JAFFNA
A bastion of Hindu tradition, art, and creative culture, Jaffna welcomes visitors warmly. It’s intriguing, unimposing, slightly off the beaten path and a thoroughly rewarding place to discover Sri Lankan Tamil culture. Inescapably, decades of war, emigration, embargoes, and loss of life and property deeply affected this historic town, but the city is surprisingly green and leafy, with attractive palm-shaded colonial-era suburbs and beautiful temples and churches. Physically, new projects and upgraded transport connections show that Jaffna’s days of isolation are long past.
Ancient sights both in the center of town and on the outskirts make for compelling attractions. And while there is enough to do after dark to create a nascent buzz, it’s still mellow enough that you won’t get run over while walking. The city is an ideal base for forays to the idyllic islands just to the west and trips along the coastline and lagoons of the surrounding peninsula.
SIGIRIYA
Sigiriya, also known a the ‘Lion Rock’ an ancient palace, was once nominated as the 8th wonder of the world. Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO recognized heritage site and a major tourist attraction. Sigiriya is 176 km north-east of Colombo, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. This is a 220-meter high rock, at the top of which an ancient King built his Palace. In addition to being a well-maintained model of ancient urban life, Sigiriya is also an adventure of rock climbing for many. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. here are also a few attractions in close proximity to this site such as Pidurangala Rock, Sigiriya Village Safari, and Sigiriya Museum.
COLOMBO
Its history involves successive rulings by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and it was a major port on the east-west trade routes during that era. This ancient heritage reflects on the city today in terms of its architecture consisting of colonial buildings as well as high rise skyscrapers and shopping malls. The cosmopolitan side of Colombo includes stylish theatres, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, museums, and galleries. Colombo is the bustling capital city of Sri Lanka and is a hub for visiting beaches in the south of the island. Modern-day Colombo is emerging rapidly and a Colombo city tour is a worthy item on your agenda either on the start or finishes to your Sri Lankan tour.
DAMBULLA
The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. The city of Dambulla is 148 km north-east of Colombo, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is home to an ancient cave Temple also known as the Golden Rock Temple, which is a popular tourist attraction. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka’s most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art. From the caves, there are superb views over the surrounding countryside
KANDY
Kandy, more popularly known as the hill capital of Sri Lanka, is an attractive tourist destination. Its history dates back to the 15th century when it was the last royal capital of the country. The city is 115km from Colombo and is the second biggest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy has an abundance of the culture around it; the Temple of the Tooth being the most popular attraction. The center of the city is situated in a valley which is elevated at 600m above sea level. Kandy Lake is an artificial creation by one of the past rulers and today, it is a scenic centerpiece of the town. Also, home to an international cricket stadium, Kandy brings in thousands of cricket fans. Sports, religion, history, and culture, Kandy has it all!
GALLE
Galle, 119km from Colombo, is a major city situated at the tip of the South Western coast of Sri Lanka. Being a coastal area, it is quite hot and humid but has an abundance of beautiful beaches in every town that you pass while traveling from Colombo to Galle. The Galle Fort was built by the Portuguese, fortified later by the Dutch, and is well preserved till today. In addition to the Portuguese and Dutch remains, you will also find many British mansions left behind. Wondering its rambling lanes you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques, and impeccably restored hotels.
YALA
Have you ever been on a safari in a jungle that is ruled by the leopards? Yala National Park is your answer! With 130,000 hectares of landscape, this Park is situated in the city of Yala, 260km South East of Colombo, and is a combination of a National Park as well as a strict nature reserve. According to Forbes Magazine, one of the main tourist attractions in Sri Lanka is its wildlife, and Yala National Park is the most visited wildlife park on the island. Along with the wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles, you will also experience a range of forests, scrubs, lagoons, tanks, and grasslands. Some of the most seen animals include leopards, elephants, sloth bears, jackals, peacocks, and crocodiles.
ELLA
Ella is a pure natural beauty, with its waterfalls, greenery, and hills it is just jaw-dropping. Ella town itself is surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Central highlands; covered in rolling green tea estates, the tall trees of cloud forests, and interesting natural formations. The views through Ella Gap are stunning, and on a clear night, you can even spy the subtle glow of the Great Basses lighthouse on Sri Lanka’s south coast. See best things to do in Ella here.
POLONNARUWA
The second capital of ancient Sri Lanka established after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 10 century. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. Polonnaruwa holds some of the finest ancient sites of Asia, such as remnants of the seven-story Palace of King Parakramabahu and stunning stupas, which dominate the landscape. Incredible statues of Buddha, carved from single pieces of granite are on view over multiple sites where visitors may also see a lion throne in the midst of a whole palace of ruins.
PASIKUDA
Pasikuda is a coastal resort town located 35 kilometres east-west of, Sri Lanka. Historically a small Tamil hamlet alongside nearby Kalkudah, it used to be a popular tourist destination, however, it suffered huge devastation following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the Sri Lankan Civil War. Foreign travel to Pasikudah has recently increased due to growth in investment and development. Pasikudah is known to have one of the longest stretches of shallow reef coastline in the world. People walk kilometres into the sea because the water is only a few inches deep and the current is relatively weak compared to the rest of Sri Lanka’s coasts.
NUWARA-ELIYA
Nuwara Eliya meaning “city on the plain or “city of light” is a town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is one of the major tea producing areas in the world. The tallest mountain in Sri Lanka “Pidurutalagala” oversees this beautiful city. It is the most visited hill country. You find colonial hotels, working tea factories to visit as well as a golf club and a racecourse, Nuwara Eliya is a place to really gain a feel for colonial times. With Lake Gregory and an entertaining schedule of events (particularly in April season when locals from Colombo arrive to escape the heat), Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy life in the ‘home of tea’.
ANURADHAPURA
Anuradhapura is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of Sri Lanka’s most sacred pilgrimage cities having been a great monastic center as well as the royal capital. The ruins help visitors imagine the magnificent monasteries that once stood here rising many stories into the sky covered in gilt bronze and reflecting brilliant colors. The ruins to the north of the city are encircled by great walls and contain elaborate bathing ponds, carved balustrades, and moonstones. Take a bicycle around Anuradhapura as dusk falls to capture the true magic and avoid the crowds, being disturbed only by the wild peacocks wandering through the ancient ruins, adding to their mystery.
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