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Kandy
Cultural capital home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist shrine.
About Kandy
Kandy is the hill capital and Sri Lanka's cultural heart, built around a lake and home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic — Buddhism's most revered shrine. The city blends colonial architecture, botanical gardens and a vibrant lakeside scene.
Best time to visit
Visit during the Esala Perahera festival (July–August) for the great elephant procession, or December–April for cooler, drier weather. The temple puja is held three times daily year-round.
Getting there
About 3 hours by expressway from Colombo (115 km) or a scenic 2.5-hour train. Kandy is the natural gateway to the hill country and tea estates.
Things to do in Kandy
- Join the evening puja at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
- Wander the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya
- Walk around Kandy Lake at dusk
- Watch a Kandyan cultural dance show
