Up the Hills of Kandy

Kandy, pronounced the same as candy, is equally sweet in more ways than one. Hidden in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the city takes pride in having once been the island country’s capital.

My journey began as I boarded a train at the Colombo Fort Railway Station. As the train chugged along, the urban landscape of Colombo made way for breathtaking green hills and picturesque villages.

Gazing out of my window during the three-hour ride was an absolute visual treat.

When the train made its way up to the hills, the temperature dropped and I felt refreshingly cool.

On reaching Kandy, I headed to the city centre. The Queen’s Hotel stood out with its Victorian-style architecture. Built in 1869 during the British era, the three-star hotel is one of the prominent sights.

The old world meets new in Kandy, where cultural landmarks and colonial-era buildings stand alongside their modern counterparts.

The most-visited attraction is the 16th-century Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is renowned for housing the tooth of the Buddha. For centuries, the relic was historically held by Sinhalese kings, as it was recognized that whoever held it governed the country.

Vendors outside the temple sold purple Nil Manel, Sri Lanka’s national flower and a symbol of Buddhist enlightenment.

St. Paul’s Church is located near the Temple of Tooth. Consecrated in 1853, the Anglican church was built entirely of terracotta bricks in the Neo-Gothic architectural style, reflective of the Victorian era. Since it first served as a garrison church to British regiments, it’s also called the Garrison Church.

Close by was Anthony’s Cathedral, originally built in 1876.

The church exuded a sense of reverent tranquility, inviting all to pause, reflect, and connect in God’s presence.

Like many churches in the country, this one is devoted to Saint Anthony of Padua.

During my stroll, I tried freshly pressed wood apple juice at a local juice bar and enjoyed the unique taste of the fruit native to the subcontinent.

The serene waters of the Kandy Lake beckoned me to go on a boat ride. 

The ride offered breathtaking views, with the Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace of Kandy, and the Queen’s Bathing Pavilion adorning the shoreline. The palace housed the monarchs of the Kingdom of Kandy from the 14th to the early 19th century, until the advent of British colonial rule.

The town is surrounded by lush greenery, and different types of trees sway gently in the breeze.

As I drifted further, with the Sri Lankan flag proudly swaying in the breeze, the gentle lapping of the water against the boat’s hull perfectly complemented the warm sunshine casting a golden glow over the lake.

Sunset was around the corner and I hiked up to the hilltop Kandy View Point, where I soaked in the breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city.

At the end of the day, Kandy is not just a destination; it’s an experience that calms your soul and makes you want to come back for more.