Joanna James
The beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is home to a host of natural and cultural attractions. Amongst these are a number of World Heritage Sites that are sure to interest intrepid travellers.
Nature lovers will be captivated by the lush Sinharaja Rainforest which is regarded as one of the nation's World Heritage Sites. Additionally, this forest has been named as a World Biosphere Reserve which highlights its intrinsic value to Sri Lanka and the world at large. Sinharaja is considered to be Sri Lanka's sole remaining rainforest of its kind whilst also being counted amongst the small number of virgin forest lands to remain in the world. Sinharaja Forest is renowned for its rich biodiversity and verdant green canopy which are two of its outstanding characteristics. Visitors will find that a considerable proportion of the trees in this forest are endemic as well as rare.
The coastal town of Galle has been acclaimed as a World Heritage Site and offers a host of interesting sightseeing attractions for the visitor. You will see that Galle presents an engrossing sight for the visitor with its splendid fortifications and charming atmosphere. The distinctive Galle Fort is a construction that dates to the Dutch colonial period and creates an intriguing sight boasting sturdy ramparts and other features of interest. Visitors will find that the handsome Fort, as well as the various interesting buildings to be found within Galle town, will capture the imagination of the discerning sightseer. A highlight at Galle is the Dutch Reformed Church which is a striking place of worship.
The entrancing city of Anuradhapura is a captivating World Heritage Site that is sure to appeal to the curious sightseer. Anuradhapura has the distinction of having served as Sri Lanka's initial capital and boasted many magnificent creations in its heydey many centuries ago. Even today you will find a host of fascinating ruins and renovated structures within this city that will capture the interest of the inquisitive visitor. Anuradhapura is renowned for its splendid temple compounds such as those of Abhayagiri, Jethawanaramaya and Maha Vihara. Another cultural attraction in Anuradhapura is the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree which is sacred to Buddhists.
The sacred city of Kandy is located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The city has the distinction of having been the last independent region to evade the conquest of the British colonialists before finally succumbing to them in 1818. Kandy is regarded as a local cultural hub with many features of interest that reflect the rich cultural traditions of Sri Lanka. Taking pride of place in Kandy is the greatly revered Temple of the Tooth which is regarded as one of the most sacred sites for the local Buddhists, housing a greatly venerated tooth relic of the Buddha. When it comes to Sri Lanka cultural tours that will take you to Kandy and other attractions in the nation a choice that you could consider would be Walkers Tours.
No tour of the World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka would be complete without visiting the remarkable Sigiriya complex. This splendid royal compound has been constructed atop and around the eye-catching Sigiriya rock which is an immense boulder that will capture the eye of the visitor. In its heydey there existed a lavish palace on the top of the rock as well as beautiful water gardens around its base, constructed by the renegade King Kasyapa. Even today the Sigiriya complex is a fascinating cultural attraction with many features of interest for the sightseer.
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