Amidst the rolling, forested hills of the cool central highlands, about three hours from Colombo, this low-slung, gracious city of just over 125,000 wrapped around a scenic lake was the last capital of the Sinhalese monarchy which ruled from 542 BCE till the advent of British colonial rule in 1815. It´s still considered the country´s cultural capital, in part due to its architectural heritage. Front and center, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage royal palace complex, site of the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic (yes, of the Buddha), dating back to 1595; there´s a museum documenting the tooth´s history and significance. Other attractions include the Royal Botanical Gardens; performances of traditional Kandyan dance; colorful markets; beautiful views over the surrounding hills; and several other interesting museums, such as the National Museum of Kandy, another devoted to tea, and yet another to world Buddhism.
Read more in Tripatini contributor Travel Guide´s post Stupendous Sri Lanka and 7 of its Tp Destinations.
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