Experiences
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Sri lanka Tourist Attractions
The top Sri Lanka Places To Visit will appeal to any traveller's interests. The small island nation is chock-full of adventure activities like surfing and trekking. Religious devotees will find several highly religious sites in Sri Lanka, while history buffs will find unbelievable historical attractions. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka cannot be disputed, however. You will never be far from lush greenery and exotic animals when visiting a surf break, historical site, or pilgrimage..
Sacred City of Kandy
Tourist attractions sri lanka, Kandy in Sinhala, pronounced is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Central Province and Kandy District. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy Valley which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. Kandy is of both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province and also of the administrative district of Kandy.
Ancient City of Sigiriya
Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and castle/palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. It is a popular tourist destination, also known for its ancient paintings (frescos), very similar to those in the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiraya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. Its most tourist attractions sri lanka.
Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²). Anuradhapura is also significant in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana
Old Town of Galle
Galle"Gaul", and in Sinhalese IPA: [ɡaːlːə]) is a town situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. The major river is Gin River Gin Ganga which starts from Gongala Kanda and passing villages such as Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada, Wakwella and kisses the sea at Ginthota. In Wakwella over the river there is Wakwella Bridge which is the longest bridge in Sri Lanka
An Overview of Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader. its Sri Lanka Places To Visit
Dambulla Cave Temple
Major attractions of the city include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The city also boasts to have the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or Namal Uyana. Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dhambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 kilometers of the cave temples providing evidence on presence of indigenous civilisations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the Island nation.
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya is a small town in Sri Lanka, and is famous for two things , for the great Minneriya lake build by King Mahasen and for the Minneriya wildlife sanctuary which is a hot spot for safari lovers because of the abandons of Elephants. Furthermore it is situated near Habarana which have some high class hotels for tourists and some famous world heritage sites like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya which are relatively close to Minneriya.
Yala National Park
Yala National Park is a huge area of forest, grassland and lagoons bordering the Indian Ocean, located in the southeast Sri Lanka. It’s home to wildlife such as leopards, elephants and crocodiles, as well as hundreds of bird species. Yala National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. Yala combines a strict nature reserve with a national park. Divided into 5 blocks, the park has a protected area of nearly 130,000 hectares of land consisting of light forests, scrubs, grasslands, tanks and lagoons.
Wilpattu National Park
The park is located on the northwest coast lowland dry zone of Sri Lanka, the park is 30 km (19 mi) west of Anuradhapura and 26 km (16 mi) north of Puttalam (approximately 180 km (110 mi) north of Colombo). Wilpattu National Park (Willu-pattu, “Land of Lakes”) is a national park in Sri Lanka. it really tourist attractions sri lanka Places To Visit.
East coast - Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka, about 110 miles northeast of Kandy. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. It is one of the main centers of Tamil speaking culture on the island. Historically referred to as Gokanna, or Gokarna it has been a sea port that has played a major role in maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is located in the Southern Province, about 20 km north-west of Galle. Hikkaduwa is famous for its beach and corals. Villages affected were Telwatta, Paraliya, Dodanduwa, Kahawa, Rathgama. The place is on the way from Colombo to Galle on the famous Galle road. It is primarily a tourist destination, and serves as a great beach with options to surf, snorkel and enjoy the sun.
South coast - Mirissa
Mirissa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 4 metres (13 ft) above sea level. Mirissa’s beach and nightlife make it a popular tourist destination. It is also a fishing port and one of the island’s main whale and dolphin watching locations. The Whale and Dolphin watching in Mirissa are one of the most thrilling water activities in Sri Lanka. The warm waters around Sri Lanka are ideal to spot blue whales, Bryde´s whales, sperm whales, fin whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and sometimes killer whales. Spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and striped dolphin can be seen too. If you are a whale and dolphin watching enthusiast, the best place to travel will be to Mirissa.
Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is a coastal town located in western region of, Puttalam District. The Kalpitiya peninsula consists of a total fourteen islands. It is developing as a tourist destination. The beautiful beaches, the ancient Dutch Fort and the church and with a chance to go kayaking in the Kalpitiya lagoon are just a few of the main tourist attraction here in Kalpitiya. It makes your trip to Kalpitiya that more memorable!!
