Explore Sri Lanka's Rich Cultural And Historical Heritage
Sri Lanka owns a rich history and the country has seen the beginning and end of mighty civilizations and prosperous dynasties. Sri Lanka's location in the Indian Ocean made the country the perfect destination for traders, who came from all four corners of the world to the island and due to this Sri Lanka was known as the “pearl of the Indian Ocean” among worldwide traders. This also lead Sri Lanka to have its rich cultural and historical background. Sri Lanka's culture is a fantastic blend of modern and traditional, with brand new contemporary buildings being built alongside old, rustic colonial buildings. The urban centres continue to grow more advanced, embracing modernity and progress, while the rural areas retain much of the traditional values that have prevailed in the country for hundreds of years. Tourists will not be able to find another country where modernity and tradition co-exist side by side, peacefully, nor will they be able to find another nation that embraces its own cultural and religious diversity in the same way that Sri Lanka does. In this backdrop of culture and history, there are plenty of exciting places to visit in Sri Lanka, whether tourists are looking to explore ancient ruins, drive around cosmopolitan urban centres teeming with life, enjoy natural scenic environments or want to interact with people from a completely different cultural background. Sri Lanka has a number of exciting and intriguing places that you can visit, in fact, it is possible that you may not even get to see everything at once, and you may have to visit the country several times to see all the monuments and breath taking environments that the island has to offer. This effort is to guide you on where to go in Sri Lanka to have the most memorable experience in your life.
Visit The Most Popular Landmarks And Cities In Sri Lanka
Adam's Peak
One of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, Adam's Peak has a unique and rich history in Sri Lanka's cultural landscape, due to its unique rock formation near the summit, which many locals call 'Sri Pada' which means 'sacred footprint' of Lord Buddha. Traders from throughout history, including Marco Polo, an Italian merchant traveller visited Sri Lanka in 13th century, have written about this historic mountain. In words of Marco Polo Sri Lanka is the “the finest island of its size in all the world”. However, what is truly unique about Adam's Peak are the religious connotations, for the mountain is the only place in the world that serves as a pilgrimage site for four different religions, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. Each religion has had a different interpretation of how the sacred footprint was placed on the mountain, however, regardless of religious beliefs, climbing up this tall mountain is guaranteed to be a fantastic experience for tourists. If you are lucky to be on top of Adam's Peak in a clear day with a powerful Binoculars, it is possible to see Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka located hundreds of kilometres away from mountain top.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of the south western jungles, Adam's Peak towers over the surrounding area because it stands over two thousand two hundred and forty three meters (2243m). There are over six trails leading up to Adam's Peak, each route is long but there are rest stops along the way to help tourists and locals making the pilgrimage, catch their breath, or admire the wonderful scenery. The pilgrimage takes several hours, but tourists will be able to enjoy spectacular views along the way, as they ascend higher up the mountain. Making the pilgrimage at night is spectacular for the paths are lit up with lanterns that shine in the dark skies, which one could see that as the path to heaven. Once you reach the peak of the mountain, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the surrounding green landscape, especially if you reach the peak at dawn which allows you to witness the sunrise from Eastern horizon over the Horton Plains (Great World's End Drop) that is another world famous tourist destination in Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura
If you want to know where to go in Sri Lanka to learn more about the country's culture and history, then there is no better place than to visit Anuradhapura, one of the oldest cities throughout the island. Anuradhapura is a bastion for Buddhist history and culture and remains a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists throughout the country as well worldwide. The city was once the capital of Sri Lanka and was a centre of rule for more than one hundred Sinhalese kings. Anuradhapura remained the centre of Sinhalese-Buddhist culture and has lasted for over one thousand years from 380 BC to 1000 AD.
Anuradhapura is teeming with monuments from the past and is the perfect place to visit, some of the largest structures such as the Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayagiri Dagoba, Jethawanaramaya Temple still stand today, as beautiful now as it was centuries ago. However, the Avukana Buddha is a jaw dropping sight for anyone who firsts lays eyes on it, standing at over thirteen meters tall and carved out of granite, the Avukana Buddha is a testimony to the accomplishments and capabilities of pre-colonial, for the statue was carved with such precision and accuracy, it is said that on rainy days, it is possible to see rain droplets that fall from the tip of the statue's nose and land in between the toes which indicates vertical accuracy of the statue. There are several ancient buildings and monuments to visit in Anuradhapura and each one has a story behind it, for example, the temple of Mihintale is where Thero Mihindu, first introduced Buddhism to the country. Tourists can also visit the Folk Museum to see illustrations and artefacts of nature of living culture during that era.
