Top Things to See
While many of Sri Lanka’s most popular visitor destinations are beach-based, Kandy lies inland and relies heavily on its interesting sightseeing attractions to draw tourist interest. The city offers an interesting variety of visual treats, among which are both manmade and natural highlights. Horton Plains National Park is perhaps the most scenic of Kandy’s draw cards and is rarely missed by anyone visiting this part of the country.
Digana Forest Reserve
Situated along the Kandy-Mahiyangana road, Digana Forest is a nature reserve covering a 10-acre area and providing locals and visitors alike the opportunity to view and study rare plant species. Known for its calm and tranquil environment, the reserve is home to more than 100 different species of plants and also includes a herb garden where some rare examples can be seen. The reserve is also home to an open-air theatre with a capacity for 600 spectators, at which lectures and demonstrations with botanical themes are presented.
 Horton Plains National Park
Within easy driving distance of the city, Horton Plains National Park is famous as Sri Lanka’s highest plateau. Covering a whopping 3,160 hectares, the park is an essential entry on any Kandy visitor’s itinerary, promising stunning scenery as well as fresh mountain air and fascinating plant and animal species. Kirigalpotta and Thotupola, the country’s second and third highest mountains, are located within the park territory. Horton Plains has been a protected area since been awarded official national park status in 1988.
Knuckle Mountains
Some travelling is required to visit the Knuckle mountain range, but it’s worth the effort as this 90 square-mile area offers some amazing panoramic views punctuated by a total of 35 peaks, some reaching lofty heights over 3,000 feet (915 metres). Like Horton Plains National Park, the mountain range is rich in indigenous plant and animal life.
Old Royal Palace
Situated adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth, the Old Royal Palace compound contains a number of structures dating to the days of the Sri Lankan monarchy. The actual royal palace building is notable, as are the council chambers, the queen's chambers, the quarters of the royal concubines and the armoury. Individual buildings now serve as museums housing a variety of royal artefacts.
 Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya
Offering a unique combination of cultural heritage and aesthetically pleasing botanical sights, the Peradeniya gardens are one of Kandy’s most popular visitor destinations. The gardens date back to the 14th century and are notable for their impressive orchid collection as well as a spice garden in which traditional Ayurvedic herbs are grown.
Religious Sites
Sri Lanka’s residents follow four religions; Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, with Buddhism being the most widely practiced faith. Kandy has a large collection of places of worship, the most famous being the Temple of the Tooth. Aside from this temple, there are a variety of other Buddhist temples of interest including Gadaladeniya, Lankatilaka and Embekke. There are also a number of Hindu shrines that visitors will find of cultural and artistic interest.
 Udawatte Kele Royal Sanctuary
Udawatta Kele Royal Sanctuary has been a site of importance since the 14th century and the time of King Wickramabahu. The sanctuary was once used as a place of refuge for the king during periods of foreign invasion. With forest territory covering some 257 acres of the land, the sanctuary is home to an extensive collection of animals, birds and insects. Birdwatchers will relish the chance to see species such as yellow-fronted barbet, layard's parakeet, hanging birds and spot-winged thrush.
Top Things to Do
Get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Kandy is awash with gorgeous scenery and outdoor destinations that are just begging to be explored. National parks offer fascinating plant and animal life, as well as vast areas that are perfect for hiking and trekking. After you’ve checked out the city’s cultural treasures, experiencing its natural ones should be next on your Kandy itinerary.
 Take a daytrip to the beach. The popular resort town of Weligama, just outside of the city of Matara, offers stunning beaches just a few hours drive from Kandy. Enjoy the gorgeous golden sands or take the time to explore some of the area’s cultural sights which include an old rest house and an even older temple known as Aggrabodhi Vihara dating to the 3rd century BC.
Test your spice threshold and order a curry. Kandy proves that the word ‘curry’ goes far beyond the creations that are invariably served in European curry houses. A fantastic array of dishes is created here, each with its own unique blend of herbs and spices. A plethora of vegetable and fruit based dishes on offer, while carnivores can enjoy a good selection of meat and fish curries.
 Visit the Kandy Elephant Orphanage. Few hearts will not be warmed or melted by sights of the young elephants at this popular animal sanctuary. The chance to bottle-feed young residents is anexperience that few visitors pass up or forget in a hurry. After feeding, bath time also makes for an entertaining spectacle.
Witness the ultimate Buddhist artefact. For Buddhists, the tooth contained at Sri Dalada Maligawa, which the devoted believe came from the mouth of the Buddha, is of great significance. The temple itself is always abuzz with activity making it an interesting place to observe local religious customs.
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