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.
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.
