Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella
Example · Sigiriya, Kandy and Ella — 7 Days with a Local Guide
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Researched by Sarisara, with sources.
Kandy Lake sits in the middle of Kandy, right beside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and is one of the most recognisable views in the city. Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy, had it built between 1807 and 1812, turning what used to be a paddy field into an artificial lake close to his palace.
A paved path runs almost all the way around the water, about 3.4 kilometres in total, making it a popular place for a morning or evening walk or jog. Along part of the shore runs the Walakulu Bamma, an unfinished decorative wall with small triangular holes that once held oil lamps during festivals. From the southern side, at a spot known as Arthur’s Seat, you get one of the best views over the lake toward the hills and the town.
The lake is a protected lake: fishing is not allowed anywhere on it, and swimming is not a good idea either, since the water has not been clean enough for the city’s own drinking supply since around 1960. What the lake is for today is simply a calm, scenic walk — birds such as cormorants, egrets and pelicans live along its edges, and on a clear day the Temple of the Tooth’s gold roof reflected in the water is one of the best photographs you will take in Kandy. There is no entrance fee; it is a public promenade open at all hours.
Free entry.
There is no entrance fee for walking around Kandy Lake. It is a public promenade maintained by the Kandy Municipal Council.
Ordinary clothes are fine for the lake walk itself. Since the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic sits right beside it, cover your shoulders and knees if you plan to walk on into the temple.
Not dressed right? Nobody checks clothing on the public lakeside path. You will only need to change what you are wearing if you walk on into the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which has its own dress rule (shoulders and knees covered, shoes off).
No source gives fixed opening hours, because this is an open public path with no gate.
Kandy Municipal Council
Kandy city centre, Kandy District, Sri Lanka
Trips, experiences and stays in and around Kandy.
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Colombo → Sigiriya → Kandy → Ella
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Fire dancers light the road before the elephants of the Esala Perahera.
