Best Of Kandy

Peradeniya Botanical Garden

The historic Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya is a popular tourist and lovers' attraction, renowned for its rare tropical plants and collection of orchids. The garden includes more than 4000 species of plants, comprising of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees. In 1821, Alexandar Moon formed the groundwork for the botanical garden. He used it for coffee and cinnamon plants. This is one of the biggest attractions in Kandy where every tourist who visits here try not to miss.

Ceylon Tea Factory

Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon. What many do not know is that Sri Lanka is one of the few countries where each tea leaf is picked by hand rather than by the mechanization of modern technology. In general, these tea plants require constant nurturing and attention and the two leaves and a bud, which have the flavor and aroma, are skilfully plucked by mostly women. Old mechanisms and machines are still being used in Ceylon tea factories. Take a guided tour around the tea factory and learn about the tea production in Sri Lanka who is the number one tea producer for the world.

Ceylon Gem Museum

Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been one of the top gem-producing countries in the world. In the past, this island was known as Ratnadeepa which means Island of Gems. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best gems in the world. Serendib was the ancient name given to the island by the Middle Eastern and Persian traders. Records from sailors state that they brought back “jewels of Serendib”. The blue sapphires from Sri Lanka are known as Ceylon Sapphire. Ceylon Sapphires are reportedly unique in color, clarity, and luster compared to the blue sapphires from other countries. The Blue Sapphires that adorn the British Crown and jewellery are from Sri Lanka.

Kandyan Cultural Show

"Ves" dance, the most popular form of the Kandyan dance, originated from an ancient purification ritual. The elaborate ves costume, particularly the headgear, is considered sacred and is believed to belong to the deity, Kohomba. Only toward the end of the 19th century were ves dancers first invited to perform outside the precincts of the Kankariya Temple at the annual Kandy Esala Perahera festival. The Kandyan Dance is iconic to Sri Lanka.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha

This sacred Buddhist temple of the highest veneration in Sri Lanka was a royal place of the Kandyan Kings of the past. It houses Gautama Buddha's left canine tooth which is enshrined in a stupa decked with gems and gold jewellery. Please note that you will not be able to see the tooth itself and the door to the stupa is usually closed. It is usually showcased only on rare special occasions.