Central Province · Sri Lanka
Kandy Lake
Scenic ViewsCultural HeritageWalkingHistoryFree entry
Artificial lake built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinha in 1807 at the centre of Kandy, encircled by a 3km walkway and flanked by the Temple of the Tooth.
Duration
1 hour
Entry Fee
Free
Difficulty
easy
Budget
free
About Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake was constructed in 1807 at the order of the last Kandyan king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, using forced labour, which contributed to public resentment that eventually aided the British takeover in 1815. The lake covers 63 acres and its perimeter walkway of approximately 3 kilometres passes directly in front of the Temple of the Tooth Relic on the northern bank. A small island in the centre was used as the king's ammunition store and later as a summer house. The cloud wall balustrading along the lakeside road is a distinctive feature of Kandyan architecture. Early morning is the best time for a walk — the mist over the water and the cool air before 8am are notably pleasant.
Highlights
- Built in 1807 by the last Kandyan king
- 63-acre lake with 3km lakeside walking circuit
- Cloud wall balustrading — distinctive Kandyan architecture
- Directly adjacent to the Temple of the Tooth Relic
Practical Tips
Walk the lake perimeter at 6am to 7am for cool temperatures and few crowds.
The southern walkway offers the best photographic angle of the Temple of the Tooth across the water.
Avoid the lake road by car during Esala Perahera festival week in July/August — roads are closed for processions.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months Shoulder Avoid
Best time of day: Year-round; early morning preferred for walk; December to April for dry weather
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Budget level
- free
- Photography
- ★★★☆☆
🌅 Sunset viewpoint
Plan Your Visit
Want to include Kandy Lake in your Sri Lanka itinerary? Our team in Kandy builds personalised plans — no booking fees, no online payment.
ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy houses a tooth relic of the Buddha and has been the most sacred Buddhist site in Sri Lanka since the 4th century AD.
Explore →
Udawattakele Forest Reserve
A 104-hectare protected cloud forest reserve directly above central Kandy, with 68 recorded bird species and multiple walking trails through bamboo groves and tropical trees.
Explore →Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya
Sri Lanka's largest botanical garden covering 147 acres on a meander of the Mahaweli River, established in 1821 with over 4,000 plant species including a 350-year-old Java fig tree.
Explore →Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue
A 26.8-metre white seated Buddha statue on Bahirawakanda Hill overlooking central Kandy, visible from most of the city and accessible by a 30-minute walk or tuk-tuk.
Explore →PLAN YOUR VISIT
Ready to explore Kandy Lake?
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