Holiday in Kandy

About Kandy

Kandy is the cultural heart of Sri Lanka and the last royal city of the island. Nestled in green hills in the central highlands, surrounded by tea plantations and tropical gardens, this UNESCO World Heritage city combines over 2,000 years of Buddhist tradition with the charm of a vibrant modern city. The Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is the spiritual center of Buddhist Sri Lanka. In a golden shrine, the country's holiest relic is kept: a tooth of Buddha. The Puja ceremony takes place three times a day, during which the shrine is opened — accompanied by drum sounds, flower offerings, and the scent of incense. The Esala Perahera Festival in July/August, where the relic is paraded through the city on a decorated elephant, is Sri Lanka's most spectacular festival. Kandy Lake, artificially created by the last kings, forms the picturesque center of the city. A walk around the lake in the early morning, when the mist lies over the water and the temples on the shore are bathed in golden light, is one of the most peaceful moments Sri Lanka has to offer. The surrounding hills with the Upper Lake Drive provide panoramic views over the city and the lake. The Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, just 6 kilometers away, is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Asia. On 60 hectares, orchids of all colors grow, giant Java fig trees with sprawling crowns, a spice collection, and a palm house with 200 species. Flying foxes hang upside down in the trees — a quirky sight. Kandy is also the gateway to Sri Lanka's tea country. The train ride from Kandy to Ella — one of the most famous train routes in the world — passes through endless tea plantations, over spectacular viaducts, and through misty mountain landscapes. Along the way, you can visit tea factories and see how green leaves are turned into Ceylon tea.