Joanna James
Sri Lanka is not short of scenic beauty wherever you go, but these top 10 places will surely give you something to talk about once you get back.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical country with many places to see, but a visit to the spectacular hill country with its cool climate and lush greenery comes first on any nature lover's priority list. It's a wonder to see the misty mountain ranges covered in green carpets and complemented with mesmerizing waterfalls running down from the top of the hills.
The long, relaxed nature trek along the Horton Plains plateau will be awarded a stunning view when the path comes to a sudden end at the World's End, taking you by surprise. It is better to start the hike early in the morning, as the mist will gather soon obscuring the view.
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is the largest remaining primary rainforest in Sri Lanka. It is rich in biodiversity and is home to many endemic plant and animal species, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the animal species, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles are the most prevalent types.
The Adam's Peak, widely known as 'Sri Pada' or 'Samanala Kanda' among the locals is a more than 2000m tall mountain peak in the southern hillside of Sri Lanka. This is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in the country given the notion of having the footprint of Lord Buddha placed on top of the mountain.
The Sigiriya Fortress built by King Kashyapa on a solitary rock is an astounding creation showing the excellence of architecture and engineering technology in ancient Sri Lanka. The irrigation system that carried water up to the fortress manages to put the latest technologies to shame. The famous 'Sigiriya Frescos' and the 'Ketapath Pavura' are not to be missed.
One of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka is the Yala National Park, spanning over 1260 square kilometres across the southern and Uva provinces. Only one-fifth of this area is open to visitors, the rest being strictly a Natural Reserve. Yala Jeep Safari's give a chance to spot rare species like the Sri Lankan Leopard, Sloth Bear, and Wild Boar as well as the Wild Elephants.
The beautiful Kandy city amidst the mountains of central highland holds a great historic value being the last kingdom of the Sri Lankan reign. It is also home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, which is iconic to the followers of the Buddhist religion.
Arugam Bay has one of the best surfing spots in the country with a beautiful unspoiled stretch of soft sand beach.
Galle is also a historically important town in the southern coastal belt with some of the best beaches in the country, easily accessible via the southern expressway. For travelling within Sri Lanka, car rental services are very useful and affordable with a number of reputed reliable service providers such as Malkey Rent a Car.
Mirissa is well known among tourists as a beautiful and less crowded beach in the southern area. It is also a great spot for dolphin and whale watching during the season.
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