With an impressive collection of 4000 plus species of exotic plants, the Peradeniya Botanical Garden is the perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts to connect with the great outdoors.

Historically, the garden was used for recreational purposes by the Sinhalese kings, and it dates back to the reign of King Wickramabahu III in the 1300s. By 1821, the area was formally established as a garden by the British, who brought over plant varieties from the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens in London.

Today, the garden is split into 30 sections which can be toured at your own pace. Apart from visiting its famed Orchid House and collection of giant bamboos, most travellers take a stroll down its Royal Palm Avenue to clear their minds.

While you will need a minimum of two hours to see most of what the garden has to offer, it is easy to lose track of time once you are inside. That being said, you are guaranteed to end your tour with a newfound love of nature.

Although the garden is best explored on foot, you can hire a buggy cart to drive you around if you are unable to walk for long stretches of time. You can also drop by the attached café and restaurant for a quick bite and a cup of tea once you are done.

The Kandy Dance Show combines vibrant displays of Kandyan culture with awe-inspiring dances by the locals to deliver a memorable evening performance. Each performance showcases the five traditional dancing styles in Sri Lanka: ves, naiyandi, uddekki, pantheru, and vannam.

The local instruments set the stage for the dancers to deliver a passionate performance that is timed to the heavy beating of drums in the background. Garbed in elaborate costumes and headdresses, these dancers also exhibit their skills as acrobats by walking on fire and eating fire.

The cultural show is a daily performance that begins at 5.30pm at the Kandy Lake Club. Although each performance lasts for an hour, it is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. That being said, you may have to show up early to secure the seats with the best view of the stage.

Apart from its cultural landmarks, Kandy’s streetside boutiques and shopping complexes are a part of the city’s quaint charm. As you stroll past the colonial buildings which make up its commercial hub, you will realize that this city offers a shopping experience like no other.

While the antique shops scattered haphazardly on the streets sell intricate woodcarvings and jewellery, the clothing stores beside them offer a colourful selection of batik fabrics. Among these boutiques, you will also find plenty of gift shops which sell all kinds of souvenirs that you can take back home with you.

For a more sophisticated shopping experience, you can drop by Kandy’s malls to find what you need. These complexes have plenty of department stores with designer brands to choose from.

Even though bargaining is not a common practice in Sri Lanka, do not hesitate to put your skills to the test and haggle for the best prices when purchasing expensive gems and woodcarvings.

The Three Temple Loop is the perfect choice for those who wish to tread on a road less taken. Travelling on this 7km path past paddy fields and rural settlements will take you to three temples: Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka and Embekka, which are known for their outstanding craftsmanship.

Gadaladeniya is one of the largest rock temples on the island which features Dravidian architecture with Sinhalese influences. Built in the 14th century by King Buwanekabahu IV, this Buddhist temple is best known for its stone carvings, its seated Buddha statue and the Makara Thorana (Dragon’s Arch). It also offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.

Lankathilaka is yet another Buddhist temple built by King Buwanekabahu IV with South Indian influences. Although the main building was originally a four-storey brick structure built atop an uneven rock, only three storeys can be accessed by visitors today. Even so, the sculptures, paintings and stone inscriptions of Lankathilaka makes it a testament to the rich history of the Kandyan Kingdom.

On the other hand, Embekka is an ancient Hindu temple where pilgrims gather to worship the guardian deity of Sri Lanka, the Kataragama Deviyo. This temple is made up of three parts: an inner sanctum, the Dancing Hall, and the Drummers’ Hall, which feature intricate wood carvings of animals, deities and warriors. With the exception of the sanctum, everything within the temple is made of wood, making it an architectural marvel.

While these temples are regretfully overlooked by travellers, they offer insight into ancient architecture and the link between Buddhism and Hinduism. This makes the Three Temple Loop especially ideal for those who are interested in Sri Lankan culture.

However, before you embark on this excursion, keep in mind that you must comply with the temple dress code. Consider purchasing a sarong to carry around with you, so that you can cover your bare shoulders and knees before entering each temple.

Located atop a hill, the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha statue towers over Kandy at an impressive height of 88 feet, making it one of the tallest statues of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka.

Built in 1972, the statue and the temple are relatively new structures which lack the historical importance that is associated with other religious sites in Kandy. However, what it lacks in history, it makes up for in its might, as the carved Buddha statue is visible from nearly every part of the city.

Most travellers visit this attraction to see the statue in person, but if you do not mind a short climb, you can get to the top of the monument and enjoy breath-taking views of the cityscape and the surrounding greenery.

In order to enter the Bahirawakanda Vihara, you must comply with the temple dress code. Not only will you be asked to remove your hats and shoes by the entrance, but you must also cover your bare arms and knees with a sarong. Please note that the temple will charge you a small fee to rent one of their sarongs, which you can wrap around your body.

As the temple is on a hill, getting there by foot is out of the question, especially in the afternoon. Your best choice is to flag down a tuk-tuk which will take you there with enough time to spare.

Presently maintained by the British War Grave Commissions, the Commonwealth Cemetery stands as a testament to the sacrifices of 198 veterans who fought in the First World War and the Second World War.

In the period between 1817 and 1873, the cemetery was the main burial ground for British nationals in Kandy. With the advent of the Second World War, Kandy became the base of the South East Asia Command, and this graveyard was turned into a resting place for those who had succumbed to death while fighting for the British Empire.

While most of the graves within the landscaped gardens belong to the military, several belong to the air force, national fire service and navy. So, as you take a quiet stroll amidst the greenery, you can pay your respects to the war veterans who sacrificed their lives in a brutal struggle for peace.