Kandy

The sacred city of Kandy sits on a plateau surrounded by mighty mountains in the central highlands, 115km off Colombo. The last capital of Sinhala Kings whose reign saw the country’s indigenous Sinhala culture flourish for more than 2,500 years, Kandy is home to the world famous Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) celebrated with the grand Esala Perahera procession in August annually. The heart of this historic ancient city is the scenic Kandy Lake, while the lush tea plantations and bio-diverse rainforest in the hinterland offer a fascinating experience to the discerning traveler. While touring the picturesque hilly destination — the last capital of ancient kings of Sri Lanka – a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens, situated just outside Kandy, should not be missed out. It is Sri Lanka’s largest landscaped gardens, spanning over 60 hectares, with a history dating back to the 14th century. However, it was the British, who formally established the sprawling pleasure park in 1843 after they took control of the Kandyan Kingdom. When talking of being close to nature in its pristine beauty, the 104- hectare Udawatta Kele, a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy, should definitely find a place in the itinerary of visitors.