Discover Kandy: Temples, Tea and Mountain Scenery

As you explore Kandy, you’ll encounter a city whose cultural history is reflected in the Temple of the Tooth as well as in museums and historic sites across the district. The Sacred City was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is associated with a cultural history spanning more than 2,500 years. Its religious heritage, architecture and mountain landscapes offer different focuses for your trip.

The Temple of the Tooth and royal history

The Temple of the Tooth, also known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Kandy. Its architecture combines indigenous Sinhalese elements with South Indian influences. Intricately carved wooden pillars and richly ornamented roof cornices define the building. Here, religious significance meets a variety of architectural influences.

The Kandy Esala Dalanda Perahera takes place in the lunar month of Esala in honour of the Buddha’s tooth relic; the exact dates vary from year to year. If this festival is part of your travel plans, check the dates in advance. The Medawasala Museum is located in the historic royal palace complex between the Kandy National Museum and the International Buddhist Museum, adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth. It preserves and presents the history of Sri Lankan queens and royal women.

Temples and historic sites in the district

The Kandy District offers further perspectives on history. Lankathilaka Viharaya in Udunuwara dates from the 14th century and, according to historical records, was built under King Buvanekabahu of the Kingdom of Gampola. At the image house of Gadaladeniya Temple, by contrast, the focus is on the Vijayanagara style, dressed stone and a combination of Buddhist and Hindu influences. The two sites appeal to different interests: one for its attributed construction history, the other for its form, materials and religious influences.

Ambekke Devalaya in Kandy District is about 700 years old and has historical and religious significance. An 88-foot-tall Buddha statue stands atop Bahirawa Kanda, facing Dalada Maligawa. Here, too, specific features shape the visitor experience: the approximate age of a religious complex on the one hand, and the height and orientation of a statue on the other.

Waterfalls, hikes and mountain views

The Kota-Ganga-Ella waterfalls form a cascade of at least seven major waterfall sections in Kandy District. From the village of Thangappuwa, hikers can reach them via an approximately 5.5-kilometre uphill hike. The support of a guide is recommended for this route. Four trekking routes are designated on Hanthana Mountain: from Kandy, via the University of Peradeniya, through the Mahakande Sarasavigama area, and from the direction of Deltota. The distinction here lies in the routes and approach directions described; for the Kota-Ganga-Ella waterfalls, an approximate distance and uphill route are specified. As trail conditions and access points can change, it is advisable to check before setting out.

Alagalla Nature Reserve is considered a tourist attraction for its rich biodiversity. Alagalla Mountain reaches 3,332 feet; its summit plateau offers a viewpoint over Sri Lanka’s forest areas. A wide range of species is also recorded for the Knuckles Mountain Forest Range: 128 bird, 20 amphibian, 53 reptile, 15 freshwater and 31 mammal species. Future surveys may update these figures. The district therefore offers landscape views and nature experiences alongside its cultural sites, though these two travel interests do not require the same kind of orientation.

Tea heritage and the Central Province

In Kandy District, Loolecondera Estate includes the first tea plot planted on an experimental basis after coffee cultivation failed in Sri Lanka. The plot is known as Field No. 7 of the Loolkandura or Loolecondera Estate. Taylor’s Seat at Loolecondera Estate offers views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Those interested in the history of tea cultivation can combine these stops with a viewpoint; the historical account of the first plot and the mountain views convey two different sides of the place.

In the wider destination of the Central Province, the Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya were established in 1821. They include more than 4,000 plant species, including orchids, spice and medicinal plants, and palms. The spice garden is one of the gardens’ main attractions. The Orchid House displays blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda, as well as their hybrids. Also in the wider destination of the Central Province, the Hanthana Tea Museum can arrange a tea sample or tasting on request.

When choosing a hotel, start by asking yourself: Is your stay mainly about Kandy’s cultural and historical sights, or are you more interested in hiking and tea elsewhere in the district? Which specific location suits your trip depends on the visits you have planned.

Discover more destinations: Katugastota, Ratnapura, Matale, Kegalle.

Back to the wider travel overview: Sabaragamuwa Province.