Kandy is a treasure trove of nature, offering myriad opportunities to witness fascinating specimens of indigenous flora and fauna. As a family holiday destination, Kandy’s natural assets are perhaps the city’s greatest appeal. Kids love to get out into the great outdoors, and are even more likely to enjoy the experience when given the chance to see some of the magnificent creatures that reside in this picturesque part of the country.

Games
The better hotels in Kandy feature a variety of indoor and outdoor activity options including facilities for table tennis, badminton, pool and snooker. If you are travelling with little ones and are planning to holiday in Kandy in the hotter or wetter months of the year, then be sure to book into a hotel with a good selection of games on offer.

Horton Plains National Park
Horton Plains National Park is one Kandy’s biggest attractions. Besides the amazing views and lush flora to be appreciated, it’s home to a diverse collection of animals. Kids will lap up the chance to see various reptiles and amphibians, as well as wild boar, bear monkeys, giant squirrels and otters. The park’s large bird population is also likely to capture the attention of young visitors.

Kandy Elephant Orphanage
The whole family will love the Kandy Elephant Orphanage, a facility dedicated to taking care of parent-less pachyderms in a non-exploitative environment and one that is conducive to public viewing. Kids get the chance to bottle feed very young specimens, an experience they are sure not to forget. The highlight and main attraction of the centre, however, is bathing time in the local river. Seeing these magnificent creatures splashing around in the cool waters is a sight to behold.

Swimming Pools
The more reputable hotels in Kandy all have their own swimming pools which are ideal for parents to relax around on a sun-lounger while little ones enjoy a splash around in the cool water. Pools are free for use for paying guests and are excellent places to retreat to on days when it’s too hot to go sightseeing.

As Kandy is an inland destination and not especially near the beach, trips to the city are generally focused on appreciating the city’s fascinating history and cultural heritage. There is a good selection of sites and structures to visit, the highlight being Sri Dalada Maligawa, the temple in which one of the Buddha’s teeth is housed. Kandy benefits also from some wonderful scenery which can be appreciated at a variety of destinations in the area.

Bahirawakanda Temple
Located just over half a mile from the city centre, this temple is notable for its giant Buddha statue that can be seen from just about anywhere in Kandy. The temple is considered the most important in Kandy after the Temple of the Tooth, and its Buddha image is seen as the city’s guardian.

Embekke Temple
Dating back to the 14^th century, this wooden structure is best known for the ornate carvings which adorn a large percentage of its surface area. There are depictions of animals and birds and musicians, dancers and wrestlers among other things. Close to the temple are the ruined remains of an ancient rest house where similar carvings can be witnessed on its stone pillars.

Gadaladeniya Temple
Head just over nine miles out of the city and you come to the Gadaladeniya Temple, a 14^th century structure situated on a hilltop that overlooks the plains below. The structure, which illustrates Dravidian influences, offers some amazing views of the surrounding region from its highest levels.

Hindu Shrines
Hindu residents in Kandy have a choice of four shrines at which they can make offerings to the deities Vishnu, Natha and Patthini. Non-Hindus are permitted access to the shrines so long as they show the appropriate religious reverence. Three of the shrines are situated close to the Temple of Tooth, while the other sits closer to the town.

Lankatilaka Temple
A 14^th century religious structure, the Lankatilaka Temple, like the Gadaladeniya Temple, enjoys an elevated location and offers similarly great views of the surrounding area, with rolling hills and paddy fields dominating the panorama. The temple sits at the top of a rock known as Panhalgala.

Matara Fort
Situated in the nearby city of Matara, this series of structures are a concrete reminder of the role the Portuguese once played in the region’s history. Built out of what was initially a Portuguese garrison, the Matara Fort dates back to 1640. There are also buildings within the fort that were constructed by the Dutch and British, meaning there are plenty of architectural styles to appreciate while checking out this fascinating embodiment of Sri Lankan heritage.

National and Archaeological Museums
Situated inside the royal concubine’s quarters at the Old Royal Palace compound, these two museum facilities feature interesting collections of artefacts relating to the monarchy that was in place for 2,500 years before the arrival of the British in 1815. Phone: +94 81 2223867.

Peradeniya Gardens
These picturesque gardens date to the 14^th century, to the time when King Vikrama Bahu III was the ruling monarch. The gardens are home to a rich variety of indigenous plant species, many of which have practical uses besides their obvious aesthetic appeals. Particularly interesting is the spice garden which features specimens that are considered to have medical properties and are used in age-old Ayurvedic approaches to health. Also of great interest is the orchid house with its collection of over 300 different specimens.

Tea Museum
The Hantana Estate is one of the region’s oldest and most significant tea producers and its ancient factory has now been converted into a popular museum which details the history of tea production across the country. Phone: +94 70 803204.

