{"id":26585,"date":"2018-05-24T11:26:41","date_gmt":"2018-05-24T01:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=26585&preview=true&preview_id=26585"},"modified":"2024-08-15T14:05:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T04:05:20","slug":"reasons-to-visit-kandy-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/reasons-to-visit-kandy-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"6 reasons we love Kandy (and why we think you will too)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sri Lanka<\/a> has been one of the world\u2019s hottest destinations \u2013 both literally and figuratively \u2013 for a while now.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder travellers are foregoing more well-trodden Asian destinations like Bali and Thailand. You can get a vitamin D fix on the beach in Mirissa<\/a>, admire the Dutch-inspired architecture in Galle Fort, visit ancient temples, and eat all the hoppers, rice and curry your heart desires. You can travel on some of the most scenic railways on earth, spot wild elephants<\/a> in Udawalawe National Park, and be utterly spoilt by the kindness and hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.<\/p>\n

\"Travellers

Photo by Ryan Bolton.<\/p><\/div>\n

And then, there\u2019s Kandy, nestled in the up-country hills in the heart of Sri Lanka. It\u2019s an increasingly popular spot for travellers \u2013 here are six reasons why we love it too.<\/p>\n

1. The climate<\/h3>\n
\"Kandy

Photo by Ryan Bolton.<\/p><\/div>\n

Because you\u2019re in the hills, you get some pretty sweet relief from the constant humidity of Colombo. While you\u2019re still likely to experience some mugginess during the day, Kandy has crisp mornings, and refreshing breezes in the afternoon. In the late afternoons and evenings, you may actually need a light jumper.<\/p>\n

VISIT KANDY ON A SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE WITH INTREPID NOW!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Kandy Lake<\/h3>\n
\"Jetty

Photo by Nuwan Liyanage.<\/p><\/div>\n

Situated in the centre of town lies Kandy Lake, an artificial lake constructed in 1807 by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. A stroll around the lake is a pretty nice way to while away an afternoon; a lap of the lake is just over three kilometres, so should take most wanderers around half an hour. There are plenty of benches along the path, if you need a rest.<\/p>\n

RELATED: SRI LANKA\u2019S MOST FASCINATING HISTORICAL SITES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3. The snacks<\/h3>\n
\"Bags

Photo by Maymory.<\/p><\/div>\n

What\u2019s the perfect accompaniment to a stroll around Kandy Lake? A snack (or four). A local favourite is a bag of chilli salt mango or pineapple, which you can pick up from vendors around the lake. Trust us, it\u2019s delicious. Stroll a little further afield to a local bakery, filled with a variety of curry-stuffed buns, rolls and breads (and plenty of sweet treats too). Kandy is also filled with Sri Lankan favourites, like kottu roti, treacle-soaked undu walalu, and hot fried tapioca root.<\/p>\n

RELATED: HOW TO EAT LIKE A LOCAL IN SRI LANKA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. The landscape<\/h3>\n
\"Kandy

Photo by SJ Travel Photo and Video<\/p><\/div>\n

Forested hills, colourful houses, morning mists clinging to the trees, impossibly beautiful views… What\u2019s not to love? The city is small enough to explore on foot, but if your feet need a break, wave down a tuk tuk to get you around.<\/p>\n

5. The temple<\/h3>\n
\"Locals

Photo by Ryan Bolton.<\/p><\/div>\n

Set on the edge of Kandy Lake, Maligawa Temple \u2013 more commonly known as the Temple of the Tooth \u2013 houses the relic of one of Buddha\u2019s teeth. Legend has it that the tooth was stolen from Buddha\u2019s funeral pyre in India and, years later, smuggled into Sri Lanka inside a princess\u2019s hairdo. Keep in mind you can\u2019t actually see<\/em> the tooth \u2013 it\u2019s locked inside a box and held behind glass \u2013 but the temple itself is an interesting place to visit.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. The Botanic Gardens<\/h3>\n
\"Travellers

Photo by Alexander A.Trofimov<\/p><\/div>\n

A short tuk tuk ride out of Kandy, the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens is a lovely spot for a walk and some quiet time. Once reserved exclusively for royalty, the gardens are the largest in Sri Lanka, and are home to coconut palms, a fragrant spice garden, orchids and bamboo groves. Spend a few hours exploring (or sitting in the shade with a book), then head back to Kandy for some rice and curry and a refreshing Lion beer.<\/p>\n

Explore Kandy for yourself on a small group adventure in Sri Lanka<\/a> with Intrepid.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feature image by Ryan Bolton.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note to self: always say yes to mango with chilli and salt at Kandy Lake. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15582,"featured_media":27230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[455,1313],"tags":[52,372],"class_list":["post-26585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","category-guides","tag-sri-lanka","tag-street-food","ipf_region-sri-lanka"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKandy, Sri Lanka: What To See, Do and Eat | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of our favourite parts of Sri Lanka is Kandy, nestled in the hills of the "up-country". 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