TOURIST SPOTS

Sacred Kingdom of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura in the northern centre of Sri Lanka is where a sampling of the Bhodi tree of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, was planted. The Sri Maha Bodhiya is the oldest documented tree that is still living. The city also has palaces, monasteries and monuments (all in ruins) that are fascinating to visit.

The ancient city is full of these iconic buildings, remnants of a people from a bygone era that flourished under the rule of their kings and queens. Walking amongst these ruins is a real treat, as you learn about their ways of life. The buildings were beautifully built by craftsman and adorned by artists. Historians believe that from around 4th century BC to the 11th century AD, Anuradhapura was the capital Sinhalese and a thriving economic hub in South Asia. Although Anuradhapura’s history is easily traced from the 4th century BC, excavations have been able to identify artefacts from the Iron Age which easily dates back to 900 BC. It is believed that from those times the community grew and flourished to become one of South Asia’s grandest kingdoms.

Sacred Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa, A World Heritage Site, became the second capital of Sri Lanka in 1070 A.D. It comprises the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, and the ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by king Parakramabahu I during the golden age of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century. Polonnaruwa is a repository of outstanding ruins, frescoes and enormous statues of reclining Buddhas. The ruins of the Royal Palace, Gal Viharaya, the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu’s statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake are some of the sites of interest. Irrigation systems constructed during this era supply water till today for paddy cultivation during the dry season.

The ruins of the old city are on the shores of Lake Thopawewa, man-made during the reign of a twelth century king—a huge task, considering it was accomplished with nothing but manual labor. What remains of the ancient city itself is a cluster of palaces and temples contained within a rectangular city wall. The foundations of the royal palace and the king’s audience hall are particularly wellpreserved.

An outstanding site in Polonnaruwa is the Galviharaya, also known as the Cave of the Spirits of Knowledge. It is an outdoor rock wall where giant standing and reclining sculptures of the Buddha were carved out of the living rock.

Sigiriya

Called by many names including
initial name of “Sinhagiri”
“The Lion Rock”
Sigiriya is near the town of Dambulla and is a colossal column of rock nearly 200m high. It was a royal citadel for 18 years (477-495) when it was fortified by King Kasyapa. The architectural and irrigational technologies of Sigiriya, such as the Water Gardens, still baffle engineers. The climb up steep steps of metal with railings passes a wall decorated with frescoes of bare-breasted women. Art experts consider them unique.

The summit of the rock is a hectare in area and the outer wall of the palace was constructed on the brink of the rock with gardens and ponds softening the harshness of the eerie. Since it was constructed over 1,500 years ago, it is claimed by enthusiast as the Eighth Wonder of the World and is anyway a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

King Kasyapa selected the rock as the capital for his kingdom due to its strategic point when fending off invaders. A gateway in the form of an enormous lion was built and thus gave it the name Lion’s Rock. However after the death of the king the capital and kingdom were abandoned by its people and it served as a Buddhist monastary until the 14th century.

Kandy

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and once the capital of the Sinhala kingdom, Kandy is considered the religious capital of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Situated 115km from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level, it is the last royal capital of Sri Lanka which has now become a major tourist destination. Facing the tranquil Kandy Lake is the ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’, known as the “Temple of the Tooth Relic”, the main attraction of the city. Built in the 16th century it enshrines the golden casket carrying the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka from India in the 4th century. Behind it is the royal palace complex and some these historical buildings have been converted into museums depicting the exhibits of the royal Kandyan era.

The best time to visit Kandy is the month of July/August when the city takes on an air of festivity. Both foreign tourists and Sri Lankan families flock to Kandy to view the annual festival known as the “Esala Maha Perahera” at which the golden casket containing the tooth relic parades the streets of the city in royal procession. The final night procession is the most spectacular event of the country and is viewed by thousands each year. The procession includes 75 or more caparisoned elephants, traditional dancers and drummers, flag bearers and chieftains, all dressed in glamorous traditional costumes in all their splendor.

Old Town and Fortress of Galle

Galle, the business center of the South of Sri Lanka situated along the south western coast of Sri Lanka rose to prominence with colonial rulers realizing its importance as a commercial port. Under Portuguese rule (1507-1640) it became Sri Lanka’s chief port, the capital of Sri Lanka under the Dutch (1640-56) and developed as a commercial hub until the British constructed a modern harbour in Colombo in 1885.

