Caliope Sage
Sri Lanka is a land of colorful sights and sounds where there is much to do as a tourist. Steeped in rich history and cultural diversity, Sri Lanka offers a wide variety of activities for the curious traveler.
Sri Lanka's metropolis is the closest to the international airport where there are a number of interesting sites to see. The Gangaramaya Temple, Galle Face, Viharamadevi Park, The Dutch hospital are some of the key places to visit. Hotels in Sri Lanka are spread out across the country so you can always start off in Colombo and make arrangements for lodging at the other towns and cities you wish to see.
This temple holds the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Located in Kandy at the heart of the town the Temple of the Tooth relic is where one could witness the numerous Buddhist rituals. In Kandy there are other hot spots to look at, for instance, The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, The University of Peradeniya and the War Cemetery. The Secret Hotels is worth checking out as an accommodation option for those visiting Kandy.
An ancient Sinhalese Kingdom, Anuradhapura is a historical marvel. The remains excavated in Anuradhapura take you back to a time when the Sinhalese monarchy was in power. Since Buddhism was the foundation for the Anuradhapura civilization the kings dedicated their time and energy into building massive Stupas and Buddha statues.
Sigiriya was a rock fortress built by King Kasyapa around 400CE. The rock was transformed into a royal palace including several extensive gardens, rock pools and water fountains. Make sure you see the Sigiriya frescoes; they represent the art form of the ancient times and reveal the nature of the women who dwelled in the palace.
Yet another historical site Pollonnaruwa was an ancient kingdom that specialized in irrigation technology. The water tanks and lakes continue to nourish the paddy land in the area. Pollonnaruwa was also multicultural so Hindu temples and Buddhist temples were both part of the religious atmosphere at the time.
Arugambay in the East Coast is one among the string of amazing sapphire beaches in the island. It is primarily a surfing destination because the speed of the waves and the direction of the wind make it suitable for the sport. Surfing is not the only thing to look forward to in the East Coast, the seafood is simply amazing.
World's End is a popular national park where you can roam freely through the trails in the mountains. Usually this trip will take the duration of three hours to complete. The best view of World's End is around 7 in the morning, at other times mist covers the mountains and visibility is at its lowest. The flora and fauna in the area are something to look forward to. Trekking up to the edge of the cliff which is the World's End point can be quite strenuous so it is best that you are equipped with comfortable shoes suitable for hiking.
Galle is in the Southern district in Sri Lanka. Galle is a coastal town that was once controlled by Dutch naval forces. It is famous for the fort that was built by the Dutch in 1663. At present what remains in this part of the country are the impressive fort structure and a group of other Dutch colonial buildings. The cafes and restaurants near the Dutch fort are great venues for eating out while watching the ocean.
Jaffna was the focal point of the ethnic conflict that ended in 2009. The town has recovered to a certain extent since then and it has now become a place you must see when you come to the country. Since it is a long drive from Colombo, you can visit Jaffna via train. Predominantly a Tamil populated zone here you can experience the Tamil culture and participate in Hindu practices. The Nallur Kovil, Royal Palace and the Jaffna Public Library should be among the list of spots to explore.
The wildlife safari in Yala provides a great opportunity to observe the various animals that live in this tropical island. The Sri Lankan leopard, Elephants, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer and Peacocks are the top favorites. Best to visit the national park in the early morning before sunrise because most animals are out and about at that time.
