The back story
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The back story
Kandy, the hill capital, the back story
The last royal capital of Sri Lanka, home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, on a lake in the hills.
Region guide · about 3 hours from Colombo
Kandy: Our Favourites
The Temple of the Tooth, the lake, the Esala Perahera and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya.
What's onThis week in Sri Lanka
What to see
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Sri Lanka’s most sacred temple
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
The temple that houses the relic of the Buddha’s tooth, part of the Sacred City of Kandy World Heritage Site.
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Walk the shore
Kandy Lake
The lake built by the last king of Kandy, in front of the Temple of the Tooth.
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Orchids and giant trees
Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
Sri Lanka’s great botanic garden, just outside Kandy, with an orchid house and avenues of palms.
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In an old factory
Ceylon Tea Museum
A museum of tea in an old tea factory in the Hantana hills just south of Kandy.
Uduwela Road, Hantana, KandyExplore View on map
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Royal forest
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
The former royal forest on the hill behind the Temple of the Tooth, with walking paths and birdlife.
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The three temples
Embekke, Lankatilaka and Gadaladeniya
Three 14th-century temples west of Kandy, known for wood carving and Kandyan architecture.
Where to eat
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By the temple
The Empire Café
A café near the Temple of the Tooth, popular with travellers for rice and curry and coffee.
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Kottu and biryani
Kandy Muslim Hotel
A busy local restaurant in central Kandy for kottu, biryani and short eats.
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Since 2008
Balaji Dosai
A popular South Indian vegetarian restaurant in Kandy, serving dosai, idli and thalis since 2008.
D.S. Senanayake Veediya, KandyExplore View on map
Where to stay
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A wellness resort in the hills
Santani Wellness Kandy
A wellness resort on a former estate in the hills outside Kandy, built around stays with yoga, treatments and set menus.
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On the Mahaweli
Cinnamon Citadel Kandy
A riverside hotel on the Mahaweli River, a short drive from central Kandy.
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Tea estate
W15 Hanthana Estate
A boutique hotel on a tea estate in the Hantana hills, above Kandy.
947 Uduwela Road, HantanaExplore View on map
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One of a kind
Helga’s Folly
A famously eccentric hilltop hotel in Kandy, filled with art, murals and family memorabilia.
Shopping
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In the heart of town
Kandy City Centre
A modern shopping complex on Dalada Veediya, near the temple.
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A fair-trade handloom maker
Selyn
A Sri Lankan fair-trade handloom company, selling textiles, clothes and toys.
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Kandyan jewellery
Hemachandras
A jeweller and gem dealer on the Peradeniya Road outside Kandy, with Kandyan-style collections.
939 Peradeniya Road, KandyExplore View on map
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Books on Buddhism
Buddhist Publication Society bookshop
The bookshop of the Buddhist Publication Society, near Kandy Lake, for books on Theravada Buddhism in English.
54 Sangaraja Mawatha, KandyExplore View on map
Getting there
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The Kandy–Ella line
Trains & Sri Lanka Railways
The national railway, including the famous hill-country line from Colombo and Kandy to Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and Ella.
Share your Kandy tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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