Joanna James
Made any travel plans for this year yet? If you haven't picked out a destination as yet, then read on and let this article convince you that Sri Lanka is definitely where you should be headed this year! Here's a list of the best places to visit.
Let's begin our list from the northernmost part of Sri Lanka which is Jaffna. This is one of the hottest and driest places on the island. But, since Jaffna suffered from 30 years of war in the country, the place was long forgotten, thus it is untainted by urbanisation. The place is slowly developing now, but the local conservative culture is still quite strong. The majority of people living here are Tamils and most of them are Hindu devotees. Therefore, Jaffna is a place of colourful Hindu temples as well. The fort here is a symbol of history that has managed to survive the war. You can also visit the terrorist bunkers if you dare!
Next, we come to the west, Colombo! This is the bustling metropolis of the island and is a wonderful place to visit. From high-rise buildings to malls and cinemas, this city has it all. There are a few hidden religious sites as well that you can visit. The city was once the centre of trade during British rule, and remnants of that time are still standing today. There are a few parks to stroll about and people-watch and several restaurants for a fine dining experience. Hotel chains like Uga have city residences that are available for a wonderful city stay.
Towards the east of the island is the place known as The City of Temples in Sri Lanka, Trincomalee. This is a city that was once famous for its harbour. There are several temples here that are devoted to Hindu gods and each of them is very unique. Konesvaram Temple located on a cliff by the ocean is the most famous one. The place is also popular for fishing and friendly locals too.
Moving towards the centre of the country, the terrain becomes quite hilly and the climate changes to a very cool one. The greens are lusher than ever and the sleepy mountains always seem to be covered with mist. There is the most loved tourist destination in the hills. Tea is cultivated here, so, you can perhaps visit the tea estates and learn the process that takes place. Also, if you are the adventurous type, then you can arrange for hikes to mountain tops and even visit a number of waterfalls.
Last but not least is the south of Sri Lanka and the most famed city is Galle. This could arguably be the place with the greatest number of luxury hotels in Sri Lanka. The attraction that stands out here is magnificent Galle Fort which has been around since the time of the British rule. Also, the Dutch Hospital which has now been turned into a place where locals sell souvenirs is absolutely stunning.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
