Cradled by misty hills around a tranquil lake, Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings of Sri Lanka and remains the spiritual heart of the island.
Its centrepiece is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage site that draws pilgrims from across the Buddhist world.
Best time to visit
Visit during the July/August Esala Perahera for one of Asia’s grandest processions — otherwise the hill-country climate is pleasant all year.
Highlights
- Witness a puja at the Temple of the Tooth
- Stroll the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya
- Watch a Kandyan dance and drumming show
- Walk the peaceful loop around Kandy Lake
