Top Places to See in Kandy – A Vibrant and Multi-Faceted City

Taking pride of place in Kandy is the greatly revered Temple of the Tooth. As its name indicates this religious highlight houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and is regularly visited by a steady stream of Buddhist devotees and sightseers alike. This temple features a simple yet distinctive exterior appearance with its unmistakable red roofs. By contrast, the interior of the temple is elaborately decorated with exquisite wood, lacquer and ivory elements. The tooth relic itself is not displayed to the public, and rests within special caskets in a secluded shrine. Many visitors to Kandy make it a point to visit this intriguing temple.

Nature lovers and avid sightseers alike will be enthralled by the picturesque Kandy Lake. This appealing lake may be regarded as one of Kandy's most attractive features and is frequented by local residents and visitors alike. The environs of Kandy Lake is an excellent place to spend quality leisure time with your partner or family. In fact, this lake has acquired a reputation as an ideal locality for romance with its striking beauty and tranquil ambience. You will see that the lake is surrounded by numerous attractive spots where you can rest and relax. Visitors will also encounter several historically significant structures near the lake.

If you enjoy the attractions of pristine nature you should undoubtedly include the pleasant Udawattakele Sanctuary in your Kandy itinerary. This sizable extent of forestland will certainly capture the interest of the nature lover with its verdant vegetation that includes magnificent trees and flourishing giant bamboo. Udawattakele Sanctuary is also renowned as an outstanding attraction for avid birdwatchers, with many interesting avian species frequenting the area. You will also have the opportunity to secure the services of a guide in order to make the most of your bird watching tour. In times past this sanctuary functioned as a pleasure garden for the local royalty.

Plant and tree lovers are sure to be enthralled by the splendid Peradeniya Botanical Gardens which is considered to be one of the finest of its kind in the region. As you might expect within this expansive and beautifully laid out botanical garden you will find a remarkable and entrancing selection of plants and trees including some unusual and rare varieties. Highlights at this garden include the captivating selection of orchids, a magnificent avenue of palm trees, the giant bamboo and the cannonball tree. You will also be enthralled by the giant fig tree in the great lawn which presents a jaw-dropping sight. A choice of accommodation that you could consider from which this garden would be within easy reach would be the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, a convenient base from which to explore Kandy. Things to do in this city such as visiting the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens make for a truly unforgettable day out.

If you love animals in general and elephants, in particular, there is no doubt that a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage will be a highlight of your visit to Kandy. At this popular attraction, you will have the opportunity to observe and even interact with the herd of elephants that resides here. Since most of the resident elephants are friendly and docile they are generally tolerant of human visitors. The best times to visit the orphanage would be the elephants' feeding and bathing times. You may even have the opportunity to bottle feed one of the endearing baby elephants that make their home at the orphanage.