Attractions in Kandy

Kandy is an amazing destination for sightseeing.  It offers spectacular mountains, beautiful lakes and valleys.  Boasting a rich heritage, Kandy is full of surprises for travellers looking for cultural and religious sights. It is also the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of ordinary day-to-day life.

Many tourists from all across the world visit this marvellous hill capital to explore its glorious past, witness the beauty of nature, wildlife and get a firsthand experience on its cool climatic conditions. Kandy was the last kingdom of Sri Lanka and therefore it has much to offer in terms of historical sites and monuments. It is also one of the country’s most important locations with relation to Buddhism.

Just over a 100 kilometres from Colombo, Kandy is most renowned for its Dalada Maligawa or the sacred Temple of the Tooth.  It is believed that this Buddhist temple houses a tooth relic of Buddha.  Buddhists from all across the country and world visit this outstanding place of worship each year in great numbers.

Yet another fascinating attraction in this city is the charming lake of Kandy. Without a tour around this lake, a trip to Kandy will not be complete. It is recorded that the last Sinhalese King who was Shri Wickrama Rajasinghe built this lake in 1806.  

A masterpiece that is worth a visit is the Embekke Devalaya which is a temple made out entirely by wood. It is situated in the village of Ambakka, and is a mere 3 kilometres from the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which is also a significant tourist attraction in Kandy.

Other places of interest include Malwatte monastery, Raja Maliga or the Royal Palace, Gangarama temple, Gem museum and lapidary, Degaldoruwa temple, Asgiriya monastery, Gadaladeniya temple and Malwatte monastery.

The city of Kandy today offers heaps of modern as well as convenient facilities and forms of entertainment. The city also offers so much when it comes to wild life adventure sports and even hiking.   

Today this city is thriving and vibrant as can be, nevertheless it continues to maintain its rich and unique heritage.