Infrastructure
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Transportation[edit]
Main article: Transport in Sri Lanka
Kandy has a public transport system based primarily on buses. The bus service is operated both by private companies and the government's own Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). The Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal (KMTT) after constructed will integrate a major bus terminal to the Kandy railway station. KMTT will handle about 2,000 bus departures, up to 3,000 further through-services, and about 320,000 passenger movements on a daily basis. EoIs from consultants for the Design, Construction Supervision and Contract Administration of the project were called in 2016 funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the development of the Greater Kandy Urban Plan by the UDA of Sri Lanka under the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Air[edit]
Main article: Kandy Airport
A domestic airport serving Kandy has been proposed for locations including Kundasale and later Maberiyatenna, Digana. In 2018, the Cabinet approved a feasibility study for a domestic airport intended to improve regional air connectivity. As of 2026, the project remains at the proposal stage.
Roads[edit]
A-Grade highways
A1 highway (Kandy road) connects Colombo with Kandy.
A9 highway connects Jaffna with Kandy.
A26 highway connects Padiyathalawa with Kandy via Mahiyangana.
A10 highway connects Puttalam with Kandy via Kurunegala and Katugastota.
A5 highway connects Chenkalady with Kandy via Padiyathalawa Badulla Nuwara Eliya and Peradeniya.
High-speed expressways
The proposed Colombo–Kandy expressway is being developed through sections of the Central Expressway (E04) and related link roads. As of 2026, several sections are operational or under construction, while key segments connecting the Kandy region, including the Rambukkana–Galagedara section, remain under development.
Rail[edit]
Matale Line of the Sri Lanka Railways connects Kandy by way of Peradeniya and Matale. It connects to the Main Line that links Colombo and BadullaRail transport in Kandy has periodically been affected by severe weather events, including flooding and landslides. Following major floods in late 2025, sections of the railway network serving Kandy and the Up-Country line experienced temporary suspensions, infrastructure damage and service delays while repairs were carried out.
Architecture[edit]
Main articles: Architecture of Kandy and Architecture of Sri Lanka
Kandy World Heritage Site marker
Temple of the Tooth[edit]
Main article: Temple of the Tooth
Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy.
On the north shore of the lake, which is enclosed by a parapet of white stone dating to the beginning of the 19th century, are the city's official religious monuments, including the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth, known as the Sri Dalada Maligawa (daḷadā māligāva). Reconstructed in the 18th century, the Sri Dalada Maligawa is built on a base of granite that was inspired by the temples of Sri Lanka's former capital city, Anuradhapura. An array of materials (limestone, marble, sculpted wood, ivory, etc.) contribute to the richness of this temple. Throughout this small holy city, a number of recent Buddhist monasteries can be found.
The monumental ensemble of Kandy is an example of construction that associates the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Tooth (Palace of the tooth relic) is the place that houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Originally part of the Royal Palace complex of the Kandyan Kingdom, it is one of the holiest places of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world. It was the last of a series of temples built in the places where the relic, the actual palladium of the Sinhalese monarchy, was brought following the various relocations of the capital city.
The Palace of the Tooth relic, the palace complex and the holy city of Kandy are associated with the history of the dissemination of Buddhism. The temple is the product of the last peregrination of the relic of the tooth of Buddha and the testimony of a religion which continues to be practiced today.
The International Buddhist Museum nearby houses objects contributed by India, Gandhara, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Thailand, etc. A 16-foot statue of Gautama Buddha, a replica of the Sarnath Buddha is installed in front of the museum, gifted by the Government of India.
Royal Palace[edit]
Main article: Royal Palace of Kandy
The Royal Palace of Kandy
The Royal Palace of Kandy is the last Royal Palace built in the island. Although only part of the original palace complex remains. The Temple of the Tooth was part of this complex, due to the ancient tradition that stated that the monarch is the protector of the relic though which the ruler of the land. It today houses the National Museum Kandy which holds an extensive collection of artefacts from both the Kandy Kingdom and the British colonial rule.
Lankatilaka Temple[edit]
Main article: Lankatilaka Vihara
The Lankatilaka Temple is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Sinhalese temple architecture.[citation needed] Built on a rock, the temple is reached by a long series of rock-cut steps. An arched passage of the image house leads through a Mandapa (hall) into the inner sanctum which is decorated with floral designs. The two side walls and the ceiling are decorated with paintings. In the inner sanctum is a large seated image of the Buddha.
Gadaladeniya Temple[edit]
Main article: Gadaladeniya Vihara
The Gadaladeniya Temple's design is of South Indian origin with a Devale attached to it, similar in character to the Natha Devale and the Gedige of Adahana Maluwa. The main shrine room has a seated Buddha statue and the remains of some paintings of the Gampola period.
Among other important temples around Kandy are Dodanwala Devalaya (shrine), Embekka Devalaya (shrine), Galmaduwa Vihara temple, Handagala Vihara temple, Medawala Vihara and Nalanda Gedige.
Parks and gardens[edit]
Peradeniya Botanic garden
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya is situated about 5 km to the west of the city centre at Peradeniya and is visited by 2 million people per year. It is the largest botanical garden on the island extending to 147 acres (59 ha) and containing over 4000 species of plants.
Knuckles Mountain Range in Kandy is a world heritage site of UNESCO. Alagalla Mountain Range also named in English as Potato Range both famous for trekking in Sri Lanka.
The Udawatta Kele (Udawatta Forest) is a protected sanctuary situated in the heart of the city, just north of the Temple of the Tooth. Known as "Uda Wasala Watta" in Sinhala meaning, "the garden situated above the royal palace", it was designated as a forest reserve in 1856, and it became a sanctuary in 1938.
The Royal Palace Park, known as Wales Park is a small park that overlooks Kandy Lake and most of the city. In the park is a Japanese field gun which was captured by the British 14th Army in Burma during World War II and presented to the city of Kandy by Lord Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Theatre.
