Top 5 Things to Do in Kandy – Discover the Cultural Capital of Sri Lanka

The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is hailed as the most sacred place of worship for Buddhists around the country. Located in the former royal palace complex of the last kingdom of Sri Lanka, this is indeed one of the iconic landmarks of Sri Lanka, photographs of which adorn many blogs and magazines written about the country. Since the olden times, this relic has played a significant role in the country's politics as it is believed that whoever holds the relic will also hold the governing rights of the country. Located approximately 9.8 kilometres from hotels and bungalows like Mountbatten Bungalow, it is indeed a place that you shouldn't forget to visit in Kandy – the cultural capital of Sri Lanka.

Now, this is one of the many popular things to do in Kandy. The extremely scenic Kandy Lake is located right next to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and it is a man-made lake during the reign of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe; the last king of Sri Lanka. While roaming around the lake, remember the many folklores and legends associated with it. One such story is related to the small island that can be seen in the centre of the lake. It is said that this was used by the king's harem for bathing purposes and that it was linked to the palace via an undisclosed passage.

Located within a 15-minute distance from some of the best holiday bungalows in Sri Lanka, Royal Botanic Gardens is a great place to visit during your stay in Kandy. It is located 5.5 kilometres West from Kandy and is located on the former court of King Wickramabahu III. The temple that was built upon these grounds on a later period was destroyed by the British, after which, it was used to grow coffee and cinnamon. Located close to Mahaweli River, the longest of its kind in Sri Lanka, these gardens are highly-acclaimed for its beautiful collection of orchids.

During your visit to Kandy, you will find the quaint town of Bahirawakanda, that lies under the shade of a mountain of the same name. The town is quite popular for the Sri Maha Bodi Viharaya and the magnificent white Buddha Statue that is located in the temple premises – towering above everything that's around. This breathtaking statue is 88 metres tall and its white colour contributes to the calm and serene nature that hovers around its atmosphere.

Udawattakele Forest Reserve is a historical forest that can be seen on the background of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The forest is sprawled over 257 acres and is hailed as an essential biosphere reserve in the city. In 1938, it was declared as a forest reserve to keep away human activity that made the forest gradually deteriorate. Kandy Lake actually gets its pristine water from this forest's catchment areas.