List of places to visit in Kandy – The Legendary Hill Capital

Referred to by the locals as the Sri Dalada Maligawa, this temple is one of the most sacred locations for the country's Buddhist followers. This is due to the fact that the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha. The temple is located in what was the palace of the last King of Sri Lanka and is regularly flocked to by hordes of pilgrims looking to offer tokens and bless themselves. The temple itself is grandly built, which makes sense considering it is a former palace. The roofs are painted with an iconic gold colour and the insides are quite opulent and lavish. A visit to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is definitely one of the top things to do in Kandy.

Present right in the heart of the iconic city the Kandy Lake is a massive man-made body of water and is right next to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Construction of the lake was halted after the British invasion but the lake is still a serene and beautiful sight. The stage for a number of legends, the Kandy Lake has a small island in the middle. Close to hotels such as Dream Lodge, a walk around the massive lake is one of the most soothing things one can engage in. Close to the lake is a jungle where one can opt for a hike or a simple walk.

Tea has always been a major part of Sri Lanka's trade and the hill country is dotted with endless tea plantations. For those looking to gain a behind-the-scenes view of this trade, the Giragama Tea Plantation is just the place to visit. The tea plantation is present just outside the city and gives visitors the chance to take a look at the tea making process and even taste different types of tea at the end of the tour.

Located on the outskirts of the city, the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden is a wondrous sight that is sure to dazzle anyone who sets foot into the compound. Housing over four thousand species of plants, the garden borders the Mahaweli River and has a long line of stately Palm trees. This amazing landscape was once the private garden of royalty and boasts the rare and unorthodox cannonball fruit tree as well as a Burma Bamboo tree that reaches a height of forty meters. Another popular occupant of the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden is an ancient giant Javan fig tree that takes up most of the lawn with its massive central trunk and its umbrella-esque canopy of branches. The park is also frequented by fruit bats and dozens of monkeys, all of which make for great viewing.