Colombo, a commercial and tourist hub on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The vibrant canal city boasts golden beaches and a photogenic promenade, gorgeous temples, and chic restaurants among impressive skyscrapers. Must-see attractions include the grand and atmospheric Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, and Hindu Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, known for its exquisite interiors. A historic Dutch quarter beckons to be explored - the Dutch Hospital and Dutch Period museum are quite fascinating, and the artisan colonnaded craft stores lend a special air to the area. Nature lovers will enjoy walking through the beautiful Talangama Wetland which fringes the city or taking a short break from the city bustle in the Viharamahadevi Park, known for its delightful flowering trees and local snake charmers.
Yala, Sri Lanka, is a picturesque region located in the southeast corner of the island nation. This beautiful area boasts stunning landscapes, majestic wildlife, and extraordinary cultural attractions. One of the must-visit destinations in Yala is Buduruwagala, a fascinating complex of ancient Buddhist rock carvings that date back to the 8th century. Visitors can marvel at the intricate details and impressive size of the sculptures, which include a towering 51-foot-high image of the Buddha. For nature lovers, Yala National Park is the island's undisputed centrepiece, with a leopard density that's reportedly higher than anywhere else on this planet and a varied landscape from dense forests to moist wetlands. For the spiritually inclined, Kebiliththa in Block 4 of the Yala National Park is a place considered highly sacred by Buddhists and Hindus alike, who flock here to meditate.
Bright green hills, thick dark forests, farmlands, and traditional homes characterise the landscapes of Dickoya. This photogenic little town lies in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka’s Central Province and is known for its fertile tea plantations, spectacular views, and charming historic churches. Delve into the colonial and religious past by stopping in at the 18th-century Christ Church, which features gorgeous stained glass windows and contains a well-preserved bible dating from 1878. The church is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the country. Warleigh Church, with its serene atmosphere, pipe organ, and antique furniture, is also worth a visit. Attractions nearby include the magnificent St. Clair Major Falls and Devon Falls, and the Castlereigh Reservoir, decorated with wonderful hiking trails and lookout points.
The second major city in Sri Lanka (the other being Colombo) lies at the centre of the Kandy Plateau, an area of beautiful tropical tea plantations. A magnificent must-see feature of the area is Kandy Lake, to the north of which lies the golden-roofed Temple of The Tooth (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important place for Buddhist worship, as it is said to house a tooth relic of Buddha). Other fascinating places to visit include the Ceylon Tea Museum, the Buddhist Publication Society, the Ayurvedic centre in the Amaya Hills nearby, the Kandyan Art Association and Cultural Centre, where craftspeople can be seen at work, and the Kandy Muslim Hotel, which offers the finest spiced curries served with naan or Rotis.
Situated in the northern Matale District of Sri Lanka, the small village of Sigiriya is best known for its proximity to the magnificent Sigiriya ‘Lion Rock’. The village offers some comfortable accommodations and a variety of restaurants for visitors to enjoy when stopping over to view the famous rock. This ancient rock fortress rises abruptly from the lush landscape and reaches over 200 metres in height. Crowning this massive outcrop are the ruins of an ancient civilisation, which are considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning and have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can walk through the lily-dotted moats, lush gardens and cave shrines, through the grand lion-paw entrance, and climb the series of steep staircases passing beautiful murals painted on the sheer rock walls, and enjoy exploring the ruins and soaking up spectacular views of the surrounds.
Situated about 250km to the north east of the capital Colombo, the major resort and port city Trincomalee has one of the finest natural deep-water harbours in the world. The beaches of Nilaveli, Uppaveli and the off-shore Pigeon Island are major attractions, and in recent years, whale watching has become a popular pastime for visitors and locals alike. Dive centres allow for diving and snorkelling, and plenty of swimming. Visit the Trincomalee District, also known as Gokanna, to see a multitude of ancient Buddhist temple ruins, now major archeological sites. About eight kilometres out of the city are the hot springs at Kanniyai that draw regular crowds for their therapeutic value.
The capital of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, Anuradhapura is an impressive major city set on the banks of the Malvathu River. This is an important heritage area, recognised by UNESCO. The city developed around the sacred, third-century ‘tree of enlightenment, Sri Maha Bodhi, said to be the oldest tree on earth, looked after for 2000 years. A massive collection of ancient ruins encompasses monasteries, palaces, and other monuments, and is surrounded by beautiful green jungle. Numerous sites are still used for religious ceremonies today. Must-sees include the massive Abhayagiri Dagoba, (‘Hill of Protection’), the stunning Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, guarded by the statues of 344 elephants; and the Jetavanarama Dagoba, which was, at the time of construction, the third-largest building in the world (after the two pyramids), and was the site of one of the first Buddhist sermons.
