Five Reasons Why You Should Spend Your Holidays in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Magnificent locations and a breathtaking scenery — these are some of what's waiting for you in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The Tourmaline Hotel, is also one of the picturesque accommodations you can find here. And all things considered, the city welcomes visitors with beauty, for Kandy, so-called the last-standing royal citadel, is covered by luscious green hills, and grand religious temples and historical sites.

Here's a list of some of the key attractions to see:

1. Temple of the Tooth

Kandy being a sacred Buddhist city, there are 5 Buddhist temples you should visit. The holiest, locals attest, is the Temple of the Tooth. It is believed that Buddha's canine teeth are enshrined here after the deity was cremated. Although it had been badly damaged through the years, this now-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site has been successfully restored to feature a golden canopy, ancient wall paintings, and stone carvings inside the chambers. Occasionally, you can also watch Buddhists perform rituals.

2. Kandy Lake

Located at the heart of this hilly kingdom is the tranquil, manmade Kandy Lake. This area offers a nice place for tourists to enjoy a stroll or jog. The locals have tons of legends and folklore about the lake. One of these stories talk about "The Island" in the middle of the lake. Made from palm trees and bamboo thickets, the island was said to have been where the Queen and the ladies of the court bathed.

To add to the beauty of the Kandy Lake, Walakulu or cloud walls have been built around it. These are low, triangular solid fences with triangular holes used for lighting oil lamps during festivities.

3. National Museum

A former dwelling place of royal concubines, the National Museum now houses over 5,000 antiques from jewelry to earthenware that date back to 17th AD. The museum's facade is something you have to see because it has been built to resemble the architecture of the old Kandy period.

No matter where you travel, a good place to start discovering any country is at the museum, and a glimpse of the Sri Lankan culture is about 15 minutes away from commercial establishments and hotel accommodations in Kandy.

4. Tea Museum

During the 19th century, the British occupied Sri Lanka, building plantations particularly in Kandy. The colonizers knew then that the high-altitude region is suited for tea growing. The result is what we now call Ceylon tea.

If you're a tea enthusiast, you have to stop by the Tea Museum. The highlight of this trip is the vintage processing

plant that houses antiquated machinery dating back to the 1850s. At the end of the tour, you are treated to free cups served in the tearoom.

5. Devales

Aside from Buddha, the locals in Sri Lanka worship 4 gods that protect Kandy: Vishnu, Kataragama, Pattini, and Natha.

There's a sacred temple for each deity, and all of them have captivating features such as carved steps, wall sculptures, and a very ancient vibe. You will surely feel the spirituality of the locals here, and you can also send your own prayers or snap souvenir photos.

Stay in TheTourmaline Hotel inKandy for the best comfort or try other accommodations close to these attractions for one memorable vacation.