Due to its historical importance, it has been named A UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands today as the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia. The Fort borders the beautiful beach and the old buildings stand as monuments to a combination of European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. Other prominent landmarks in Galle include St. Mary’s Cathedral founded by Jesuit priests. Galle has always remained an educational site for school children visiting in groups and research scientists.

You can spend hours exploring the famous Dutch fort, go shopping at one of the oldest markets of Sri Lanka and even the modern shopping complexes. What’s more – you can also enjoy the feeling of “the good old times” at one of the colonial-style hotels and restaurants

Singharaja Rain Forest

The Sinharaja Forest reserve, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the last remaining primary tropical rainforest in the wet zone of Sri Lanka which the country can boast of. It spans over an area of 11,250 hectares of forest land. The elevation of the forest expands from 90 to 1170 meters from sea level, presenting a large diversity of plant and animal species. More than 60% of vegetation is endemic and many are considered rare.

There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds. This forest reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, several species of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians. However, one cannot observe wildlife easily due to the dense vegetation. Commonly sighted animals include the giant squirrel, dusky-stripped jungle squirrel, purple-faced monkey and torque macaque. The red-faced malkoha, green-billed caucal, blue magpie and Sri Lankan spur fowl are some of the endemic birds seen within this forest reserve. There are no elephants and one is really fortunate if one can sight one of the 15 or so leopards that live within the reserve. Of Sri Lanka’s 26 endemic birds, 20 rainforest species can all be seen here. A variety of wild orchids abound in it.

This ecological importance of the Sinharaja Forest has led the UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Wilderness Area, prompting the world community to preserve this wonderful gift from nature.

Nuwara Eliya

Comprising the Knuckles Conservation Forest, Horton Plains National Park and the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, this region of mountains rising 2,500m above the sea level is considered a bio diversity hot spot. It has a remarkable range of flora and fauna providing a habitat for an exceptional range of endemic species.

Horton Plains – Officially declared a National Park in 1988, Horton Plains in the hill country 32km by road from Nuwara Eliya, stretches 3,000ha across the highlands to plunge at World’s End. The Park receives rainfall from both northeast and southwest monsoons as well as inter-monsoonal rains; three main rivers namely Kelani, Walawe and Mahaweli, the longest river of the country, begin in this area.

The plains are popular for trekking and rich in biodiversity with much of the flora and fauna found in the Park being endemic and only found there. Forests are dominated by a range of giant tree ferns and the Park is also famous for flowers and there is wild life aplenty such as leopard, sambhur and wild boar. Though this is a cold highland plateau the bird diversity is very high.

Knuckles Mountain Range – Soaring across 155 square kilometres, containing five of the country’s largest forest formations, the Knuckles Mountain Range features breath taking mountain scenery and rewarding trekking.

Yala National Park

Yala National Park covers an area of 979km², although only 141km² are open to the public. It is at a distance of 309km along the coastline south of Colombo, on the southeast of the island. One can reach the Park passing through the town of Tissamaharama in Hambantota District of the Southern Province.

While much of the reserve is parkland, it contains jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes, lagoons, rivers and scrubland. This varying habitat gives rise to a wide diversity of wildlife. Yala is a marvelous place to watch elephants in their natural habitat and probably has the world’s highest density of leopards. Sloth bears, jackals, mongoose, pangolin (scaly anteater), crocodile, wild boar, deer, water buffalo, gray langur and wild peacocks can all be seen.

Animals have an abundance of water supply from waterholes, streams, small lakes and lagoons. The national park is divided into Yala West, called ‘Ruhuna’ and Yala East. Ruhuna National Park is recognized to be the best park in the world to observe and photograph leopards.

It takes you at least three days to see the entire park. Yet it is possible to take a day’s jeep-safari trip through the park. The park is usually closed relatively late around 7.00 pm and, therefore, the chance to come across one of the leopards is quite high. Tourists guides know very well the tracks frequented by the leopards. .It is noted that the Yala National Park is closed in September and October.

