5 Cultural Places to Visit in Sri Lanka - For a well-rounded visit!

A bustling city that lies nestled in the middle of the rolling hills of Sri Lanka’s central province, Kandy is the administrative and religious municipality of the country. In 1988, Kandy was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it houses the Sri Dalada Maligawa also known as the Temple of Tooth Relic – which is the most sacred site of devotion in the Buddhist community. Other points of interest include visiting the Royal Botanical Garden Peradeniya, Kandy Lake, and the Kandy Garrison Cemetery.

Located in the northwestern province of Sri Lanka, Dambulla forms a part of the island’s famed Cultural Triangle. A bustling township, Dambulla is mostly famous for its incredible five temple caves that house exceptional works of art.  Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is reflective of Buddhist art, especially in the form of intricate murals and statues. Most operators of Sri Lanka cultural tours such as those provided by tour companies the likes of Walkers Tours tend to include visiting Dambulla as a day trip from other sites such as Sigiriya or Anuradhapura as the town tends to get quite congested with traffic.

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is a huge archaeological site spanning 122 hectares and is home to several notable artefacts and ruins from Sri Lanka’s antiquity. Some important Buddhist monuments and ruins include the Rock Temple, the Citadel of Polonnaruwa, The Sacred Quadrangle, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya and the Statue of Parakramabahu. Fun things to do during your visit to Polonnaruwa also include enjoying a picnic lunch on the banks of Parakrama Samudra, cycling through quaint villages and sampling the local cuisine of rice and curry.

Located near the town of Dambulla, the village of Sigiriya is characterised by an ancient rock fortress of archaeological and historical significance.  Also, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is considered to be the eighth wonder in the world. Things to do during your stay there include climbing the rock fortress, visiting the Sigiriya museum located at the base of the rock fortress, and hiking up Pidurangala Rock (which faces the Sigiriya Rock) on top of which you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the dense jungles below.

Perched on Sri Lanka’s idyllic southwest coast, Galle dons its rich colonial history on its sleeve. The city is famous for its iconic Galle Fort – a fortified walled city first founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later fortified by the Dutch. During your time in Galle, consider exploring the fort, taking in the beautiful beaches, catching some waves with your surfboard and sampling offerings of fresh seafood cuisine.