Hill Country
Kandy
Lakeside hill capital and sacred temple.
The last kingdom to fall to colonial rule, held out here in the hills, and the city still carries itself as a capital. A lake sits at its centre and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic sits on its shore.
It is also the gateway to tea country — the train south from Kandy is one of the great rail journeys.
Highlights
What you do here.
The Temple of the Tooth
Timed for evening puja, when the drummers play and the relic chamber opens.
Royal Botanic Gardens
Peradeniya's giant bamboo, orchid house and the avenue of palms, best walked before midday.
Kandyan dance and drum
An evening performance of the region's own tradition, arranged privately where possible.
