How to get around Kandy in a day

Kandy can simply be called the 'heart of Sri Lanka'. Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, this city truly gives off a paradise vibe to anyone who visits it. Although Kandy is about 120 km away from Sri Lanka's commercial hub- Colombo, the distance is all worth it to travel. Kandy is also a royal city where kings have lived over the years, and thus, it has a lot to explore for an enthusiastic traveller. Here's how you can enjoy a one day holiday in the hills.

Do not miss the Temple of Tooth Relic

Because of the fact that this sacred temple houses the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, it is indeed one of the most revered temples in the country. They also call it 'Sri Dalada Maligawa' which means the Palace of Tooth Relic and if you get a chance of visiting this temple, you will surely understand why they call it a palace. Make sure what you wear is not so short and not too revealing.

Enjoy a boat ride in the Mahaweli River

Many of the Sri Lanka luxury resorts in Kandy are located on the banks of river Mahaveli, and if you get to spend your stay at such a resort, why don't you just explore the river by means of a boat ride? That will surely provide you some time to get closer to nature, and while enjoying the ride peacefully, you may also see many creatures such as water monitor and the turtle. You may also meet some local fishermen boating in their traditional ways, showing their catch for the day if you wave at them first!

Adore some great wood crafts

Wood carving has been around in Sri Lanka for thousands of years. In Kandy, you can find some exclusive shops selling great pieces of work and there are also wood workshops that you can visit. If you need a souvenir to remember Sri Lanka, you can always buy a wood-carved mask from them and then surprise your friends with it when you get back home. If you stay or dine at Earl's Regency in Kandy, you will surely be surprised to see its amazing wooden furniture with intricate carvings like this.

Also, visit a gemstone workshop

Sri Lanka is also famous for its high-quality gems. Traditional mining does not usually happen in Kandy, but, if you visit a gemstone workshop, they will show you a short-film like a video of how mining is done in other parts of the country. The process that happens after then, which includes polishing, shaping, and framing can be explored at a workshop and you will be surprised to see the amazingness of the whole process, and also the glamorous outcomes. If you have enough money with you, you may also buy one from these places, and since you know they are genuine, you really don't have to worry about the originality.

Spend some time at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

If you have some time left in the evening, after all your visits, do head to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens for a great relaxing time. Spanning over 150 acres, this garden has ponds, bridges, tree structures, hanging gardens, and everything that you can expect a garden to have. As this garden is located on the banks of the Mahaveli River, you can also try the hanging bridge to cross the river. It'll be extremely fun to try this out because, at one moment or the other, you are sure to feel some sort of thrill.