Kandy

Kandy (මහනුවර) is the cultural and spiritual heart of Sri Lanka and was the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom before the island came under British rule. Set around a lake among forested hills in the central highlands, the Sacred City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa, houses one of the most revered relics of Buddhism and is a living place of worship, with daily ceremonies accompanied by drums. Around it stand the old royal palace, the National Museum and the Malwathu monastery. Kandy Lake, built by the last king, is circled by a shaded walking path, and viewpoints such as the hilltop Bahirawakanda Buddha look over the city. Show more

Each year, usually in July or August, the Esala Perahera fills the streets with richly decorated elephants, dancers, drummers and torchbearers over several nights. Kandyan dance performances can be seen throughout the year. Just outside town, the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya are among the finest in Asia, and the Udawattakele forest, the Ceylon Tea Museum and the temples of the surrounding hills are within easy reach.

Kandy is reached by train or road from Colombo and is the starting point of the scenic railway into the tea country. Two or three days suit the city and its surroundings. The climate is pleasant all year, with heavier rain in some months, and accommodation fills quickly during the Perahera.