Kandy

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings before British rule and remains Sri Lanka's cultural heart. Built around a central lake, it's home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism's most important sites, and makes a natural stop between Colombo, the Cultural Triangle and the hill country.

Why visit Kandy

• Home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site
• A walkable city centred on a scenic lake
• Gateway to the hill country train line and the Cultural Triangle

Things to do in Kandy

• Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, ideally during a puja ceremony
• Walk the perimeter path around Kandy Lake
• Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens at nearby Peradeniya
• Watch a traditional Kandyan dance performance

Where to stay

Hotels overlooking the lake, or hillside guesthouses just outside the city centre.

Food to try

Rice and curry with a Kandyan influence, and short eats sold around the lake in the evenings.

Travel tips

• Cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes, before entering the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
• The Esala Perahera festival (July/August) draws large crowds — book well ahead if visiting then
• The train station is a convenient starting point for the scenic ride to Ella

Gallery

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