Kandy
The Cultural Heart of Sri Lanka
Set around a tranquil lake and surrounded by hills, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s last royal capital and home to one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. It’s a city where ceremony, nature, and craft all come together — a must for anyone wanting to understand Sri Lanka’s cultural soul.
Highlights
- Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) — the revered shrine housing a tooth relic of the Buddha, and the centerpiece of the annual Esala Perahera festival.
- Udawatta Kele Sanctuary — a forest reserve right in the city, once a royal retreat, now home to birdlife and giant squirrels.
- Royal Botanical Gardens (Peradeniya) — sprawling gardens with orchid houses, a giant bamboo collection, and an avenue of towering palms.
- Bahirawakanda Temple — home to a massive white Buddha statue with panoramic views over Kandy.
- Ambuluwawa Tower — a striking spiral tower offering 360° views of the surrounding hill country.
- Hunnas Falls — a scenic waterfall tucked into the hills, ideal for a peaceful nature stop.
- Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage — a well-known sanctuary where visitors can see rescued elephants up close, including river bathing time.
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