Joanna James
Sri Lanka is an amazing place with incredible attractions at every turn. Here are some of the most visited places and ones you ought to visit to fully experience what the island has in store for you.
One of the holiest sites in the land is the Temple of the Tooth, in the last independent Kingdom of Sri Lanka, Kandy. The sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha is placed in a casket of pure gold with seven layers to protect it. Many devotees flock here, day and night to pay their respects to the Buddha. The temple is adorned with incredible artwork and architecture of the Kandyan Period. You will also encounter the King's Palace and the audience hall of the ancient Kandyan Kings of Sri Lanka.
The first historical kingdom of Sri Lanka, dating to the 4th century BCE, is a veritable hoard of ancient ruins, magnificent stupas, vast irrigation tanks, libraries, ponds, monasteries, hospitals, and more. Discover what the ancient Sinhalese civilization was all about here, where you can rent a bicycle and scour this fascinating city.
Wilpattu is just 30 km from the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. The park's notable features are the naturally created watering holes called 'willus'. These willus scattered around the park grounds are a thriving ecosystem for its wildlife like leopards, water buffalos, elephants, sloth bears and sambhur.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a landmark in Sri Lankan history, betrayal and technological marvels. This staggering rock transformed into the kingdom's capital under the usurper, King Kashyapa. Having committed patricide, he moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya and built this fortress. At its summit, you can find the palace remains, the throne and water pools. The magnificent view of the surrounding thick jungles is incredible, while the palace grounds have beautiful water gardens, frescoes, rocky pools and much more.
On the eastern coast north of Trincomalee is the sleepy little village of Uppuveli. Off the tourist trail, it is among the best-hidden gems on the island. It lies close to the one-time terrorist warzone and has been off-limits for the public for decades. The beach is slowly gaining popularity as a centre for diving and whale-watching.
The temple is 11 km from Pottuvil and situated on the northern boundary of the Lahugala National Park, where many wild animals like elephants, deer, bears and leopards make their home. This ancient temple commemorates the marriage of two important personages in Sri Lankan history, King Kavantissa and Princess Viharamahadevi. Its grounds extend over 10,000 acres, with many ruins of ponds, moonstones, monasteries and stupas.
A 20-minute drive away from Sigiriya is the Dambulla Rock Cave Temple. It is the most extensive cave temple complex in Sri Lanka and was built on a rock 160 meters in height. There are over 80 caves within the temple grounds, but only five remain open for visitors. Inside, you will find some of the most beautiful frescoes and statues of the Lord Buddha on the island. For top-notch accommodation deals in and around Dambulla, check out the likes of Excellent Hotel Deals.
The last virgin rainforest of Sri Lanka is a thriving environment for many native species of the island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve, it lies between the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces of Sri Lanka. Sinharaja is a haven for many animals like the Sri Lankan leopard, the red slender loris, the purple-faced langur, the rusty spotted cat, and more!
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.
