Kandy was the last capital of the ancient kings’ era of Sri Lanka. Since the Kandyan kingdom came under the British only around 1815, the city still retains the living traditions of its sovereign kingdom era. Kandyans are usually proud of their heritage and most Kandyans subscribe to Buddhist values. Kandy is home to The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988. In recent years, the city’s cultural landscape has undergone some transformation with the influx of immigrants from other parts of the country. Locals bemoan the gradual disappearance of the 'honest Kandyan’ as portrayed in colonial literature and visitors are advised to be careful with their belongings. Nevertheless, Kandy remains a peaceful city compared to most other parts of this island country, with a remarkably lower crime rate and refreshing climate.