Jaffna
Jaffna was once the second most populated city, after Colombo, and the city is quickly rebuilding itself, with infrastructure restored and brand new buildings being established. Tourists who visit Jaffna will not find a more different city from Colombo, or the Southern areas. Jaffna has its own cuisine, distinct from the rest of Sri Lanka, but no less delectable. Some fantastic dishes to try are Jaffna prawn curry, squid curry, pittu cakes and brinjal. The city has plenty of Hindu temples, instead of Buddhist Stupa, along with grand Christian churches that date back as far as the 1800's. Some iconic places to see during your time in the city include the Nallur Kandaswamy temple, Elephant Pass, Jaffna Fort, Jaffna Public Library and the Keerimalai Hot springs.
Visit The Best Beaches In Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa And Tangelle
If you are wondering where to go in Sri Lanka to enjoy the best beaches, then visit Hikkaduwa. Located along the Southern coast, Hikkaduwa is always featured on a Sri Lanka travel guide due to its clean beaches with golden sand, and clear blue skies for most of the year. Hikkaduwa has been a sought after destination for tourists since the 1970's and still remains a popular spot for tourists to relax and enjoy themselves while absorbing the festive atmosphere of the beach. Hikkaduwa is perfectly primed for tourists due to the variety of hotels and restaurants that are already established along the coast line, making it easy for tourists to have their meals, while enjoying the soothing sound of waves crashing upon the beach. Hikkaduwa is also the perfect place to visit for a variety of marine time activities such as surfing, diving and even snorkelling, where tourists can see the rich coral reefs. However, the biggest draws to Hikkaduwa is the annual Hikkaduwa Beach Fest, which is a huge beach party that takes place during July and August. The party lasts for over three days and is the perfect place for foreigners and locals to mingle, while enjoying themselves.
Tangelle is located in the Southern Province, more specifically within the Hambantota district and is the perfect place for tourists who simply want to relax in the fine, white sandy beaches in the area. If you wish to learn how to surf then visit the Bandula Surf School, to capture the basics of surfing. However, if you prefer to explore some unique sights, then Tangelle has several places of interest:
- The Tangelle lagoon : Is a serene and beautiful piece of nature. Tourists can take a kayak ride along the extensive lagoon and explore untamed but quiet wilderness.
- Mulkirigala Rock Monastery : This secluded place is filled with paintings and different artefacts and exploring this place is guaranteed to be a breathtaking experience.
- Indika Art Gallery : A wonderful art gallery that captures the charm and splendour of the island, visit this gallery for some truly spectacular and unique art pieces by Indika Pathmananda.
The Best Places To Stay In Sri Lanka
While there are plenty of things to do in Sri Lanka, it is also important to find suitable places for accommodation. Both Colombo and Kandy boast some of the best places to stay, whether you are searching for high end luxury resorts or simpler accommodation, both cities have everything you need. Here is an overview of where to stay in Sri Lanka.
- Casa Colombo : This five star hotel provides a unique experience for it is located within a two hundred year old colonial mansion, but provides the latest facilities such as free Wi-Fi, boutique suites with décor from the best designers, along with private butlers. Tourists can engage in activities such as bike riding, or a tour of the city.
- The Tropic Inn : This hostel is located close to the bus and railway station, making it the perfect place for tourists to stop over when touring the country. The Tropic Inn offers some fantastic amenities such as free wireless internet, along with hot and cold water facilities.
- Amaya Hills Kandy : Located seven kilometres from Kandy, Amaya Hills is the perfect resort for tourists with its modern facilities and spectacular overview of the Heerassagala Forest. Tourists can embark on a number of activities, such as bird watching and night safaris or stay indoors to play billiards and squash. The resort has some truly outstanding facilities, such as air conditioned rooms and flat screen TV's.
- The Nature Walk : Located about 500 meters from the Tooth Relic, the Nature Walk is a hostel surrounded by nature and is perfect for tourists looking for peace and quite. Tourists will have a spectacular view of some iconic, natural sites such as the Knuckles Mountain Range from their balconies, along with some spectacular wildlife to admire.
These are just some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, for there are several historical monuments and cultural edifices that have not been mentioned, one of these places is the Sigriya rock, one of the most popular places in Sri Lanka and a UNESCO world heritage site. Tourists can climb this rocky plateau, which is located more than three hundred meters above sea level and will be treated to a breathtaking view of their surroundings. Tourists who are interested in historical sites should not miss to visit Polonnaruwa, one of the most important historical sites after Anuradhapura. However, those who prefer natural scenic environments, should visit some of the many waterfalls that are located throughout the country. Waterfalls such as Dunhinda Falls, Ravana Falls, Ramboda Falls, St. Clairs Falls, Bambarakanda Falls and Baker's Falls are just some of the places that you can visit. Tourists who prefer maritime activities can visit several different beaches throughout the country such as Bentota, Unawatuna, Kalutara, Galle, Trincomalee, Chilaw, Balapitiya, Induruwa, Uppuveli and Mirissa, where they can go surfing, swimming and even snorkelling. There are plenty of restaurants that provide fresh seafood cooked with unique Sri Lankan spices that are guaranteed to leave you satisfied.