The historical centre of Sri Lanka, Kandy has been declared by UNESCO to be a world heritage site. So here is one place on earth you’ll breathe in culture and history till you leave. So much to see, learn and experience, Kandy was the last capital reigned by Sri Lanka’s ancient kings and one of the most sacred places of worship for Buddhists around the world. There is no shortage of fascinating places to visit in Kandy.
To learn more about the beautiful city of Kandy, check out our video where we have a chat with local tour guide Mihi as he shares his best tips and facts!
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1. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Posted by Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy on Wednesday, 10 August 2016
Locally known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, this golden-roofed temple is one of the holiest places in Sri Lanka and a frequent pilgrimage destination. This is because it houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, and people come far and wide to gaze upon the gold casket it is kept in. Every year, it is paraded around the city during the perahera, accompanied by 65 heavily decorated elephants. Also, on Wednesdays, there is a symbolic bathing or Nanumura Mangallaya of the Sacred Tooth Relic with an herbal preparation of scented water and fragrant flowers.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Address: Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Price: from 15 USD
Opening Hours: 5.30am - 8pm. Closed on public holidays.
Contact: +94 812234226
Website: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
Tip from tour guide
The Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa, in other words, the highly sacred temple of Lord Buddha's tooth relic, is one of the most respected temples among Buddhist followers around the world. One of the living tooth relics of Lord Buddha is kept inside this magnificent temple, and millions of Buddhist devotees come to visit throughout the year. A very special cultural event takes place at this venue during the month of September, where the tooth relic is taken out and shown to the general public. A giant tusked elephant takes part in that event, accompanied by hundreds of drummers and dancers.
2. Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Posted by Tracy Ann on Tuesday, 14 March 2017
If you want to see over 4,000 species of plants in one garden, head on over to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden. A hot spot for spice trading 2,000 years ago, Sri Lanka retains its green thumb. You can find hundreds of deliciously smelling spices here such as pepper, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. This place also grows an amazing selection of orchids that you simply must see while you’re here! Superbly well maintained with some markets within the grounds, don’t be surprised spending hours and hours in this amazing botanical garden!
Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden
Address: Peradeniya Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Price: from 15 USD
Opening Hours: 7.30am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.
Contact: +94 812388088
3. Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
One of Kandy’s most notable monuments, this massive Buddha statue, the Bahiravokanda Vihara, sits on Bahivara Kanda Hill overlooking the entire city. Climb up this hill and you’ll get to see a gorgeous panoramic view of Kandy. But note that it’s a one hour climb, and best to be done in the morning to avoid being burnt by the Sri Lankan sun. Make sure to remove your shoes when entering the temple and you’ll see many devotees offering flowers and lighting oil lamps in worship of Buddha. At night, the entire statue is lit up beautifully, casting an enchanting aura onto the city.
Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
Address: Bahirawa Kanda Rd, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Price: from 1.5 USD
4. Udawattakele Forest Reserve
Posted by Plz,Take a photo on Thursday, 16 March 2017
Take a breather from civilization and venture into the tropical forest reserves of Udawattakele. Here you can find an abundance of fauna, birds, reptiles, mammals and even a few vital Buddhist meditation hermitages. The park strives to be educational as well. Two offices have been set up by The Sri Lanka Forest Department to display posters and stuffed animals for visitors to learn more about Sri Lanka’s wildlife.
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
Address: Lover’s Walk, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Price: from 4 USD
Opening Hours: 7am - 6pm. Closed on public holidays.
Contact: +94 812232873
Kandy Tour Guide
Lahiru Mihiran
Welcome to my tour page, where I extend a heartfelt "Ayubowan" to you, wishing you a long and prosperous life. I am Mihi, a native Sri Lankan from the southern region, passionate about showcasing the beauty of our island nation to travelers worldwide. With over a decade of experience in tourism, I have crafted exceptional tour experiences for international visitors, exceeding expectations ev... Read more
Tours by Lahiru
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5. Esala Perahara
You should definitely come to Kandy in July or August. Remember when I told you about the sacred tooth parade that occurs annually? You’ll find this traditional procession extremely fascinating. Besides the colourfully decorated elephants, there will be local dancers, drummers, fire eaters and many more that are part of this parade. The festival begins with a water cutting ceremony by the Mahaweli River. If you’re thinking of joining in this celebration, come early to the Perahera to get a good seat, and note that front row seats may be quite costly, so plan appropriately to fully enjoy this uniquely special event!
Esala Perahara
Price: from 92 USD
Festival Dates: 29th July to 7th August 2017
Contact: +94 112199323
Website: Esala Perahara
6. Dalada Maligawa Museum
Posted by World Buddhist Museum Official on Sunday, 22 January 2017
If you want to learn about the cultural roots of Sri Lanka and begin understanding this country’s identity, this is the place to visit. Dalada Maligawa Museum provides deep insight of the development of Buddhism, a peaceful religion stemmed from the teachings of Buddha in India which spread to groups of followers around the world. It’s the only museum of its kind that houses an amazing collection of relics documenting the spread of Buddhism across Asia and to the rest of the world.
Dalada Maligawa Museum
Address: Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka
Price: from 15 USD
Opening Hours: 8am - 6.30pm. Closed on public holidays.
