7 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Kandy - Must-Visit Highlights in Hill Capital Kandy

Also known as the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is one of the island's most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites for a good reason. As the holy venue where the dental remains of Lord Buddha have been preserved for decades, this massive Buddhist temple is a pilgrimage site of truly mammoth proportions. Attracting visitors from far and wide, the Temple of the Tooth is housed in what was once a royal palace and also contains a museum where taxidermy remains of old tuskers and other relics are on display.

As one of the first horticultural hotspots to have been established during the colonial era, the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is among the oldest botanical spaces in Sri Lanka. Sprawled across an impressive 147 acres, the garden is divided into different sections containing herbal plants with medicinal value, giant bamboo, multicoloured roses and plants that have been exported from various nations. Overall, there are 4000 flora species on show at the venue as well as 10,000 plant varieties.

Travellers based at Amaya Hills or any one of the other Kandy hotels must also enjoy a shopping spree at the KCC. Declared the largest and finest shopping centre in the city, the Kandy City Centre is the place to purchase fashionable clothing, accessories, footwear, souvenirs and even batiks.

Located in Hantane, a trip to Kandy would truly be incomplete without a tour of the Ceylon Tea Museum. Set up as early as 1925, the locale which documents the island's tea history and heritage is spread out across 4 stories.

Ranked among the best-preserved war memorials in Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth War Cemetery falls under the purview of the Commonwealth War Cemetery. This charming and tranquil resting place of the fallen soldiers of World War II remains a haunting attraction in the lush hills of Kandy. Containing over 180 tombs, most of the servicemen buried here were later transported to the venue from graveyards around the country in 1958.

Offering visitors breathtaking views of the city from its vaulted height, the Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue is another not-to-miss religious attraction in Kandy. Reached via a series of steps, the main highlight at the top of the Bahirava Kanda summit is an 88-foot-tall Buddha sculpture.

The Gem Museum is an unusual attraction in this sacred city. Although Ratnapura is the official gem capital of Sri Lanka, the sapphires, rubies and other precious stones on display at the venue will be of interest to those with a passion for jewellery and all that glitters.