Udawalawe National Park

Situated 170 km southeast of Colombo, the Uda Walawe National Park which is a wildlife reserve covers an area of approximately 30,821 hectares in the dry zone where the long dry season is characteristic feature. This park lies within the Ratnapura and Moneragala districts. In the centre of the park is the great Uda Walawe reservoir. This Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable species of trees especially teak. The grasslands make it an open habitat.

This popular reserve is inhabited by more than 400 wild elephants. The open habitat makes is easy for visitors to view these elephants at close range. There are leopards, spotted deer, sambhur, wild boars, gray langurs, Toque Monkeys, golden jackals, water buffaloes and crocodiles and 30 varieties of snakes. The open parkland attracts birds of prey. Uda Walawe National Park includes a wide diversity of bird life.

Nature lovers and sight seers generally travel through the park in jeeps which are the most convenient form of commuting within the park. There are also popularly arranged elephant safaris for visitors.

A number of guest houses are available around the area for those who wish to spend a few days and view the various elephant herds and other animals. The slow flowing river lined with large shady trees make the park ever more attractive.

Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattu National Park is located in the north west of the dry zone of the island with a long coastal boundary. It is approximately 180 km north of Colombo. Wilpattu is reputed to have the highest density of leopards in the world. The park is also home to elephants, spotted deer, boars and mongooses. The jungle fowl, the national bird of Sri Lanka, and many species of owls, gulls, eagles are also found in the Park.

The Park is also inhabited by mugger crocodiles, common cobras, Indian pythons and soft shelled turtles. During the rains of the northeast monsoons from December to February and the subsequent inter-monsoonal rains, the 60 lakes and tanks in the Park attract wildlife while flora and fauna thrive in the lush climate. Only a quarter of the Park is open to visitors; the rest is covered in dense forest.

Bentota Beach

Bentota, 62km south of Colombo, is a planned tourist development. It has a long broad sandy beach, at its best during the October to April holiday season, with safe swimming – although red warning flags fly when currents are too strong. There are some fine beachside hotels, which also have swimming pools, as well as guest houses to suit all budgets close to the carefully planned developed area.

All the services a visitor requires (banks, post office, tourist shops, restaurants, a railway station) are available and the area has an atmosphere of respectability. Guests have evening entertainment in the beachside hotels and there is plenty to see on day tours from the area, such as cruising on the Bentota river, visiting the two private gardens of Brief and Lunuganga, or indulging in water sports since Bentota has a reputation as being the water sports capital of Sri Lanka.

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna has over long years been a tourist’s delight. It is a beautiful and serene beach resort just 5 km south of Galle. The tourism industry took great pains to restore Unawatuna to its former glory having suffered heavily in the 2004 Tsunami. Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and shops were rebuilt quickly and the place is frequented with tourists once again.

Unawatuna is around ten minutes drive from the city of Galle along the southern coastal road. The Unawatuna beach is protected by coral reefs and the waters make it an ideal and safe place for swimming, wreck and reef diving and surfing. It also provides for nature lovers through eco tourism where one can explore the rich biodiversity especially large numbers of endemic bird species in the Rumassala hillock.

Arugam Bay

Travelling south along the east coast of Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is the last town one comes across south east of the island. It is one of the ten most popular surfing spots in the world and is found on one of the most beautiful tropical coasts in the world.

Unlike other busy coastal towns frequented by tourists, Arugam Bay will offer you with a remote rural life and a quiet atmosphere. The village of Arugam Bay is 5 km south of Pottuvil and on the edge of Yala East National Park. Inner to this coastal village one finds a stretch of a `jungle.

Wild elephants roam the coastal plain and the small Lahugala National Park is found about 16km inland. Lahugala has been an elephant viewing site for years, in large herds. Also for bird lovers, it is a place where birdlife abounds in the wetlands.

Therefore, Arugam Bay is a place for surfers, water sports lovers and wildlife viewers. A number of reasonably priced hotels and guest houses are available along the coast that suffered immensely due to the tsunami. The location is open to tourists throughout the year. The best time of the year for surf is between May and November.

Kalpitiya Beach

Unawatuna has over long years been a tourist’s delight. It is a beautiful and serene beach resort just 5 km south of Galle. The tourism industry took great pains to restore Unawatuna to its former glory having suffered heavily in the 2004 Tsunami. Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and shops were rebuilt quickly and the place is frequented with tourists once again.

