Colombo to Kandy by Tuktuk!
We’re back on the road, thanks to tuktukrental.com! We decided a tuktuk is the best way to explore Sri Lanka. Our journey takes us 500m above sea level to Kandy. Here, we plan to visit some of Lanka’s sacred and adventurous sites.
As we entered the city, the first sight we saw was Kandy Lake, also known as Bogambara Lake. Most visitors enjoy a customary stroll around the lake. The last ruler of the Kandy kingdom built it in 1807. Its fortress-style parapet holds a lot of history.
Visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic
A few minutes’ walk from the lake is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This temple holds the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Artisans from the Kandyan kingdom beautifully carved and painted its ceilings and walls. It remains a very sacred place of worship for all Buddhists.
Palaces, Parades, and Performances
If you are curious about ancient times, visit the Royal Palace of Kandy. On the temple grounds, you can also see the preserved remains of a great tusker named “Raja.” For over fifty years, he carried the Sacred Relic casket in the annual Kandy Esala Perahera.
The Kandy Esala Perahera, or the Festival of the Tooth, is a beautiful celebration. It takes place in July and August. The festival features traditional costumes and enchanting performances. You can also enjoy Sri Lankan cultural dances at a few spots around the lake. A local will likely tell you where to find them, hoping to earn a small commission.
We stayed overnight in a cozy hotel facing a beautiful mountain. In the morning, we walked to a sanctuary right in the middle of Kandy city.
An Urban Oasis: Udawattekele Sanctuary
The Udawattekele Sanctuary (Udawasala watta) is an amazing place to explore. It contains two caves where monks once lived and meditated. You can also see an ancient, centuries-old Giant Liana spreading throughout the woods. The sanctuary includes a German temple and several nature trails. If you are up for an adventure, you can get lost on these trails! However, keep in mind that Google Maps is not accurate here. For navigation, use the accurate map printed on the back of your entrance ticket.
You could easily spend an entire day in this forest. It is full of various birds, flowers, plants, deer, and monkeys. If you prefer, you can also rent a bike to ride along the trails.
The Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya
About 5km from Kandy, you will find the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. This is another place where you could spend an entire day. You can stroll around and observe the beautifully kept gardens. They feature about 4,000 species of plants. For example, look for the giant bamboo of Burma. It can grow a staggering 12 inches each day!
Another magnificent sight is the Giant Javan Fig tree. It is more than a century old and has an umbrella-like top. Its tentacle-like roots spread across a large area. These are just two of the countless amazing plants you can view here.
Shopping and Entertainment at KCC
If you want to do some shopping, visit the KCC – Kandy City Center. You can find almost anything and everything there. The complex also has a few fine eateries in its cafeteria. You can even enjoy a rooftop roller coaster!
A Fond Farewell to Kandy
Overall, Kandy was a wonderful place to visit. Saying goodbye to such a city was hard. We made a promise to come back soon. There are still a few other interesting places we did not have time for.