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.
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.
This bustling, fishing town on the west coast of Sri Lanka (and close to the Bandaranaika International Airport), had a rather turbulent colonial history involving the Dutch, Portuguese and British due to the cinnamon trade. In fact, the wild cinnamon that grew in the region was described as ‘the very best in the universe as well as the most abundant’. The remnants of this colonial period remain with the strong Catholic Church influence in the town. The Negombo Lagoon and the many canals offer superb birdwatching, the town’s Old Quarter is worth a visit, and the community is friendly and welcoming.