Unawatuna is around ten minutes drive from the city of Galle along the southern coastal road. The Unawatuna beach is protected by coral reefs and the waters make it an ideal and safe place for swimming, wreck and reef diving and surfing. It also provides for nature lovers through eco tourism where one can explore the rich biodiversity especially large numbers of endemic bird species in the Rumassala hillock.

Hikkaduwa Beach

In the early 1960s, Hikkaduwa, a small fishing village was transformed into an unbievable hub of international tourism becoming Sri Lanka’s most sought after holiday destination along the western coast. Easy to reach within a short drive from Colombo, the beautiful white sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs and excellent surf attract people the world over.

A ride in a glass bottomed boat through the shallow sea to view the colorful coral reef is one that both local and foreign visitors look forward.

Backpackers, travellers and package tourists all alike favour the beach party atmosphere and one can see them throughout the year in or out of “tourist seasons”. Surfing in the Hikkaduwa region is well known and one gets the best surf during its dry season, November to March with 4 main surf breaks from north to south.

Hikkaduwa also is a major fisheries harbor and one can enjoy the sight of hundreds of fishing craft at its landing site just where the town begins.

Even off the beaches, Hikkaduwa has a lot to offer by way of picturesque temples, a scenic fresh-water lake where you still can see outrigger fishermen, tranquil village life at just a small walk down the road and much more.

Passikuda Beach

The world famous Pasikuda beach in Batticaloa district along the east coast is a location attractive to both local and international holidaymakers. With its wide sandy beach and a reef protected sea it is an ideal place for children, wind surfers and water skiers.

The village itself is away from busy town life making it a popular beach retreat. Boat trips are readily available for viewing the coral reef and the sea is surprisingly shallow and calm for a long distance within making it a safe place of enjoyment especially for children.

Trincomalee-Nilaweli Beach

Trincomalee, located on the east coast of Sri Lanka, is renowned as one of the most picturesque natural harbours of the world. Over the centuries, it has attracted various groups of foreign invaders and colonists, who recognized its potential as a major port city, and today, it remains one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, around 257 kilometres from Colombo.

The 30km stretch of beach running uninterrupted from north of Trincomalee, is traditionally used both by Sri Lankans and foreign visitors for swimming, diving, surfing, boating, whale watching, sport fishing, leisure walks, bird watching and relaxation. There are over 100 Beach Service Crafts providing transport services to local and foreign tourists, to various locations along the coastline.

Adam's Peak

Venerated by four religions, Adam’s Peak is at 2,243m above sea level, where pilgrims flock to climb during the night in the special season of January to April. It is near the hill country town of Hatton, 123km from Colombo. The spectacular sunrise seen from the peak rewards pilgrims who climb to pay respect to the footprint set in rock at the summit.

The climb is up uneven steps of granite and cement and climbers are encouraged by others to keep going; the descent is just as taxing. A ritual, after worship, is to ring the bell, not on the first visit, but only on subsequent visits. The various faiths regard the footprint as representing their own beliefs, so it is a symbol of the multi-cultural character of Sri Lanka.

Colombo

The original Sinhala name, Kalantotta was corrupted to Kolambu by Arab traders and then changed to Colombo by the Portuguese that arrived in 1505. They gained a monopoly in the spice and cinnamon trade. By the mid 17th century, the Dutch had taken control of the costal areas of the island. The British made it the capital of their crown colony of Ceylon in 1802 and in 1948 Colombo became the capital of independent Ceylon.

Colombo remains the largest city and commercial capital and possesses many restaurants, bars, shops and places to see including the Pettah bazaar district, the wealthy residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, the National Museum and Wolvendhal Church, both dating from the Dutch colonial period, and numerous temples and mosques. Colombo still carrying remnants of colonization is filled with many-starred international hotels, shopping centers and is surprisingly westernized, yet with its own unmistakable Sri Lankan character.

The commercial and political heart of Sri Lanka, it is a fascinating mix of old and new, with high-rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red-tiled colonial-era buildings.

