach of this lake would be Hotel Topaz which will also draw the interest of the visitor seeking the best restaurants in Kandy.

 Experience the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

A not-to-be-missed attraction to be found in the environs of Kandy would be the distinctive Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. This sightseeing highlight which is also referred to as the Royal Botanic Gardens happens to be the biggest botanical garden in Sri Lanka, containing more than 4,000 kinds of plants. One of its entrancing features would be its collection of flowers, notably a diverse selection of orchids. Other noteworthy elements include the great lawn, palm avenues, spice gardens, the display of cacti, flowering trees and the plant house. Strolling through these gardens is sure to be an entrancing and memorable experience.