Sandwiched between the bustling capital of Colombo and the thriving city of Kandy in Sri Lanka's central highlands, the attractive town of Kegalle serves as the main commercial centre of the Kegalle District and the gateway to the naturally beautiful central hill-country. The town offers panoramic views of the lush rolling hills, which are dotted with an array of unusual temples - many of which have been built around natural caves. Other popular attractions in the area include the exquisite Algama Falls, which feature lovely natural swimming pools; the gorgeous Wewaladeniya Viharaya temple, located in the middle of town; a number of beautiful spice plantations; and the nearby village of Molagoda, which is renowned for its traditional clay-based handcrafts.
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.
Due to its high altitude, the city of Bandarawela is blessed with a cooler, less humid climate than the rest of Sri Lanka. This pleasant climate makes it an ideal base for travellers touring the nation’s extraordinarily beautiful Hill Country. The city is far from a tourist trap and has a wonderfully authentic Sri Lankan feel and the atmosphere of a colourful, bustling market town. Bandarawela’s star attraction is undoubtedly the Dowa Temple. This remarkable 2000-year-old cave shrine is carved into solid rock and is adorned with Sri Lankan Buddhist murals and an extraordinarily ornate Buddha statue carved into the rock face. Not-to-be-missed attractions include the impressive Horton’s Plains National Park; the area’s numerous lovely tea plantations, many of which welcome visitors; and the picturesque landscapes of the famously beautiful surrounding Hill Country.
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 vibrant city of Ratnapura lies at the foot of Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) in south-central Sri Lanka. Translated as ‘the precious land’, the town is famous for its incredible wealth of precious stones, having produced three of the world’s largest blue sapphires as well as rubies, sapphires, cat’s eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines, spinels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, and zircons. Astonishing, brightly-coloured pieces can be seen at the local museums, and visitors can take guided tours of the mines. The area is also a top destination for nature lovers, lying close to the lush, UNESCO-listed Sinharaja Rain Forest and providing the best location from which to climb the mighty Adam’s Peak, which has spiritual significance for Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit some of the many exquisite, ancient Buddhist temples scattered around the city.
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.