Ceylon Tea Museum

At the end of an 8km drive up the winding Hantane Road from Kandy and converted from a four-storey tea factory built in 1925, is The Ceylon Tea Museum, created under the auspices of the Tea Board and the Planters Association of Ceylon. Visitors are greeted warmly and give a full guided tour of the museum.

The ground floor is dedicated to the 19th century machinery used to operate a pulley-powered factory. On the first floor are items associated with James Taylor, considered the founding father of Sri Lanak’s tea industry, as well as a library of old books about tea. There are shops selling tea on the third floor, while the fourth floor where tea can be tasted in a café.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Realizing the threat to the turtles the world over, the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka started a turtle hatchery on the Kosgoda beach. It was established in 1981 to protect turtles that frequent Sri Lankan waters from extinction. Mother turtles swim over to the sandy beach along this coast and lay and hide their eggs in the sand. These locations are easily found by poachers by the mobility marks these innocent animals leave on the sand.

The hatcheries pay fishermen for eggs that they collect at night along this long sandy beach. The hatchery has become a tourist location as it is very rarely that one gets to see baby turtles or even a large turtle in the wild. Visitors get to view the new born lively hatchlings in huge tanks. When they are 2-4 days old and are able to swim out, they are taken to the sea and released. The main egg laying season for turtles is from October to April. Yet some eggs can be found at Kosgoda throughout the year.

Sri Lanka is one of the leading countries in the world that has paid attention to the conservation of sea turtles.

Ella

Ella is a beautiful small village in Sri Lanka’s hill country carrying a few shops, hotels and guesthouses. It stands after a short deviation from the Bandarawela – Badulla road. It possesses a beautiful little railway station through which the Badulla railway passes. The heavily winding Ella – Wellawaya road strategically leads to the beautiful Ravana water falls flowing down a cave just by the roadside.

The Ravana Ella cave lies 4500 feet above sea level on the foundation of a cliff. This beautiful tourist location is at a 7 miles distance from Bandarawela. The Ravana water fall is known to be one of the widest waterfalls of Sri Lanka. It pours itself down through the Ella gorge, a gap between two hills. The water beautifully courses down in three stages for 9 metres and then curves itself in a stream flowing through the gorge under the bridge. The view beyond the gorge is gorgeous that on a bright day one can see right across the southern coast of Sri Lanka through the strikingly beautiful backdrop of mountains and valleys.

Mirissa

Another destination for independent travellers and surfers on Sri Lanka’s southern coast is Mirissa.

It is very famous for Whale Watching.

It is a small fishing village with a beautiful beach and excellent surf points. The fish landing site carries a large number of fishing vessels which bring in their catch early morning and makes a beautiful sight to watch.

While the main focus in Mirissa is the beach, it is a good starting point for excursions further south especially to the Yala National Park and Kataragama. A short distance to the interior you can find rubber and coconut plantations, ancient temples and spice gardens.

Kithulgala

Kitulgala is a small town that one meets along the Colombo – Nuwara Eliya road and is becoming more and more one of the most visited ECO destinations in Sri Lanka. Kitugala with a beautiful shallow river winding through it, shrouded by the rainforest is a place for nature lovers.

The film location of “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was Kitulgala and the famous bridge that was blown up in the film was built over the Kelani river flowing through Kitulgala.

This location in which the bridge was built still attracts fans. The river can be crossed by walking across the shallows and crossing the deep channel in a dugout canoe with an outrigger during the drier seasons. This is place for those interested in bird watching, white-water rafting and trekking.

Large numbers of people travel to Kitulgala at weekends to enjoy the beautiful scenery and play in the river.

Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla temple has five caves and
157 statues of the Lord Buddha, many
paintings on the ceilings and walls that
emphasis the artistic talent of ancient
days.

The history of the rock temple dates from
the 1st century BC. The fascination of
these caves is not only the statues but also
the many intricate and delicate paintings
that cover the ceiling and walls, created
with indigenous traditional paints.

Because of the history, archaeological and
artistic implications, the premises were
declared as one of the UNESCO World
Heritage sites . The temple has been in use
for over 22 centuries and still holds a
sense of benevolence and spirituality.

Visitors may climb up steps to the temple
and the view from the top of the rock is as
inspiring as the temple’s golden interior.