Activities to Do in Kandy | Things to Do in Kandy
Visit The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Hike to Alagalla Mountain Range, Watch Kandyan Dance Performance, Explore International Buddhist Museum, Visit the Beautiful Kandy Lake, See Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage and many more.
Surrounded by tea plantations and mountains from all over the place, you will never run out of options for the things to do in Kandy. From visiting the sacred places to hiking in the mountains to exploring the International Buddhist Museum to watching local Kandyan performances to visiting the Botanical and spice gardens, Kandy offers you a wide range of activities that suits the itinerary of everyone. Even the wildlife and exotic flora and fauna are in abundance in this holy city of Sri Lanka that will amuse you.
If you are someone looking for a fun time then the best things to do in Kandy include indulging in some delicious local delicacies and watching the famous Kandyan dance performances while you are in Kandy. The city is bustling with street markets, heritage places and religious spots that travellers can explore and get the taste of the Kandyan culture.
01. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Location in Map, At the heart of Kandy’s rich history is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most revered places in Buddhist culture. This temple houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha. Visitors are greeted by the elaborate architecture and the rhythmic chants of daily pujas (prayer rituals) which provide a profound sense of peace and spirituality. The temple complex also hosts the annual Esala Perahera, a spectacular festival featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants, making it a vibrant testimony to Sri Lanka’s cultural wealth.
02. The Royal Botanical Gardens
Location Map, Just a short drive from the city center lies the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya. Known for its remarkable collection of orchids, the garden is a sprawling 147 acres of lush, landscaped grounds filled with a vast array of plant species. The giant Javan fig tree on the great lawn, with its colossal canopy, is a sight to behold. The gardens serve as a tranquil retreat from the bustling city life and offer a perfect picnic spot for families and nature enthusiasts.
03. Kandyan Dance Performances
Experience the unique Kandyan dance performances, a traditional dance form that originated in the area. These performances, characterized by dynamic drum rhythms, acrobatic leaps, and vibrant costumes, tell stories of Sri Lanka’s history and folklore through dance. The Kandy Lake Club provides nightly performances that showcase the best of Kandyan dance in an intimate setting.
04. Adventure and Leisure: Hiking and More
For the more adventurous, Kandy offers numerous hiking trails that range from easy walks to challenging treks. The Udawattekele Sanctuary is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city. It provides a serene environment to observe a variety of flora and fauna, including endemic bird species and occasionally, monkeys. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, a boat ride on the Kandy Lake offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding hills.
Alagalla Rock hiking
Going deep into Sri Lanka, in the west of Kandy, is the location of the Alagalla Mountain Range. Hikers are eager to climb this 3,744-foot (1,440 meters) peak that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the country and the mountain ranges. This is easily one of the most thrilling and breathtaking adventurous activities you can indulge in Kandy.
Location: Boundaries of the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces in Sri Lanka
Difficulty Level: Moderate
05. See Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, as its name implies, holds a special place in ex-situ animal care. It has achieved significant success and recognition, both locally and globally, becoming synonymous with the Sri Lankan Elephant.
The orphanage, which now shelters 93 elephants, was founded by the late Honorable Minister Kalugalle on February 16, 1975. At the time, Pinnawala was a remote locale, characterized by lush coconut plantations and a ready availability of mahouts. The area is also ideal because it is near the “Ma Oya” river, which provides the substantial amounts of water needed by the elephants.
Each elephant at the orphanage is fed approximately 76 kilograms of green matter daily, along with 2 kilograms of a food mix containing rice bran and maize. Pinnawala, known for having the largest herd of captive elephants in the world, attracts numerous local and international tourists every day. The highlight for many visitors is watching the elephants during their spectacular bathing sessions.
Pinnawala’s story has captured the interest of animal activists and scientists worldwide, leading to a wealth of publications and research in various languages. The elephants have been extensively documented through films, videos, and photographs, both by professionals and amateurs. The conservation efforts promoted by the orphanage have reached and educated millions globally.
For anyone visiting Sri Lanka with an interest in its wildlife, a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is essential. It offers a chance not only to appreciate the beauty of rural Sri Lanka but also to find the perfect souvenir to remember the experience.
06. Visit the Beautiful Kandy Lake
Kandy lake was built to beautify the temple of the Sacred Tooth. This lake is surrounded by lush greenery and mountains and taking a stroll by the lake is a seren experience in itself . Travellers also indulge in some early morning jog around the lake and consider it one of the best things you can do in Kandy in your free timeYou can go for a long walk or a jog along the shore of Kandy lake.
07. Roam the Streets and City Centre
Another entertaining thing to do in Kandy is exploring the streets bustling with local shops along with the City Centre. Located right across the Kandy lake, you can easily spot the old buildings and street vendors close by. The ten story commercial and retails complex includes everything from clothes to shoes to souvenirs for a shopping lover.
Your day will easily get concluded while exploring the street of Kandy full of interesting local shops, food stalls selling the local delicacy from Kandy, coconut water and more.
08.Get a Massage at Ayurveda Wedagedara
When it comes to Ayurvedic treatment and Massage therapies then nothing can excel, the professionalism and arrangement of Ayurveda Wedagedara. The centre has efficient Ayurvedic consultants, experienced massage therapists, qualified doctors and skilled nurse practitioners to help the visitors with various ailments and chronic health problems.
The centre provides both wellness treatments as well as Ayurvedic training. There are various packages and multiple message treatments which can be availed with an advance appointment. The ambience is good and a must visit location for relaxation as well as healing.
Location: Rajasinghe Mawatha Kandy
09 Kandy Spice Garden
Sri Lanka is known as Spice Island as it consists of three famous Spice Gardens- Ranweli spice gardens in Kandy and Arunalu spice gardens in Matale and the New Ranweli Spice gardens in Kandy. The spices are grown by organic methods, and the trading is done with the fair trade certification. What makes these spices famous and renowned is their quality.
When you visit the Spice Garden of Kandy, they will show you the process of cultivation, harvesting, cleaning, and packaging of the 15 different varieties of spices that are cultivated here. They also inform you about the health benefits and what these spices and herbs are used for.
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