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Travel guide

Places to visit in Central Province

The best places to see in Central Province: sights, nature, temples and beaches, with opening hours, entry fees and how to get there.

5 places

Historical & heritage sites Must see

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya, Matale District

A 5th-century royal citadel on top of a 200 m rock, with the famous Lion’s Paw gate, frescoes and water gardens. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Buddhist temples Must see

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Kandy, Kandy District

Sri Dalada Maligawa, beside Kandy Lake, houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha and is one of the most sacred places for Buddhists.

Buddhist temples

Dambulla Cave Temple

Dambulla, Matale District

Five cave shrines on a rock above Dambulla, filled with Buddha statues and painted ceilings. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lakes & reservoirs

Gregory Lake

Nuwara Eliya, Nuwara Eliya District

A lake in Nuwara Eliya made in colonial times, with boat rides, a lakeside park and cool hill-country air.

Parks & gardens

Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya

Kandy, Kandy District

Sri Lanka’s largest botanic garden, famous for its orchid house, giant Java fig tree and avenues of palms.

On the map

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