Set around a serene lake in the central highlands, Kandy was the last royal capital of Sri Lanka and remains its spiritual and cultural centre. It is home to one of Buddhism's most revered sites and a gateway to the country's tea country.
The Temple of the Tooth
The Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, enshrines a tooth of the Buddha and draws pilgrims from across the world. Time your visit for one of the daily puja (offering) ceremonies for the fullest experience.
Around the city
A walk around Kandy Lake, the hilltop viewpoints and the nearby Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya fill an easy day. In July or August, the spectacular Esala Perahera procession fills the streets with dancers, drummers and decorated elephants.
Good to know
Kandy sits at cooler elevation than the coast, so evenings can feel fresh. It is the northern starting point of the famous hill-country train ride toward Nuwara Eliya and Ella.
Planning a trip to Kandy? Get your Sri Lanka ETA first.
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