KANDY
Area: Sri Lanka
Country: Sri Lanka


Location:
In very centre of island, 73 miles NE of Colombo; 80 miles E of Bandaranaike international airport.

Telephone code from UK:
94 8

Position:
Surrounded by hills in Mahaweli river valley beside 18th-century man-made lake.

Description:
The ancient capital of Sri Lanka's hill-country kings, Kandy has changed little over the last two centuries, still boasting traditional temples, bustling shanty streets and assorted examples of colonial architecture. Home to the country's most important Buddhist treasure _ the Buddha's tooth, hidden inside the Temple of the Tooth _ the town is the animated commercial and communication hub of the central upland region.

Suitability:
Short-stay base for those exploring the local sights and en route to Sigiriya and Dambulla in the N or Nuwara Eliya and the tea plantations in the S.

Accommodation:
Handful of attractive high-quality medium-sized hotels, one a converted colonial residence; one or two purpose-built self-contained properties further out.

Shopping:
Unsophisticated, with the exception of locally mined precious gems and jewellery. Good buys are hand-dyed batiks, carved masks, leather, spices and, of course, tea. Main town shops mainly serve local community.

Entertainments:
Daytime: numerous local historic and religious sights. Nightlife: low-key and hotel based. Daily folklore shows.

Eating:
Numerous fish and curry restaurants, although tourists tend to keep to hotels.

Public-transport:
Daily express coach runs to and from Colombo. Trains to Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. Taxis and motorised rickshaws everywhere.

Local-excursions:
Half day: botanical gardens at nearby Peradeniya; elephant orphanage; river trips. Full day: Nuwara Eliya and tea plantations; Dambulla and Sigiriya.