Kandy / 10 photo spots
10 Instagram spots around Kandy
Kandy’s lake, wooded hills and nearby botanic gardens offer different ways to frame the hill country. Peradeniya and Hantana are separate outings, and garden access and photography rules should be checked before visiting.
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Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Destination reference: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Spot coordinates: Wikidata, CC0. Selection, association and some calculations by You, Me, Away.
Kandy Lake
Kandy Lake sits in the centre of the hill city. From an accessible waterside path, make a level frame of the lake with the wooded slopes beyond.
Search Google MapsQueen’s Hotel, Kandy
Queen’s Hotel occupies a historic building near Kandy Lake. From an accessible pavement, look for a detail of the façade and follow any local security or photography signs.
Search Google MapsKandy View Point
The Upper Lake Drive viewpoint looks across Kandy and its lake. From the viewing area, keep the lake low in the frame and give the surrounding hills room above it.
Search Google MapsRoyal Palace Park
Also known as Wales Park, this hilltop park overlooks Kandy Lake and the city. Look for a view between the trees from an accessible park path, and check current access before visiting.
Search Google MapsUdawatta Kele Sanctuary
This forest sanctuary lies north of Kandy Lake. Photograph layers of vegetation from an open visitor trail and follow the reserve’s signs and directions.
Search Google MapsRoyal Palm Avenue, Peradeniya
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya lie west of Kandy and charge admission. On the main drive, use the rows of royal palms to lead the eye into the distance.
Search Google MapsGreat Lawn and Java fig, Peradeniya
A large Java fig spreads across the Great Lawn in the botanical garden. Step back along an open path to give the canopy space and show its umbrella-like form.
Search Google MapsLake at Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
The botanical garden has a lake as well as its avenues and lawns. From a garden path, make the water the main shape and let nearby foliage frame one edge.
Search Google MapsBamboo collection, Peradeniya
The botanical garden’s bamboo collection stands along River Drive. Point the camera upward from the path to show the height and repeating lines of the stems.
Search Google MapsCeylon Tea Museum grounds
The tea museum occupies a former factory in Hantana, outside central Kandy. Its landscaped grounds include tea bushes. Ask staff about photography rules, then compose the plants along a permitted path.
Search Google MapsSources for these photo spots
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Sacred Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Photography, Restrictions and Permits
- Ceylon Hotels Corporation: Queen’s Hotel Kandy
- Ministry of Tourism: Kandy Tourism Terms of Reference
- Korea Development Institute: Kandy Policy Consultation
- Central Province Tourism Department: Bird Watching
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Forest Park near Kandy
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Travel Habits
- Department of National Botanic Gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya
- Department of National Botanic Gardens: Royal Botanic Gardens Visitor Information
- Sri Lanka Tourism: Ceylon Tea Museum