Sacred Buddhist site in a scenic city surrounded by hills.
Kandy is the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, set around a lake in the green hills. Its heart is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa, which keeps what is believed to be a tooth of the Buddha. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cultural centre of the hill country.
Highlights
- The Temple of the Tooth Relic and its daily puja ceremonies with drummers
- A walk around Kandy Lake and the old royal palace complex
- Royal Botanical Gardens in nearby Peradeniya
- A Kandyan dance performance in the evening
Travel tips
Arrive early for the puja ceremonies and expect queues at busy times. Dress in white or light colours with shoulders and knees covered. If you are travelling in July or August, ask about the Esala Perahera, a spectacular procession of elephants, dancers and drummers.