Things to do
CULTURE
Not for nothing is Kandy known as Sri Lanka’s capital of culture. Arguably its most famous site is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic – visit during the twice-daily puja ritual for the most spiritual atmosphere. Climb up to the shoulders of the giant white Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha for panoramic city views. Take in an evening Kandyan dance performance with traditional drumming and fire dancing. And learn all about the country’s tea history in the restored colonial Ceylon Tea Museum.
NATURE
You don’t have to go far from Kandy to experience nature at its most vibrant. Just west of the city, its 147 acres of Royal Botanic Gardens brim with orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palms. Head to Kandy Lake for serene waterside strolls and sunset views of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. As the gateway to Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands, a short trip from Kandy will lead you to tea plantations, rainforest reserves, waterfalls and all the mist-shrouded peaks your heart could desire.
FOOD AND DRINK
A visit to Kandy’s central market is a good starting point to sample some of its most flavourful local produce, from mangosteen to jackfruit. Sri Lankan cuisine is serious soul food, from aromatic curries and stir-fried kottu roti to crisp bowl-shaped pancake hoppers, served with a soft yolk nestling inside. Kandyan curries tend to be a little less fiery than those you’ll find on the coast. Tame any heat with a fresh juice, king coconut milk, or the obligatory Ceylon tea, typically served with milk and sugar.