Temple of the Tooth
Known by Buddhists across the globe, and also referred to as Sri Dalada Maligawa, this famous temple holds a tooth that allegedly belonged to the Buddha. For devoted Buddhists, the temple is the ultimate pilgrimage site, while for non-Buddhists it’s a place of great historic and cultural value. Visitors are permitted entry to the temple, which was constructed in the 17^th century, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Visits need to be planned around the thrice-daily religious rituals that are scheduled.

Udawatte Kele
Otherwise known as the Forbidden Forest of the Kings of Kandy, Udawatte Kele offers a genuine sample of untamed Kandy wilderness in which visitors can view fascinating tree and plant specimens that have flourished without human intervention. Among the interesting sights on offer are those of cinnamon plants, olive trees, bo trees, talipot trees, kitul palms and betelnut plants.

Kandy is an established tourist destination with a good selection of eateries on offer, with everything from traditional Sri Lankan restaurants to western fast food outlets such as KFC and Pizza Hut. Local food doesn’t differ from the national cuisine, and you can also expect to find food with distinct Indian influences.

Rice is typically eaten with every meal, accompanied by curry of some description. Curry may contain vegetables, meat or fish only, or any combination of these ingredients. Fruit curries are also a popular in Sri Lanka, typically seasoned with spices such as turmeric, chilli, cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger and fennel.

As an alternative to rice at breakfast or lunch, small rice flour pancakes known as hoppers are prepared and generally eaten with a spicy red onion dish called lunumiris. The kind of pancake is made savoury with egg and milk or served sweet.

Bakeries are popular in Kandy and visitors will find plenty of traditional starchy creations of western origin, as well as some local baked delicacies. Chinese food is also served at a large number of restaurants although dishes are commonly prepared to local tastes.

Kandy’s restaurant scene has something for everyone including budget eateries and upmarket establishments. European cuisine can be found at quite a few places and there’s even an expat hangout by the name of ‘The Pub’ for those folk preferring to stick with familiar foods. Upmarket restaurants also typically have acclaimed restaurants onsite serving a decent selection of Western and Asian cuisines.

Shopping in Kandy can be fun if you have a liking for gemstones and local handicrafts. The city is teeming with small market areas and charming little local emporiums where local craftsmen sell everything from typical tourist souvenirs to elegant home furnishings and textiles. Carved wooden figurines and reliefs are popular, many having religious themes and others featuring the ever-popular elephant.

Batik is big in Kandy, and fans of this traditional dyeing process can take home everything from giant wall hangings to items of batik clothing. Many batik sellers have their workshops on the same premises as their shops, so visitors with an interest in the art can witness the complex and skilled process in progress.

Other products to look out for include leather items, brass and silverware, ceremonial masks, brightly coloured elephant figurines and jewellery for both men and women. Additionally, with Sri Lanka being such a large tea-producing nation, you can find an excellent selection of tea in bag as well as loose-dried tea leaves with the option to try before you buy. Kandy is also a notable gemstone producing area offering rubies, sapphires, beryls, zircon and quartz.

With some fantastic natural assets at its disposal, Kandy is the ideal place to enjoy outdoor activity, whether it’s organised by a local tour operator or something you choose to pursue under your own steam. Organised activities aren’t prevalent, but the locals are always keen to assist visitors making anything possible if you have your own equipment.

Bird Watching
Ornithologists will find themselves in their element in Kandy with its large and diverse collection of indigenous bird species. Horton Plains National Park is a good place to start your bird watching activities, offering a wide variety of trees in which birds such as the rufous woodpecker, black-rumped flamebacks, alexandrine and layard's parakeets, common tailorbird and Asian paradise flycatchers can be found. Bird watching tours of the region, lasting anything from several days to a couple of weeks and calling at Kandy for one day, are available through travel agents.

Golf
Golf fans can take advantage of the Victoria International Golf and Country Resort, an 18-hole course set in scenic mountain surroundings and offering international standard facilities. The course is 6,190m long and has a par 73 rating. Non-members are permitted access on payment of the required fee, and clubs and caddies are available for hire. Phone: +94 812 376 376; website: www.srilankagolf.com/.

Mountain Biking
While there’s little in the way of established cycling tracks, Kandy offers some ideal terrain for the pursuit of mountain biking and anyone travelling with their own bike will be able to take advantage of excellent riding conditions in some of the mountainous areas surrounding the city.

Trekking
There are numerous destinations in and around Kandy that are ideally suited to trekking. Horton Plains National Park is perhaps the most famous and popular trekking destination in the area, although lesser-known areas such as the Hanthana mountains offer less beaten tracks and a more diverse selection of terrain. Accomplished map and compass readers might feel confident enough heading out without assistance, while relatively inexperienced trekkers are advised to hire the services of a local guide.