Kandy Lake

Famously known as the Sea of Milk or Kri Muhuda, Kandy Lake is a picture-perfect and serene water body in the heart of Kandy, Sri Lanka. The lake was built in 1807 by the last ruler of the Kandyan Kingdom, King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Since it is a scenic natural beauty, it makes a perfect getaway option for tourists and locals alike. The lake is spread over 3.4 km, making it ideal for leisure walks and evening stroll. Since the place is lined by several cafes, restaurants, and lush greenery, you get awe-struck by its nature’s beauty. 

One of the lake's notable features is the small island at its center, which is said to have been used by the king's harem for bathing. It is adorned with a charming cluster of palm trees, adding to the lake's picturesque quality. Near the Kandy Lake, there is a Temple of the Tooth Relic or Sri Dalada Maligawa. Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka must feature Buddha's sacred tooth relic. This place is a seamless combination of natural beauty and historical significance, offering a peaceful retreat to tourists paying their visit here.

• Visit the Temple of Tooth Relics, a sacred Buddhist site near Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka.
• Indulge in recreational activities such as walking, jogging, and cycling around Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka.  
• Explore the tiny, picture-perfect island called the Island Pavilion within Kandy Lake. 
• Head to the historic colonial-era hotel named the Queens Hotel, which promises a stunning view of the surroundings. 
• Taste delicious delicacies served in cafes and restaurants around Kandy Lake.

The most suitable time to visit Kandy Lake is in the winter season from December to April. The weather during winters here will be dry and pleasant. It will be perfect for sightseeing and trekking.

Kandy experiences 2 monsoons, Yala and Maha, between May to July and from October to November respectively. The climate during these seasons remains fickle and humid. Though it remains unsuitable for visiting many of the places, one advantage of this season is the absence of crowds.

The April month in Sri Lanka witnesses’ huge crowds as Sinhalese New Year falls in the middle of the April month.

Location: Kandy City, Sri Lanka

Entry fee: Free. There are no entry fees for Kandy Lake.

Timings: Monday- Sunday between 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

History of Kandy Lake

Kandy Lake was built by then King Raja Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807, adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth. It is situated in the middle of the hill city, Kandy, Sri Lanka.It was said that local tribes and chieftains opposed the King to the use of their people as laborers in constructing the lake.

The King had oppressed the uprising by putting the protesters to death on stakes in the lake. The lake, which extends over 6,544 sq. m with a circumference of 3.21 km, developed under the supervision of Deveda Moolacharya.

A 633.82 meters wall called ‘Walakulu Bamma’ or Cloud’s wall, built around the lake by King Wickrama Rajasinghe, enhances the beauty of the lake. The wall, which extends to approximately half of the lake, still stands unfinished to this day. A building along with a few very old ruins, is located at the center of the island.

Story doing rounds is that the building on the island, located in the middle of the lake, was used by the then king and his harem for bathing and relaxation. Locals believe that the island is connected to the palace by an underground tunnel.

The island was later used by the British, after annexation, as an ammunition store. A fortress-style parapet was constructed around the island by the British. The Queen’s bathing pavilion was later used by the British as a library.

Travel Tips for visiting Kandy:

1. Kandy is considered a religious and culturally conscious city. So, visitors are advised to wear conservative yet casual dresses.

2. Tourists should always carry sunglasses and sunscreen lotions, as Sun can be severe during the day.

3. Traffic can be chaotic and scary. Tourists are requested to plan their itinerary accordingly. Even a distance of 5 km can take more than 30 minutes at peak hours.

4. Foods are spicy in general in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Visitors are advised to enquire and ensure the contents before ordering.

5. Guests are advised to carry bottled mineral water and stay hydrated during their stay in Sri Lanka.

6. They are suggested not to use public restrooms because of unhygienic conditions. Hotels have good washrooms and their service can be utilized by visitors in case of emergency.

7. Visitors should not leave their expensive belongings like camera, handbag, etc, unattended.

8. The weather near the Kandy Lake tends to be slightly cooler than the inland. Long-sleeved clothing is advisable for guests visiting the Lake.

9. Visitors should bear in mind that the surroundings and the Lake are notified as ‘protected’. Any act of polluting it will attract punitive actions.

10. Visitors are notified to desist causing any ruckus near the Lake, as it may disturb the prayers offered at the adjacent Temple of the sacred tooth relic.

There is no airport in Kandy city. The closest airport to Kandy Lake is the Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), in Colombo. The distance from Kandy Lake to Bandaranaike International Airport is 52.2 miles or 84 km.

Visitors can reach Kandy Lake from CMB Airport via train, bus or taxi.

One can board a train at Colombo Railway station to get to Kandy Railway Station. It is one of the inexpensive and safest modes of transport in Sri Lanka.

The cheapest type of travel from Bandaranaike International Airport to Kandy Lake is the public bus transport. The 3.5 hr ride costs around 170 LKR (Rs. 66.58) per person.

Though expensive, the hired taxis or air-conditioned tourist cars provide visitors a comfortable and fastest ride to Kandy Lake from CMB Airport.