Top 10 Tourist Destination Of Sri Lanka
In the following, we will be discussing a very important topic that’s “Top 10 tourist destination of Sri Lanka” and will discuss it thoroughly within the article. Sri Lanka is also a tiny island in the Indian Ocean however that’s the only factor small about it. The country, formerly referred to as Ceylon, boasts an old and ancient civilization, golden sandy beaches with their swaying coconut palms, mountains as well as rubber and tea plantations.
While visiting the island, you’ll see colonial architecture from the times when the Portuguese, Dutch and English ruled. You’ll see numerous elephants, some of that participate in native festivals and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a leopard or two at a wildlife sanctuary. Following is an overview of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka:
1. Bentota
With coconut palms swaying in the breeze, Bentota is a multi-tasking tourist town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. One of Sri Lanka’s most popular beaches, Bentota is 1st an Indian Ocean beach resort where water activities, like surfing, sailing, and snorkeling, abound. When it’s time for a change of pace, you’ll be able to visit a sea turtle hatchery and conservation center, that monitors 5 of the seven species of sea turtles in the world. You can additionally take in a 17th-century fortress, lush gardens and an old Buddhist temple that dates from medieval times.
2. Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka is famous for its tea. What better place to learn more regarding tea than the source itself: Nuwara Eliya. With a temperate climate as well as an elevation of 1,900 meters (6,100 feet), Nuwara Eliya is the country’s best tea production capital. You can also tour a tea plantation as well as see how tea is made. Founded in the nineteenth century, this hill country town soon became a retreat for British colonists, earning the nickname Little England. April is a good time to go to when visitors flock here to see the blossoms and celebrate Sri Lanka New Year. Other sights include Lake Gregory and Laxapana, Sri Lanka’s most renowned waterfalls.
3. Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is an ancient sacred town that was established around a cutting from Buddha’s fig tree. Dating back to the third century B.C., Anuradhapura was established by the founding father of an order of Buddhist nuns. This glorious city of palaces, temples, and monuments flourished for 1,300 years but was abandoned after it was invaded in the late 10th century. Much like Peru’s Machu Picchu, locals were aware of it but not many others until it was “discovered” by Europeans many centuries later. These fantastic ruins have since been excavated and are accessible for the general public to enjoy.
4. Colombo
Colombo has been the capital to be the more specific commercial capital of Sri Lanka for over 2,000 years when its massive natural harbor made it famous with ancient trades from Italy to China. It’s often referred to as the country’s capital, though the legislative capital is located in a nearby city. Ruled over by first Portuguese and then British colonists, Colombo is a popular tourist destination. One of the most well-liked attractions is Galle Face Green, a strip park along the ocean. Also not to be missed is the Gangaramaya Temple that is known for its mix of ethnic architectural styles.
5. Mirissa
If you’re looking to holiday or vacation in a very tropical paradise, Mirissa just might be the answer and right choice to your dreams: beautiful golden sand beaches, swaying coconut palms, days spent rocking away in a hammock. It doesn’t get much better than this. This crescent-shaped piece of paradise is known for having the most gorgeous sunsets and sunrises in Sri Lanka. There are no luxury resorts to mar the landscape, so it’s just you, the beach, and quiet during the day. The pace picks up at night. Mirissa is one of the biggest fishing port on the south coast and is a good place to go dolphin as well as whale watching.
6. Polonnaruwa
The terms “beauty” and “beast” typically go together well, except at Polonnaruwa where beauty actually goes better with “ruins”. The kingdom which is the second oldest in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is famous and known for the ruins of this ancient garden city. The 12th-century ruins are some of the best-preserved in the country. Polonnaruwa was a place where traders of exotic goods mingled with worshippers in the several temples. You should start your tour of Polonnaruwa at the famous archaeological museum and then proceed to the massive (i.e. 50 buildings) Royal Palace with its well-preserved and amazing audience hall. The stunningly and amazingly decorated Sacred Quadrangle is another must-see and famous place here.
7. Kandy
Kandy, the second largest town in Sri Lanka, is the gateway to the Central Highlands and its tropical plantations that grow both tea and rubber. If you’re driving from Colombo, you will pass by rubber plantations on a road that is actually considered one of the country’s most scenic and stunning place. The last capital of the ancient kingdoms, Kandy is actually home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of the most sacred and spiritual Buddhist temples in the world. A major, colorful festival involves taking the tooth relic around the town. Movie buffs could also be interested to know Kandy was a chief location in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
8. Galle
Galle’s most famous attraction is its 17th-century fort built by Dutch colonists. Sitting on a promontory overlooking the Indian Ocean, the fort is known for its architectural style. Galle is considered a major example of a fortified town. The fortress isn’t simply another pretty place, however; today the fort houses courts and businesses. Galle is actually becoming known as an art colony as well as its ex-pat community and about a third of the city’s homes are owned by foreigners or outsiders. Other tops and famous sights include a natural harbor, a maritime museum, Sri Lanka’s oldest lighthouse, a key Shiva temple as well as the Jesuit built St. Mary’s Cathedral.
9. Yala National Park
Animals rule the roost, the ground as well as the sky at Yala National Park, which is a wildlife sanctuary about 240 km (i.e. 150 miles) from Colombo. Yala offers a plethora of things to do. Your visit actually begins with a safari to see animals, which include water buffalo, elephants as well as leopards, found here in higher density than any other place in the world. Note: the Yala National park closes for leopard breeding season in September. The park is even home to about 215 bird species, of which seven are actually native to the park. Top and best sights, besides wild animals, are Sithulpauwwa, an ancient and old rock temple that once housed about 12,000 monks, as well as the Magul Maha Viharaya, which was once the setting for a royal marriage.
10. Sigiriya
Wannabe archaeologists need to place Sigiriya on their list of must-see places to visit in Sri Lanka. This ancient town is made on a steep slope, topped by a plateau almost 180 meters (600 feet) high. This plateau is known as Lion’s Rock because it oversees the jungles below. Access to the location is through staircases and rooms emanating from the lion’s mouth. You’ll also see ponds, gardens, and fountains. Pretty cool! Locals consider the location the eighth wonder of the planet. This ancient and old rock fortress dates back to the 3rd century B.C. when it was simply a monastery. It was later turned into a royal residence.
