The world's finest monuments lie in the Cultural Tri Angle of Sri Lanka stretching from Kandy to Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa, three ancient kingdoms and capitals of the Island. The ancient and historic locations to visit here are:
Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka's North Central Province on the banks of the Malwathu Oya. In the 4th Century BC King Pandukhabaya made this his capital city and planned the city and its suburbs in a very well organized manner. Succeeding his father to the throne, Mutasiva maintained Anuradhapura as his capital throughout the sixty years of his reign.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka during the reign of Mutasiva's son, Devanampiya Tissa. This was 236 years after the passing away of the Buddha. The city, after the introduction of Buddhism gained much more prominence and it grew as the administrative centre, resulting in increased population. Thus, the living facilities were improved to accomodate the expanding population. The city had some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient era. Many tanks were also build to store water and irrigate the land due to the fact that the city is located in a dry-zone. Most of these tanks can still be seen today.
Today, the ruins of the ancient city of Anuradhapura can be categorised into three. Dagobas, monastic buildings and pokunas. That attract tourists from all parts of the world in huge numbers. The city also contains a sacred Bo-Tree which is believed to date back to the year 245BC.
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Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Golden Age of Polonnaruwa was seen during the reign of King Parakramabahu. One out of his many beliefs was that not even a single drop of water from the heavens was to be wasted. Instead each was to be used towards development of the land and its people. This resulted in Polonnaruwa housing far more complex irrigation systems than those found in Anuradhapura. These irrigation systems were so well planned and built that they are active and used for cultivation to this day. One of the highlights of these systems is the Parakrama Samudra, also known as the Sea of Parakrama. This reservoir encircles the main City of Polonnaruwa and acts as a moat for intruders and provides water for the inhabitants inside. The width of this reservoir is such that it is pretty much impossible to view the otherside by standing on its shore.
Today, the City of Polonnaruwa is still one of the best planned archeological locations in Sri Lanka bringing in hordes of tourists. Toque Macaques, living in the city's ruins since human occupation, these monkeys still live there even after the humans left. These creatures are another draw for tourists.
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Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Kandy is the second largest city lying in the misdt of hill in the Kandy Plateau. The Kandyan Kingdom was ruled by many kings. In 1592, after the coastal regions had been conqured by the portugese, the Kandyan Kingdom was the last to remain. It repelled numerous attacks by the Portugese. After the Portugese, the Dutch began conquring the Island and the Kandyan Kindgom successfully replelled Dutch attacks as well which inflicted heavy losses on the Dutch. This continued untill a peace treaty was signed in 1766 with the Dutch till the British invaded the Island.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic (The Dalada Maligawa) is a must visit spot located on the North Shore of the Kandy Lake. King Vimaladharmasuriya of Kandy consolidated his authority further by bringing the Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddhato Kandy from Delgamuwa. This is one of the holiest places for Buddhists all around the world.
Approxmately 5km to the west of Kandy, another must view spot, is the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. Being the largest botanical garden in the island nation it houses over 4000 species of plants.
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A mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, Mihintale is believed by Sri Lankans to be the place where Mahinda, the Buddhist monk and King Devanampiya Tissa met which in turn inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is a pilgrimage site for local and foreign Buddhists. Known as the Cradle of Buddhism, houses many religious monuments and structures of the past.
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An ancient rock fortress located in the Matale District, Sigiriya is a site of archeological and historical significance. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lions Rock in Sigiriya is a massive column of rock aprroximately 200m high on which King Kasyapa built his Royal Palace and made Sigiriya his capital.
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The best preserved and the largest cave temple is located in Dambulla. The rock towers 160m over the surrounding plains. Having more than 80 caves, ther are 5 with major attractions which contain statues and paintings of the Buddha, Sri Lankan Kings, and various Gods.
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The second largest in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park, is the most visited park in the island nation. Designated as a wildlife sanctuary, Yala is best known for its variety of wild animals. Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds are amongst the most seeked. It also has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world.
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Wilpattu, located in the North West of Sri Lanka is the largest and the oldest national park in the country. Its unique feature is the existence of Willus (Natural Lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins. Also it houses one of the highest densities of Sri Lankan leopards.
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Located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, Minneriya National Park known for the Minneriya Tank. It was designated as a wildlife sanctuary at first, but then redegisnated as a national park to protect the catchment of the Minneriya Tank which is of great historic importance.
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The Udawalawe National Park was created to provide a sanctuary to the wild animals displaced due to the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River. It is a very important habitat for aquatic birds and Sri Lankan Elephants. Udawalawe is the third most visited national park in Sri Lanka.
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Contigous with the Yala National Park, Kumana National Park is located on the Southeast Coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most important bird nesting and breeding parks in Sri Lanka with over 255 species recorded.
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Watching the mischief of ever smiling dolphins is a treat for animal lovers. Speeding in and out of the water parallel to you, they will put up a show while the huge whales swiftly swim past you.
See more →Sri Lanka has so many different delights to offer ranging from beach vacations, wildlife safaris, the central highlands' chill out and more. Thats a very great menu card for tourists who want a wonderful vacation with a lot of options. The island nation is also famous for its honeymoon tours in enchanting hotels. Rich in culture and entertainment, here are some of the must visit locations around Sri Lanka:
Adam's Bridge
Dutch Fort, Mannar
Trincomalee Natural Harbour
Adam's Peak
Bambarakanda Waterfall
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Nuwara Eliya
Unawatuna Beach
Galle Fort
Lipton's Seat, Bandarawela
An ideal destination for worldwide beach bums, Sri Lanka, has a variety of beach activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, yachting, water skiing, scuba diving or jut lazing around for the perfect tan. Sri Lanka has more than 1600km of well maintained sandy coastline for the perfect coastal getaway, some of the most famous beaches are:
The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site includes the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. Rising over 2500m above sea level, this region houses a variety of mammal species including the bear-monkey.
There are a lot of other places around the central highlands which are flocked with tourists all year round, some are:
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is a bustling city and a hopping-off point for beaches in the island nation's south. It has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. That heritage is reflected in its spicy cuisine as well as its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises and shopping malls.
Make sure your step foot into these venues in Colombo:
There are many places to find bargains in Colombo! Modern shopping malls and specialty stores carry high quality goods at very affordable prices. If you are looking for an even greater bargain, without the surroundings, try your bargaining with the many street vendors and outdoor markets (such as in the Pettah area and across from the Fort Railway Station).
Products that are worth buying in Sri Lanka include world famous Ceylon tea, clothing (many designer clothes are manufactured in Sri Lanka and you can buy them here for a fraction of the cost elsewhere) and jewelry (including the Sri Lankan blue saphire).
Quality is generally assured at the higher end stores, if purchasing at other locations, use your judgment when buying expensive items.
Find Shopping Spots...After the long working day, Colombo changes from being a business hub to an entertaining network of cinemas, restaurants, night clubs and bars. If what you need is entertainment, Colombo can surely deliver and pave the way for relaxed enjoyment.
Cinemas (screening the latest movies in English, Tamil and Sinhala), theatres (highlighting the best of local talent) and pool parlours complete the entertainment picture of Colombo.