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A Full Day of Enchanting Sightseeing in Kandy
If you’re touring Sri Lanka then it’s likely that you will be visiting Kandy. Known as Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, Kandy certainly lived up to its reputation with a full day of sightseeing that ranged from gems and flowers to fiery dance performances and sacred relics.
Visit a Gem Showroom
Our sightseeing tour of Kandy began at a gem showroom. Here we were introduced to one of Sri Lanka’s most treasured exports. The showroom wasn’t just a place to ogle glittering jewels. We were also given a short and informative introduction to the gem-mining process, including how the stones are extracted, cut, and polished.
I had no idea so many gems came from Sri Lanka! Even more surprising was learning that many of these gems eventually find their way into the jewellery shops of London’s jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden. It was fascinating to see their journey start here, before sparkling in shop windows halfway across the world.
We were given the opportunity to purchase some gems. But given that we had just got married we neither had the money or the desire to splash out on (more) jewellery!
I’m not entirely sure which gem showroom we visited but there are several dotted about Kandy.
Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens
After our pit stop at the showroom, it was straight on to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, just outside Kandy. Spanning over 60 hectares, this lush oasis is home to over 4000 species of plants, including palm trees and spices.
Our guide took us on a leisurely walk through the grounds. He pointed out key features and explained a little about the gardens. I’ll admit I’m not much of a green-fingered goddess, but even I could appreciate the carefully landscaped beauty and serenity of the place. The avenue of royal palms and the orchid house were particular highlights. The Royal Botanical Gardens are particularly famous for their orchids. The flower garden was also very lovely with all its brightly coloured flowers neatly kept.
The Royal Botanical Gardens are open 365 days a year from 7.30am until 6pm. There are many organised tours of Kandy that include the gardens.
Watch a cultural dance show
After a short break back at the hotel, we rejoined our guide in the early evening for the next part of our cultural immersion: a Kandyan dance performance.
The dance show was entertaining. We watched the performers dance in different brightly coloured costumes and play an assortment of instruments. We were given a printed guide to what we were watching, so we could understand a little about the dances. The performance began with the blowing of the conch shell, a traditional welcome. And it ended with what I considered the most impressive part – seeing the dancers walk on hot coals and play with FIRE.
Our cultural dance show was performed at the Kandyan Cultural Centre Hall, a short distance from the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic
After the show we took a short walk to to one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka: the Temple of the Tooth Relic. This Buddhist temple is believed to house a tooth of the Buddha. It is a major pilgrimage site for devout Buddhists around the world. It is also another of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Call me uncultured, but I wasn’t really sure what I was supposed to be looking out for so just happy-snapped pictures of the beautifully ornate interior. It wasn’t until we joined the crowds upstairs that we realised that the tooth relic was behind a closed door. People were waiting for the ceremonial door to open and reveal the gold casket said to contain the sacred tooth. Although you can’t actually see the tooth itself, the moment the doors opened was met with a surge of excitement from the crowd. It was all a bit too much for me though – being too hot and crowded in the temple. I was more than ready to retreat back to some fresh air and calm.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is open every day from 5.30am until 8pm. Note that there is a dress code, so it is best to cover up when visiting this sacred site.
Book your tickets for The Temple of the Tooth Relic here.
Where to stay in Kandy
We stayed at the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy hotel. A modern and spacious accommodation nestled in the serene hillside. The property overlooks the peaceful Mahaweli River, offering stunning panoramic views of the water and surrounding area.
My favourite part of the hotel was the outdoor pool area. I enjoyed a refreshing dip while watching the river gently flow by. The restaurant terrace was another highlight, which was lovely to sit on and enjoy a cup of local tea while admiring the view. If you’re looking for a comfortable and serene place to unwind after a busy day of sightseeing, this hotel is an excellent choice.
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