About the place

A terrific combination of lush rainforests, beautiful hills, scenic beauty and cultural importance, Kandy Tourism is something, which you cannot miss. Located right in the middle of the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, Kandy or Maha Nuvara as it is called in Sinhalese – meaning great city, is considered to be the cultural hub of Lanka. Kandy proudly houses the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which is an architectural marvel in itself. UNESCO identified the temple as of one of the World Heritage Sites in 1988.

Apart from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy offers a lot of outdoor fun with its destinations like the Bogambara lake, Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage, Millenium Elephant Foundation, Wales park and Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary for the perfect adrenaline rush for the adventure seekers. For those who have an eye for trekking, Kandy serves as the ideal port of call in Sri Lanka. The Knuckles Mountain Range tucked in the middle of Matale and Kandy districts partly attributes to Kandy getting the name of the Hill Capital of Sri Lanka. Although Kandy is the second largest in Sri Lanka concerning geography, there is a very little nightlife.

There is so much to explore in Kandy, it can sometimes be overwhelming and hiring a Kandy Tour guide is one thing you can do. We will discuss tourism elaborately in Kandy in this Kandy Travel guide. The calm, serene atmosphere amidst the hilly terrain compliments the quiet and peaceful town of Kandy. If you are someone looking for a tranquil getaway, a royal vacation, and a culture concoction, Kandy is the place to be.

Best time to Visit

The tropical rainforest climate of Kandy does not put the city under extremities of temperature. Since the town is surrounded by hilly terrains, with a higher elevation, the temperatures are comparatively more relaxed and more pleasant than the rest of the country. At an altitude of 1640 above sea level, the months of July and August are the best time to visit Kandy, if you are a fan of tropical climate. Also to add that if you happen to visit Kandy in July-August, you will enjoy watching the Kandy Esala Perahera which is also called The Festival of the Tooth. It is one of the major festivals of the land, and the locals celebrate it with great pomp and grandeur which allows you to take a sneak peak of Sri Lanka's rich culture and heritage.

The temperature in Kandy ranges anywhere between 18 to 29 °C making January the coldest month and July its hottest month. Kandy gets to experience two different types of monsoon – the maha (northeast) monsoon and the Yela (southwest) monsoon. The Hill Capital of Sri Lanka receives its maximum rainfall from the Yela monsoon, and hence May to October is the wet months, thus making trekking difficult for tourists during these months.

How to Reach

The nearest airport to reach Kandy is the Bandaranaike International Airport at Colombo. In addition the newly operative domestic air services like Cinnamon Air services and Air Taxi’s cover the 135 km distance between Colombo and Kandy in a matter of 30 minutes, at a nominal cost.

The nearest airport to reach Kandy is the Bandaranaike International Airport at Colombo. Also the newly operational domestic air services like Cinnamon Air services and Air Taxi's cover the 135 km distance between Colombo and Kandy in a matter of 30 minutes, at a nominal cost.

A rail trip to Kandy from Colombo is a pure delight to the eyes. The first train to Kandy from Colombo leaves at around 7 AM in the morning. These trains also have an observatory coach to enjoy the scenery of the hill-dotted beauty, and it is advised to have the reservations taken care of well ahead to make the most of the train journey.

Transport

Local buses are the best mode of commute in Kandy, with fares starting as cheap as 9 LKR, Kandy has not just one, but three bus stands which can be used as a reliable mode of transport to see the places within a 10km range. The Good Shed bus stand is right next to the railway station, and it is the best connected with all the long-distance destinations. Recently introduced self-drive Tuk-Tuks provide you with a less than a 5-year old vehicle with insurance and driving license included. This mode of transport is the best option if you wish to explore the city at your own pace.

Weather

Kandy has a tropical climate through the year, with the average annual temperature of 24.5 °C. The geography of Kandy, with it being surrounded by hills and forest reserves actually aid in bringing down the temperature of the place and making it pleasant, when compared to other coastal regions of Sri Lanka. If you do not want to stay indoors due to incessant rain, then October is the month that you need to avoid visiting this place as October is the wettest month with the maximum amount of rainfall. Alternatively, March is the hottest month. December to May are the most favourable month to visit Kandy.

Map

Located in the central province of Sri Lanka surround by Mahaweli River and mountain ranges like Knuckles and Hanthana the city lies in the Kandy plateau. One can find a detailed map of Kandy and the surrounding towns in the Kandy railway station. The local guides and people of Kandy are accommodating, and you can always approach them when in need of any assistance in navigating the city. There are self-drive scooters available for rent as well to explore the city. This calm hill city is safe and more laid back when compared to other northern cities in the country.

Culture/People/Language/History

Besides being an interesting tourist spot, Kandy also serves as a sacred place for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka. In the olden times, under the reign of Vikramabahu Kandy served as the capital of Sri Lanka, from the 15th century to the early 19th century. The Kingdom of Kandy served as a very major monarchy of ancient Sri Lanka, from 1590 to 1818, when it finally succumbed to the British invasion.

The people of Kandy, also known as the Kandyans are amiable and warm, always willing to extend a helping hand. Although Sinhalese form the vast majority of the population, Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils, Malays, Sri Lankan Moors also have made Kandy their habitat. Of all the festivals like Duruthu Perehera, Navam Perehara, and the Poson Festival, the most important one is the Esala Perahera festival which pays homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha lasting for ten days. This festival is a feast for the eye, as it features traditional dancers, whip crackers, and elephants in a procession. The festival ends with a ritual called ‘Diya Kapeema' (water cutting), at the bank of Mahaveli River near Peradeniya.

The major regional languages spoken are Sinhalese and Tamil, the primary foreign language being English. Navigating and touring in Kandy is not going to be a little tedious affair considering this.