05 Beautiful World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka – Small Island of Big Surprises

Home to the last king of Sri Lanka, Kandy was the seat of Sinhala kings from 1592 to 1815. The place is also home to the Dalda Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth Relic as this shrine houses a vessel containing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It was believed that whoever possessed the relic would rule over the nation and was always in the possession of a monarch until it came to rest within the temple. Kandy was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the temple being a main attraction.

When it comes to a culture trip, Sri Lanka has much to offer especially at places like Sigiriya, a sleepy village home to scrub jungles and free-roaming wild elephants. But the most iconic attraction there is the Lion Rock Fortress constructed as a citadel and impenetrable stronghold by King Kasyapa in the 5th century. Built on a monolithic boulder rising from the forest floor, the kingdom is a testimony to the might of Sri Lankan kings and also reflects Kasyapa's constant fear of being attacked by his brother the rightful heir to the throne. The citadel boasts an irrigation system far excellent for the times, manicured gardens at the summit of the rock, world-famous frescos and much more. Sigiriya was declared a heritage site in 1982 and is included in cultural tour itineraries offered by travel specialists the likes of Holidays by Design.

Located within the north-central region of the island, Anuradhapura was the first established kingdom and capital of Sri Lanka. Home to King Vijaya the islands first monarch, Anuradhapura was also where Buddhism was born in Sri Lanka under the rule of King Devanampiyatissa. Hence, the place is rife with ancient palaces, meditation gardens, monasteries and of course, the Sri Maha Bodhi, the world's oldest recorded tree, believed to be a sapling of the very tree the Buddha attained Nirvana under. In 1982, the much-visited pilgrimage town of Anuradhapura was deemed a World Heritage Site.

Located 130kms from Colombo on the south coast, the beautiful town of Galle famous for its natural harbour was a colonial stronghold from the time the Portuguese discovered the place in the 1500's. There they established a fort, which was fortified by the Dutch and lastly owned by British colonists. The Old Dutch Fort is Galle's iconic attraction which still retains all its vintage splendour, from cobblestone streets to the original Dutch villas located within the gargantuan walls of the fort. The entire fort was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Right after the fall of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa was established as the capital. The place boasts some of the best-preserved artefacts on the island from Buddha statues to temples and huge tanks built by ancient kings. Brahmanic constructions and remains of Chola civilizations are part of the remains found in Polonnaruwa dating back to the 12th century. The place has been a world heritage site since 1982.