6 Meaningful Ways to Experience Sri Lankan Culture - Immerse yourself in the cultural tapestry of the teardrop island

Sitting in the heart of Kandy—the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, fronting the scenic Kandy Lake, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is the most precious place of worship for all Buddhists in the country. White-clad devotees flock in droves to the picturesque temple every day, making their way to the golden-roofed house, where a tooth relic of the actual Lord Buddha himself rests in a golden casket.

Fallen victim to a 30-year civil war that ended in May 2009, the star-crossed cities in the North will make you feel a world away, even though they share the same land as the rest of the island. While it's completely safe to visit for tourists now, the effects of the dreadful tragedy have left this part of the country in an unfortunate state, where the locals hustle every day to make their lives as delightful as it once was.

The South Asian island nation of Sri Lanka has a rich history that it is very proud of and no place in the entire country can offer you a glimpse into its glorious past than the historic cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Countless ancient temples, ruins of royal palaces, and other old-world architecturally magnificent structures take you back in time to the bygone era of the charming country.

As you make your way up to the central hills of Sri Lanka, tropical nature starts to disappear and lush tea fields and rolling green hills begin to take the scenery, making you feel as if you are venturing off to the countryside of a British town. Monickered as "Little England", the hill country station of Nuwara Eliya is a quaint little town stuck in the British Colonial era, brimming with scenic beauty. The town is also home to some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka, including the likes offered by Aitken Spence Hotels.

Tourists yearning to experience the very essence of authentic Sri Lankan culture, fall off the grid and escape to a remote village, where the local lives are still stuck in the unurbanised, simple way of living life. As a country that's rapidly adopting a more or less western lifestyle, these rural villages treat you to a cultural experience like no other.

Last but not least, no Sri Lankan cultural experience is complete without sampling some of its mouthwatering traditional dishes. From homemade rice and curry to spicy streetside kottu and the milk rice that only comes to life during special occasions, ditch the cutlery and dig in using your hands like the locals do.