Kandy
is located at the center of Sri Lanka and is generally recognized as
the island nation's cultural capital. It is on the UNESCO World
Heritage List.
Get in Kandy.
*** Train (from Colombo) - hassle free and scenic. But make sure you
book the intercity express train in advance (at least one week
ahead). Other trains are overly crowded and late. There is a great
observation saloon (first class) in this particular train.
***Taxi. If you're just arriving in Sri Lanka, heading for Kandy,
you can hire a taxi from one of the stalls in the arrivals hall at
Colombo airport for about R6000/-. The journey takes about 3 hours.
This saves the hassle of going into Colombo, and is a lot quicker.
*** Hired mini-vans with a driver are available from Colombo through
travel agencies and hotel concierges. The road to Kandy is
astonishingly chaotic and frightening even for seasoned travelers.
Be prepared for a long slow slog in traffic, or, if your driver
decides to make the journey at a more practical speed, a
hair-raising adventure replete with passing around blind corners and
games of chicken with the ubiquitous intercity buses.
*** Intercity air-conditioned bus (from Colombo) is the next best
option to the train. But if you are a single girl make sure that you
sit away from men to avoid unnecessary surprises. The best is to sit
with a lady.
Things to see
*** The Temple of the Tooth houses a tooth that came from the mouth
of Lord Buddha, and is consequently considered one of Sri Lanka's
most holy shrines. The temple is open from dawn to dusk.
*** The Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage has about seventy semi-tame
elephants roaming freely around this wonderful sanctuary. Feeding
and bathing times are especially enjoyable. You can either hire a
taxi to take you there or, if travelling on a budget, get a bus to
Kegalle (about an hour away) for about R40/-, asking the driver to
drop you off at the turn for Pinnewala which is 3 miles or so before
you reach the town, and catch another local bus for the last 6 km or
so.
*** The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya is the best botanical
garden in Sri Lanka and one of the best ones in the region. Dates
back to the ancient kings of the country. British colonials have
changed the looks of it. You will be able to see many of the plant
species of the region. Has a nice orchid house and a forest garden.
Drive there through the University of Peradeniya the most
scenic and the largest university in the country.
*** Bahirawakanda temple. The ominipresent Buddha statue seen from
everywhere in Kandy city. Take a tuk tuk ride to the Temple, just 1
km away from the Kandy city.
*** The Tea Museum, Hantane, Kandy. The ancient Tea Factory of
Hantana Estate is converted into a Museum dedicated to the history
of Sri Lanka Tea. Run by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
*** Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary, the forest located "in the
Kandy city", was planned and maintained as the part of the Royal
palace complex of the Sinhala Kings. Tropical forest, wild life and
some interesting ponds can be seen here. Wear long trousers after
rain, as there are lots of leeches about.
*** Temples around Kandy city are popular tourist attraction. Most
famous temples are: Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka Viharaya, Embekke
Devalaya, Dodanwala Devalaya, Degaldoruwa, Hindagala Viharaya,
Madawala Viharaya and Galmaduwa Viharaya.
Hotels Accommodation in Kandy
*** Hotel Hilltop, +94 11 2308053,. LKR 6500 up. edit
*** Club Victoria Resort, +94 812 374420 / +94 773 095821
*** McLeod Inn, 65A Rajapihilla Mawatha, Kandy, 081 222 2832.
The couple who run the place are all smiles and very helpful. Rooms
are sparkling clean, comfy beds, en suite with hot and cold water.
Some beautiful views across Kandy from their balcony and from a
couple of rooms - room 6 especially has floor to ceiling windows. No
A/C, but you don't need it in Kandy. Email on mcleod@slnet.lk 1,300
to 1,700 LKR.
Budget Hotels
*** Kingdom Palace, 060 284 5256/0718 195216. Overlooking
lake, city and temple of the tooth LKR 1500 up.
*** Alcam Holiday Home, 0777 665927, [7]. LKR 950 up.
*** Expeditorkandy (expditorkandy@hotmail.com), 41/1, Saranankra
Road,Kandy (South of the lake, Overlooking), 081-2238316 . One
of the best options in town, the rooms are clean, very nice Sri
Lankan food and view of Tooth relic temple and Knuckles Range is
amazing. Rates negotioable. The owner Sumone Bandara is organising
trekking and other adventure activities and highly recommoneded by
guide books
*** Kandy Cottage, 160 Lady Gordon Drive, tel. +947143 27590 (askus@kandycottage.com),
. Eco-friendly retreat for writers and artists, but it also welcomes
regular holiday makers with facilities from laundry to laser
printing. Although it nestles in a little hollow adjoining a tiny
virgin forest 'Udawatta Kele Royal Forest Sanctuary' - it is only
ten minutes' walk from the city centre. It has two double rooms and
one family suite, all of them enabled with broadband internet. Rates
from US$10 to US$22 per person, accompanying children free if under
12. Half rate after the first week.
*** Burmese Rest. The cheapest option in town. The Buddhist monks
are friendly and the building is a quiet retreat from Kandy's noisy
streets. You'll find it after one kilometer on the right hand side,
on the road which begins at the Tooth Temple, leaving away from
Kandy Lake. . Room from 200 RS. edit
*** Peace Haven Guest House, 47/10 Louis Pieris Mawatha (near the
north-east corner of Kandy Lake), +94812232584. Located a pleasant
20 minutes stroll by the lakeside from the centre of town. The
owners, Mr & Mrs Atapattu, are friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
The rooms are cheap at R800/- (US$8) and clean, and the breakfasts
include heaps of fresh fruit, all the toast you can eat, and good
rich tea. Highly recommended. R800/- room only.
*** Beebopbeedoobi, top of hill (a walk down the hill to temple of
the tooth relic), 0775743966 (beebopbeedoobi@yahoo.com), . A
delightful family owned guest house. Clean, all rooms with bathrooms
attatched. Balcony with possibly the best scenary found in Kandy.
Close to town but peaceful and relaxed. A friendly guest house,
surprisingly located in more natural and beautiful surroundings.
Excellent food. R1200/-bed and breakfast.
*** Forest Glen, 150/6, Lady Gordon's Drive, tel. +94 0777 325228 (forestglen@ispkandyan.lk),
. Nice and quiet guest house just 10 minutes from the city center.
It is located in the jungle, close to the Udawattakelle Sanctuary.
The location is quiet and is a very nice retreat where you can relax
on the balcony with a beer while listening to the jungle sounds.
Rates from $13 (twin bed room), not sure about the rate for the
singles. Fantastic location and friendly host! |
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