The Honeymoon Guide Answers all about Kandy

FAQs on Travelling to Kandy

Kandy is in the country’s interior and is considered the central region of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1600 feet above sea level-Sri Lanka’s last kingdom (from 1473-1815). Kandyan Kings held out against the Portuguese and Dutch invaders and finally fell to the British in 1815 when the British took control of the entire country. The capital of the central province, Kandy is an important city in Sri Lanka; the UNESCO world heritage site The Temple of the Tooth, which holds the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and the Esala Perahera, an elaborate cultural procession, taking the holy Tooth Relic around the city in a grand procession for 10 days are famous attractions in Kandy.

01. Why is Kandy Famous?

Kandy is famous for the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, the Kandy annual Esala Perahera, the three-temple trail of ancient Buddhist temples, Kandy Lake, Udawatta Kelle Forest sanctuary and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

02. Is Kandy worth visiting?

Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second-most visited city after Sigiriya. The Temple of the Tooth, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy’s culture and unique architecture, and its convenient location to explore Ambuluwawa Tower, Nuwara Eliya, and take some of the best train journeys in the world to Ella make Kandy worth visiting.

03. Is Kandy Tamil or Singhalese?

Kandy is predominantly Singhalese, with about 70% of the city’s population being Sinhalese. Sri Lankan Muslims account for 23 %, and Sri Lankan and Indian Tamils account for around 9%. Interestingly, Sri Lanka’s last four Kings to rule in Kandy were descended from the Nayyakkar clan in Madurai, India.

04. Is Kandy better than Colombo?

Kandy and Colombo are populated urban centres but differ significantly in culture, architecture, experiences, and landscape. Kandy is in the central hills, around 1600 feet above sea level, while Colombo is a seaside urban centre. While Colombo is full of high rises, shopping malls, and city experiences, Kandy has chiefly retained its culture and charm. Kandy is also a stepping stone to exploring the central highlands, while Colombo is the gateway to exploring Negombo and the island's South.

05. What are some of the experiences in Kandy?

The Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Tooth, also has royal palace ruins and a Buddhist Museum. The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, Embekke, Gadaladeniya, Lankathilake Temples (Often referred to as the three-temple trail or loop). Exploring the Kandy Lake, Udawatta Kele, and Nelligala Buddhist Temple are also popular. Ambuluwawa Tower, located near nearby Gampola, is a trending Instagram location. The train journeys from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and Ella are some of the world's most scenic. Sri Lankan home cooking lessons and luxury spa experiences in Kandy are also popular experiences.