International Buddhist Museum

Overview: International Buddhist Museum

The International Buddhist Museum, located in Kandy, Central Province, is the world’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the history and spread of Buddhism across different countries.

Situated near the sacred Temple of the Tooth, the museum features exhibits from nations such as India, Thailand, China, Japan, and Myanmar, each presenting their own traditions and cultural connections to Buddhism.

Front view of the International Buddhist Museum, Kandy

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round. The best time to visit is during December to April when the weather is pleasant in Kandy. Visiting in the morning offers fewer crowds.

Getting There

The museum is located within the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic complex in Kandy.

• By Car: 115 km from Colombo (about 3.5 hours via Kandy Road).
• By Train: Take a scenic Colombo–Kandy train and use local transport to the temple area.
• By Bus: Frequent buses run from Colombo and other major cities to Kandy.

Nearby Attractions

• Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) – UNESCO heritage Buddhist temple
• Kandy Lake – peaceful walk around the man-made lake
• Udawatta Kele Sanctuary – nature reserve near the city
• Kandy National Museum – artifacts and history of the Kandyan Kingdom

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