About Kandy
Kandy is Sri Lanka's second city and the last capital of the ancient kings — the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of the island. The city sits in a mountain bowl at 465m elevation, wrapped in forested hills and centred on the serene Kandy Lake, which was hand-built by the last Kandyan king in 1807.
At the heart of the city stands the Dalada Maligawa — the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — one of Buddhism's most venerated sites. The tooth relic of the Buddha, housed here since the 4th century AD, draws thousands of pilgrims and devotees daily.
Every August, Kandy hosts the Esala Perahera — one of Asia's grandest festivals — a ten-night procession of lavishly decorated elephants, fire dancers, drummers, and Kandyan dancers that winds through the city streets. Kandy is also the hub of the scenic railway that snakes through tea country to Ella, a journey considered among the world's great train rides.
Highlights
- Visit the Dalada Maligawa — the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Watch an evening Kandyan dance performance
- Stroll the shores of the hand-built Kandy Lake
- Experience the Esala Perahera festival (August)
- Take the Kandy–Ella train through tea country
- Explore the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya (6 km)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Sacred City of Kandy
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What to See & Do
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa)
The most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka — the golden-roofed temple housing the left canine tooth of the Buddha, venerated for over 1,600 years. Evening puja with drummers is unmissable.
Kandy Lake (Kiri Muhuda)
A hand-built lake at the city's heart, constructed by the last Kandyan king in 1807. The 3 km perimeter path is perfect for an early morning walk with views of the temple and forested hills.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
One of the finest botanic gardens in Asia — 60 hectares of orchids, palms, giant Java fig trees, and a spice garden. A peaceful half-day escape 6 km from the city.
Kandyan Arts Association — Cultural Show
A nightly 5:00 PM performance of traditional Kandyan dance, fire-walking, and acrobatics at the purpose-built theatre next to the temple. The best one-hour window into Sri Lankan performing arts.
Hanthana Mountain Range
A 1,500m ridge of forested peaks rising directly behind Kandy city — criss-crossed by trails through tea estates, cloud forest, and waterfalls. The most accessible highland hiking from Kandy, with panoramic city views from the ridgeline.
Udawatta Kele Forest Sanctuary
A 104-hectare cloud forest reserve perched above the city — a former royal pleasure garden where toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, and over 60 bird species live. Quiet trails loop through the canopy minutes from the city centre.
Embekke Devalaya
A 14th-century wooden shrine temple 15 km from Kandy, celebrated for its extraordinary carved wooden pillars featuring dancers, wrestlers, swans, and mythical creatures — considered the finest wood carving in Sri Lanka.
Bahiravokanda Buddha Statue
A 27m white seated Buddha statue on a hilltop overlooking Kandy — a 10-minute climb from the base for sweeping views over the city, temple, and lake. Most atmospheric at dusk.
Royal Palace of Kandy
The last residence of the Kandyan monarchy — a walled palace complex adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth, now partly a museum. The Audience Hall (1809) with its carved wooden pillars is the finest surviving example of Kandyan palace architecture.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Sri Lanka's oldest elephant rescue and breeding centre — 40 km north-west of Kandy. A herd of 80+ elephants roams the grounds; the twice-daily river bathing (10 AM and 2 PM) when the herd walks to the Maha Oya River is the headline spectacle.
Bible Rock (Bathalegala)
A striking flat-topped granite peak 60 km west of Kandy that resembles an open book when viewed from the valley — a 3-hour hike through rubber and tea estates to a summit with sweeping views over the hill country and coastal plains.
Riverston Peak & Knuckles Range
A mist-shrouded peak in the Knuckles Mountain Range (90 km from Kandy) with a mini 'World's End' viewpoint — a sheer drop into the valley with views across the eastern plains. The Knuckles is a UNESCO-listed massif with extraordinary endemic biodiversity.
Getting There from Colombo
Scenic hill country trains; book observation car in advance. Departs Colombo Fort station.
Frequent departures from Colombo Central Bus Stand. Air-conditioned express available.
Via A1 highway — avoid peak hours through Colombo suburbs.
Kandy is a natural base for exploring the entire hill country — most train journeys to Ella and Nuwara Eliya depart from here.
Best Time to Visit
August is the month of the Esala Perahera — book accommodation months in advance.
Traveller Tips
- ▸Dress modestly at the temple — cover shoulders and knees; sarongs are available to borrow
- ▸Attend the puja (offering) ceremony at the temple: 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, and 6:30 PM — most atmospheric in the evening
- ▸Walk the lake path at dusk for the best light on the temple and surrounding hills
- ▸Take the Kandy–Ella train from Kandy Railway Station — book Class 1 observation car seats online
- ▸The Esala Perahera runs for 10 nights in late July / August — the final nights (Randoli Perahera) are the most spectacular
- ▸Avoid leaving valuables visible in parked vehicles — bag snatching is occasionally reported near the lake
Entry Fee
Entry fee is for the Temple of the Tooth. The city, lake, and most other sites are free to walk around.
Temple open daily 5:30 AM – 8:00 PM
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