Contact: +94 812234226
Website: Dalada Maligawa Museum
7. See a traditional dance performance
One of the best things to do in Kandy during an evening is to see a Kandy dance cultural show! Famous for their captivating shows of local art and culture, you’ll learn about Sri Lanka’s traditions throughout the dance. It’s not just educational it’s extremely exciting! You’ll get to feast your eyes and ears on not only dancers and music but also drummers and fire shows during the show! Get ready for the performance of your lifetime!
Kandy Cultural Show
Show Location: Kandiyan Art Association and Cultural Center, Kandy
Price: from 67 USD
Show Hours: Daily at 5pm
Duration: around 1 hour required.
Contact: +44 2032397790
Book Now: Kandy Cultural Show
8. Kandy Lake
Bogambara Lake in Kandy, Sri Lanka Kandy Lake is a lake in the heart of the hill city of Kandy, Sri Lanka, built in...
Posted by Total Travels - Karachi on Tuesday, 31 January 2017
In the middle of a bustling city, the Kandy Lake lies calm and quiet, attracting both locals and tourists to take a stroll along the lake. Artificially constructed in 1807 by the last king of Sri Lanka and Kandy, Wikrama Rajasinhe, there are rumors surrounding this Kandy Lake, that the king installed a secret tunnel from its island to his palace. Today, Kandy Lake is an iconic location to this city and you can appreciate its beauty sitting peacefully on benches around the lake gazing at the water and the beautiful island that floats in the middle of it.
Kandy Lake
Address: 278/1 Thalumbu Ghawatt Akurana, 20000 Kandy, Sri Lanka
Price: Free
Contact: +94 717525646
Website: Kandy Lake
9. Giragama Tea Plantation
One of the world’s strongest importers of tea, it would be a shame to not visit a tea plantation while you’re here in Sri Lanka. Head over to Giragama Tea Plantation where you’ll see the process of tea making up close and marvel at the acres and acres of lush and beautiful tea plants. Situated 613 meters (2,011 feet) above the sea level, this place also has a tea museum where visitors will learn more about the refinery of different tea leaves during the tour and also have a taste of the merchandise at the end of it!
Giragama Tea Plantation
Address: Geragama Estate Rd, Kandy
Price: from 25 USD
Contact: +94 777229911
Website: Giragama Tea Plantation
10. Kandy Garrison Cemetery
Posted by Alan Fairclough on Tuesday, 21 February 2017
Take a second to think about mortality by visiting the Kandy Garrison Cemetery. Home to 163 graves dating back to colonial times, you’ll be surprised to see the amount of young deaths that are inscribed on the tombstones. Those who actually made it to 40 years were the old people of their generation. Makes you appreciate life and all the health advances we’ve made all these years.
Kandy Garrison Cemetery
Address: British Garrison Cemetry, Hemamali Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Price: Free
11. Embekka Devalaya
Contributed by Tour Guide, Lahiru Mihiran
Source: Lahiru Mihiran
Embekka Devalaya, also known as Embekka Temple, is a historically significant shrine in Sri Lanka’s Kandy District, built during the reign of King Vikramabahu III (AD 1357–1374). Dedicated to Kataragama Deviyo and the local deity Devatha Bandara, the temple is renowned for its exquisite wood carvings, showcasing the artistic excellence of Sinhalese craftsmanship. Located in Medapalata Korale, Udunuwara, the shrine features three main sections: the Sanctum of Garagha, Digge (Dancing Hall), and Hevisi Mandapaya (Drummers’ Hall), the latter known for its intricate wood carvings. These carvings, including depictions of entwined swans, double-headed eagles, and hybrid creatures, are some of the finest examples of Sinhalese art. The temple’s unique architectural features, such as the Madol Kurupawa—a giant wooden pin binding 26 beams together—highlight the craftsmanship of the Gampola Era. Embekka Devalaya is a vital religious site for both Buddhism and Hinduism and a testament to Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.
12. Victoria Dam
Contributed by Tour Guide, Lahiru Mihiran
Source: Lahiru Mihiran
The Victoria Dam, a Sri Lankan hidden gem, is located less than an hour and a half from Kandy and is a wonderful place for a quick day trip. Nestled amidst Sri Lanka’s central highlands, the Victoria Dam stands as a testament to human engineering prowess. Part of the Mahaweli Development Project, this majestic structure spans the Mahaweli River, creating the expansive Victoria Reservoir. Completed in 1985, the dam measures 122 meters in height and 520 meters in width. It serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power, irrigation, and flood control.
It also offers a captivating natural experience with serene waters surrounded by lush green mountains. I’d suggest taking in the breathtaking panoramic views from the vantage point. You can also explore the surrounding area to spot diverse wildlife.
The home of Buddhism
So immerse yourself in Sri Lankan culture while you’re in Kandy! Hopefully this serene place cultivates in you a deep appreciation for Buddhism while you tour around its religious sites. After all, this is the one place on earth that is home to The Temple of the Tooth Relic. It is no wonder people from all around the world come to Kandy to see this historical artifact. So if you’re in Kandy, you’re one of the lucky ones! Go explore all you can!
History
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