Kandy was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 15th to the 19th century and is now the second-largest city. The whole city is surrounded by mountains and is famous worldwide for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Its rich natural environment and unique cultural sites make Kandy a popular tourist destination.
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◦ Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
In the 5th century BC, after Buddha's passing, he left behind four tooth relics. One was taken to the heavens, and three others remained on earth. One of these relics is enshrined in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka.
This tooth is a national treasure of Sri Lanka and a symbol of royal power. In the past, kings had to worship the tooth when they ascended to the throne, and even today, presidents must do the same when they take office. This makes the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic a symbol of power and status. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Every evening at 6:30 PM, the tooth is displayed to the public for half an hour. Three hours before the display, I sat with the locals in the hallway, listening to them chant prayers. They didn’t have prayer books, only lotus flowers, but they could recite the scriptures from memory, showing how deeply ingrained the words were in their minds.
When the tooth was finally displayed, there was a long line and limited time, so each person only had a moment to see it. In that brief glance, a golden, magnificent stupa was etched into my mind. I couldn’t find the tooth itself, but it didn’t matter. The focused gazes and quiet weeping of the people around me completed my impression of the sacred tooth.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic Opening Hours: 0530-2000 Ticket Prices: 2,000 LKR (04/2024)
◦ Kandy Lake
Just take a walk around Kandy Lake, and you'll fall in love with this place! The path around the lake is perfect for a leisurely walk. You can enjoy views of the green hills in the distance and admire the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic from afar. Various street food vendors, students sketching, and couples on dates add vibrant life to Kandy.
◦ The Video
◦ Kandy City Centre
Kandy City Centre is a shopping mall located near Kandy Lake. The mall offers shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one place. I was particularly impressed by the modern VR games!
Kandy City Centre Opening Hours: 1000-2130 Location: Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe Mawatha
◦ Royal Botanic Garden
Located in the outskirts of Kandy, the Royal Botanical Garden covers a vast area and has over 4,000 species of plants. It’s a paradise for plant lovers! In addition to lush trees and colorful flowers, many bird species inhabit this area, making it a great spot for observing natural wildlife. Since there are monkeys in some areas, it's best to avoid carrying plastic bags or food to prevent being attacked.
Royal Botanic Garden Opening Hours: 0730-1700 Ticket Prices: 3,000 LKR (04/2024)
◦ Restaurants
01｜ Sri Krishna Dosai
Dosai is a type of pancake that originated in India and is also popular in Sri Lanka and other South Asian regions. It is made from a batter of rice flour and black gram flour, which is spread thinly on a griddle and cooked until golden and crispy. Sri Krishna Dosai offers both regular dosas and special versions with additional fillings. If you like spicy food, I highly recommend their spicy cheese varieties; they are both appetizing and delicious!
Opening Hours: 0730-2230 Location: 14 A9, Kandy
02｜Java Lounge Coffee
In Sri Lanka, a shop with air conditioning already earns high marks! This café not only has air conditioning but also provides power outlets, WiFi, and clean restrooms. Although it's a bit pricey by local standards—similar to the cost of an average café in Taiwan—it's definitely worth it!
Opening Hours: 0630-2330 Location: 20 DS Senanayake Veediya
03｜Midland Deli
Located in the center of Kandy, very close to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, there is a restaurant that serves food quickly and tastes great. For me, their curry is a bit too spicy, but as I kept eating, I found it quite appetizing and delicious when paired with rice. If the weather is nice, you can also go upstairs and sit on the balcony to enjoy the sunshine.
Opening Hours: 0600-2200 Location: No 5, D. S. Senanayake Veediya
◦ Meili Lanka City Hotel
Meili Lanka City Hotel is a great place to stay, located within a 10-15 minute walk from attractions such as Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Considering the room rate of only 13 US dollars per night, the rooms are truly fantastic! They come with air conditioning, good water pressure, and hot water, and the beds are quite comfortable too! The only minor drawback is that the staff at the front desk may not speak English fluently, so you might need to use Google Translate to communicate.
Double room with air conditioning (for single occupancy)（單人用） 110B Yatinuwara St, Kandy Price: 12.25 per night (04/2024)
◦ How to Get to Kandy
Kandy is the second-largest city in Sri Lanka, and it's very convenient to get around, whether by bus or train. However, if you choose to travel by train, it's important to note that even for second-class tickets, you might end up with standing tickets if purchased on-site. To ensure a seat, you can book tickets online and then collect the physical tickets at the train station.