Listly by Auburn Silver
Sri Lanka, a tropical island nation located just south of the Indian peninsula, is popular tourist destination. Sri Lanka's tourism industry is gradually gaining popularity in Asia, and offers chains of luxury hotels and resorts such as the John Keells Group which also offers Sri Lanka holiday tours. Known for its rich history, vibrant culture, multi-ethnic society and awe-inspiring natural beauty, Sri Lanka has many cultural, leisure and exotic attractions and highlights which are exciting and intriguing.
One of the most popular historic and cultural landmarks of Sri Lanka is Sigiriya; a stunning ancient rock fortress. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya was the seat of government during the reign of King Kashyapa is 480BC. Known for its amazing architecture, stunning urban planning and breath-taking water, rock and boulder gardens, Sigiriya is visited by thousands of locals and tourists. One can witness the ruins of many palaces, bathing pools and other historic monuments at Sigiriya. Some of the highlights of Sigiriya include the Mirror Wall; which was polished to such perfection that it reflected anything in front of it, the Sigiriya Frescos; ancient larger-than-life size drawings of maidens on one face of the rock, and the Lion Gate; the entrance to this magnificent fortress.
Sri Lanka is blessed with many lush forests, which are home to many species of flora and fauna. One of the best places to witness the wildlife of Sri Lanka is the Yala National Park; the most visited national park of Sri Lanka. Spreading over a vast area of over 370,000 sq. miles, Yala National Park is home many fascinating creatures such as elephants, fishing cats, turtles, many species of snakes, the Sri Lankan sloth bear, wild water buffaloes, and many more. Yala National Park is also credited with having the highest leopard population concentration in the world. A tour to this park is sure to a wildlife experience that you will not forget.
The Cultural Triangle is a name given to the successive strongholds of the ancient Sri Lankan kings. Including the amazing historic and religious of architectural structures of Anudhapura and Polonnaruwa, the many ancient tanks, reservoirs and reservoirs of Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala, and the ancient palaces and religious monuments of Kandy, a tour through the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka is great way to discover the nation's rich history and culture, as well as Sri Lanka's prowess is architecture and engineering in the ancient times.
The beautiful coastal features of Sri Lanka have always been a major highlight, and the beaches of the southern part of Sri Lanka are most certainly a testament to that. The golden sandy beaches of the southern cities of Hikkaduwa, Induruwa and Unawatuna are known for their pristine nature and warm blue waters, making them ideal for spending hours outdoors. If you are looking to find accommodation in this part of the island consider staying at hotels belonging to the John Keells Group.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galle Fort is one of the historic landmarks of Sri Lanka which is now also a symbol of cultural significance. Built by the Dutch during the rule over Sri Lanka in the 17th Century, this fort is known for its ancient ramparts, traditional Dutch architectural structures, and many other historic and cultural attractions. The fort also houses a range of simple restaurants and shops, making it a great place to spend a day at.