Overview
If you are looking to find the soul of Sri Lanka, you will find it in Kandy. It is like a bright, colourful city hidden in a sea of deep green hills. Known as the island’s second-largest city, it is the capital of the Central Province. This city is one of those rare places where mist-covered mountains, buzzing local markets, and old-world colonial charm all blend perfectly in a laid-back setting. Owing to its high elevation, Kandy offers a cooler, more comfortable climate than the coastal heat, which makes it a year-round destination that never loses its magic.
Kandy Lake is at the heart of the city. A walk around its edge at sunset feels like pure therapy. You can see the reflection of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shimmering on the lake water. This temple is one of the most sacred places on Earth. You can watch the daily puja (worship) ceremony, with the sound of traditional drums echoing through the temple’s halls. It is a surreal experience, the memory of which stays with you long after you have headed home.
