Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean blessed with golden beaches and emerald hills. The country boasts not only of its captivating beauty but also of its well-preserved remnants of a rich heritage. World-renowned for its hospitality, Sri Lanka has some of the best places that one can visit in a lifetime.
The true embodiment of island living, Bentota is where you should go to experience the tropical bliss of Sri Lanka. Its palm-fringed beaches are frequented by local and foreign tourists alike. The gorgeous blue waters invite people to indulge in a variety of water activities. You can even visit turtle conservation projects where you can visit these peaceful creatures in their natural habitat. For a taste of the olden days, you can take a stroll through a 17th century Dutch Fortress and ancient Buddhist temples that exude serenity.
Encompassing most of the ancient ruins in the country, Anuradhapura was once the flourishing capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the eight world heritage sites of the country. When visiting Anuradhapura, one must not forget to visit the eight great places of worship, including the famous 'Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya' and 'Ruwanweliseya.'
Wilpattu is the largest national park of Sri Lanka. One can observe a lone eagle or a party of hornbills lounging on the branches of a tree during a guided safari tour. Lucky tourists will get to spot the Sri Lankan Leopard, which is a rare occurrence. Common sightings are the samba deer, wild boar and the sloth bear.
A little town nestled on the south coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is more famous as a whale-watching destination. Tourists seek out the small treasure trove for its pristine beaches and nightlife. It is also the largest fishing port in the South. Mirissa's coconut tree spot conjures a picture-perfect backdrop during the sunset making it an ideal location for taking photographs.
The commercial capital of Sri Lanka has a wide variety of attractions to offer its visitors. Galle Face Green is quite the bustling area during evenings when it gets filled with vendors and people who have come to enjoy the evening. Another famous attraction is the Gangaramaya Temple, where one gets spellbound with its modern architecture blended with the cultural essence of the country.
One of the most scenic cities of Sri Lanka, Kandy is also home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. It is famous for its annual procession which involves taking the sacred tooth relic around the city along with a vibrant display of the country's unique customs and traditional dances. Many tourists around the world make it a point to visit Kandy during between June and August to witness the lavishly dressed tusker carrying the sacred tooth relic.
The most famous attraction of Galle is its 17th-century fort built by the Dutch Colonists of Sri Lanka. Other attractions include the natural harbour, the National Maritime Museum and the St. Mary's cathedral.
Apart from being a famous pilgrimage site of Sri Lanka, Kataragama is known for its scenic views. One can take a refreshing walk along the banks of the Tissa Lake after exploring attractions such as Ranminithenna Tele-Cinema Village and the Kataragama museum.
Located in the Central province of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya Citadel Rock is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. King Kashyapa has built his palace at the top of the rock and decorated its sides with frescoes. Blended into the surrounding nature, its unique design and planning never cease to amaze the modern architect.
Being one of the famous holiday getaways in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya is frequented by most for its cold climate and the picturesque environment. This fascinating city comes alive during April when different festivities are held around the Lake Gregory to celebrate the dawn of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year of Sri Lanka. Hotels can be found for accommodation purposes. One such example is Heritance Hotels Sri Lanka.
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