Colombo Trip Overview
Kandy, more popularly known as the hill capital of Sri Lanka, is an attractive tourist destination. Its history dates back to the 15th century, when it was the last royal capital of the country. The city is 104km from Negombo and is the second biggest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy has an abundance of culture around it; the Temple of the Tooth being the most popular attraction.The center of the city is situated in a valley which is elevated at 600m above sea level. Kandy Lake is an artificial creation by one of the past rulers and today, it is a scenic center piece of the town. And the Peradeniya Garden is the stunning and charming Royal Botanical Gardens that was once a paradise used only by the royal kings. Now a popular attraction consisting of extraordinary species of flora. And Climb to Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, A Day tour of Kandy should not be missed out on your tour of Sri Lanka!
Additional Info
Duration: 13 to 14 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Kandy, more popularly known as the hill capital of Sri Lanka, is an attractive tourist destination. Its history dates back to the 15th century, when it was the last royal capital of the country. The city is 104km from Negombo and is the second biggest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy has an abundance of culture around it; the Temple of the Tooth being the most popular attraction.The center of the city is situated in a valley which is elevated at 600m above sea level. Kandy Lake is an artificial creation by one of the past rulers and today, it is a scenic center piece of the town. And the Peradeniya Garden is the stunning and charming Royal Botanical Gardens that was once a paradise used only by the royal kings. Now a popular attraction consisting of extraordinary species of flora. And Climb to Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue, A Day tour of Kandy should not be missed out on your tour of Sri Lanka!
Stop At: Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya 20400 Sri Lanka
Snuggled in a luscious area which is approximately 5.5 kilometers away from the city of Kandy, is the stunning and charming gardens that were once a paradise used only by the royal kings. Lofty trees, vibrant flowers and many plants both indigenous to Sri Lanka and planted by dignitaries span 147 acres. The Royal Botanical Garden has a renowned history as the beginning of this garden dates back to 1371 during the time of the ruling Sinhalese Royals. It was created during the time of King Wickramabahu III.
The king was said to have kept court at Peradeniya near the Mahaweli River which is the longest river in Sri Lanka. Once he ascended the throne, this area became his abode. After this it was the era of King Kirthi Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe.
A temple was built in this vicinity which was destroyed by the British who possessed control of the Kandy Kingdom in 1815.
During the British rule, Alexander Moon undertook the groundwork and development of the botanical gardens in 1821 with the use of this landscape for coffee and cinnamon cultivation plants.
History says in 1843 it was originally established as the Botanical Garden at Peradeniya. In 1844, under the supervision and guidance of the superintendent George Gardener, the Royal Botanical Garden began to be independent and expanded and continued to be run by the British until independence in 1948.
It is famous for its rich diversity of orchids for it is home to more than 4000 species of plants which are orchid species, medicinal plants and palm trees. The availability of The National Herbarium of Sri Lanka is yet another attraction.
The tropical timber trees, palm trees, the giant bamboo of Burma and the Cannonball tree which has waxy pink flowers and fruit, the double palm tree from the Seychelles, the Javan fig trees which are said to be so big, that they spread over an area of 19,375 square feet. They are fascinating and will leave you awestruck with its beauty.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Kandy’s pride and prestige, the Temple of the Tooth – Sri Dalada Maligawa is the city’s most sacred and vital attraction. Its significance reflects to the legacy of the tooth relic of Lord Buddha being encased in a golden chest. The Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th century AD and was kept in various temples across the island and eventually kept at this Temple of the Tooth. It was built in the 1600s but renovations, additions and enhancements have been done until the Kingdom of Kandy fell to the British in 1815. After the British took over, the custody of the Tooth Relic was palmed over to the Buddhist Clergy. Due to the absence of a ruler, a lay custodian known as the Diyawadana Nilame was chosen to handle administration of the temple.
During recent years, a golden roof was added. Rituals are held daily at different times paying homage to the shrine. The temple sits majestically with its added octagonal pavilion. Classical Kandyan architecture was used in building the whole temple complex. The main shrine consists of two floors. Several chambers have been constructed on each floor, in which one houses the relic of the tooth known as ‘handun kunama’. The chamber has an ivory carved door and the tooth is encased in a golden casket studded with seven gemstones. The massive carved arched entrance has figures of elephants on both sides. Just before the entrance, there is a moonstone on the floor. The moonstone is a half moon of rock carved with lines of animals and intricate designs. The interior of the shrine is adorned with exquisite and stunning paintings and the corridors have low arched ceilings and polished concrete floors.
The Royal Palace is next to the shrine and is now an archaeological museum. The Audience Hall now serves as a chamber for religious ceremonies. Upon seeing the shrine and its interiors, one gets reminiscent of the lives of the ancient times during the reigns of royal kings.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: National Museum Kandy, National Museum, Kandy, Central Province, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Explore the heritage of Sri Lanka through seeing various items of the past such as ancient moonstones, ola leaf manuscripts, different sizes of pots and statues. There are loads of royal relics, scepters, thrones, swords, weapons, jewelry, tools and coins. Most of the items belong to the Kandyan and post-British colonial eras.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Kandy Lake, Centre of Kandy City, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
The centerpiece of Kandy, the Kandy Lake, a place where time stands still. Originally called Kiri Muhuda or Milky Sea, the lake was built in 1807 by the last king of Kandy and Sri Lanka, King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, an man made lake epitomizing a part that represents the final Sri Lankan kingdom.
A characteristic of the lake is the unfinished wall called, Valakulu Bamma or the Clouds Wall. This wall couldn’t be completed because of the imprisonment of the king when the British took over in 1815. This wall gives notable recognition to the lake with its unusual patterns with triangular holes which are used to light oil lamps.
There is an island in the center of the lake which was made by the king and it was used as his harem. The British destroyed it and used it as a spot for storing ammunition. The Temple of the Tooth Relic borders one side of the lake, adding charm and beauty to the city. People take pleasure in walking around the lake; sitting on benches and watching city life drift by.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue, Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy 20000 Sri Lanka
Sitting majestically 88 feet high on top of a hill, crowning Kandy is a white colossal statue of Buddha named as Bahirawakanda Vihara. Climbing the numerous steps to the top gives one a sense of peace, serenity and harmony; and a stunning and gorgeous panoramic view of charming Kandy. Being one of the tallest and most beautiful Buddha statues in Sri Lanka and Kandy’s most revered religious monuments, this Bahirawakanda Vihara has become a popular attraction for tourists. The hill named as Bahirawa Kanda translates as ‘Devil’s Hill’ so therefore the climb up is rather challenging.
Duration: 2 hours