East coast - Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka, about 110 miles northeast of Kandy. The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. It is one of the main centers of Tamil speaking culture on the island. Historically referred to as Gokanna, or Gokarna it has been a sea port that has played a major role in maritime and international trading history of Sri Lanka.
An Overview of Knuckles Range
The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District. Whilst this name was assigned by early British surveyors, the Sinhalese residents have traditionally referred to the area as Dumbara Kanduvetiya meaning mist-laden mountain range (Cooray, 1984). The entire area is characterised by its striking landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud but in addition to its aesthetic value the range is of great scientific interest. It is a climatic microcosm of the rest of Sri Lanka.Tourist attractions sri lanka
Uppaweli Beach
Located about 10 minutes outside of Trincomalee lies the small beach village of Uppuveli.Similarly, to Nilaveli Beach, Uppuveli is a long, sandy beach with clear waters and no waves. It attracts a bigger crowd than Nilaveli Beach as there is more going on in the area.When tourists speak of Trincomalee, they are often referring to Uppuveli Beach. It’s the more popular destination of the two, offering a better vibe and festive atmosphere when compared to the relaxed feel of Nilaveli.
Weligama
Weligama is a town on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in Matara District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. The name Weligama, literally means “sandy village” which refers to the area’s sandy sweep bay. It is approximately 144 kilometres (89 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 9 metres (30 ft) above the sea level.The main industries are tourism and fishing. Weligama is a popular tourist destination and hosts several boutique hotels including an off shore islet known as Taprobane, which houses a villa constructed by the French Count de Mauny, and is currently owned by Geoffrey Dobbs. It was the birthplace of the scholar monk Weligama Sri Sumangala.
Unawatuna
Unawatuna is a coastal town in Galle district of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and known for its beach and corals. It is a suburb of Galle, about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southeast to the city center and approximately 108 kilometres (67 mi) south of Colombo. Unawatuna is situated at an elevation of 5 metres (16 ft) above the sea level. Despite significant development in the last decade it is still home to the endangered and endemic purple-faced langur, an usually shy monkey species that can only be found in Sri Lanka’s forests.There are many beautiful places of accommodation available here since it’s located very close to Galle.
An Overview of Baticaloa
Batticaloa, fondly called Batti, located at a distance of 314 km from Colombo, is a post card pretty city on an island. On full moon nights a faint but distinct musical sound emanated by a unique breed of fish arises from the lagoon. An old Dutch Fort near the lagoon is another tourist attraction of this city. Around the town, there are many gorgeous beaches that are still unexplored and undeveloped.
An Overview of Aluthgama
Aluthgama is a coastal town in Kalutara District in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 63.5 kilometres (39.5 mi) south of Colombo and 68 kilometres (42 mi) north of Galle. Aluthgama is situated on the southern bank of the Bentota Ganga (River) mouth.The main income is from tourism and banking.The many beautiful places of accommodation at Aluthgama and it’s close proximity to Bentota City, makes it a very popular tourist destination.
East - Coast - Arugambay
Arugam Bay, known locally as “Arugam Kudah”, is situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka’s southeast coast, and a historic settlement of the ancient Batticaloa Territory. The bay is located 117 kilometres (73 mi) south of Batticaloa, 320 kilometres (200 mi) due east of Colombo, and approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of the market town of Pottuvil.
An Overview of Pottuvil
Pottuvil is a town in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka, located in the Eastern Province on the eastern coast of the Island. It is situated 4 km (2.5 mi) north of the popular tourist destination Arugam Bay.
An Overview of Ella Rock & Little Adam’s Peak
Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka. Only 8 km from Bandarawela, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside. A taste of the breathtaking scenery of Ella could be had, if you just walk into the Garden of the Grand Ella Motel (Formerly Ella Rest House), where you seem to be standing at the edge of the world, and everything around you seems to disappear at your feet. Another fine view is from the Ambiente Hotel, where the wide doorway, opens out to the mountains, creating a dramatic cinematic like experience, on entry. Some of the places you could see in Ella are the Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam's Peak and Bambaragala Peak among the other many varied pleasant walks with stunning scenery.
An Overview of Horton Plains and World’s End
Horton Plains National Park is a national park in the central highlands of Sri Lanka that was designated in 1988. It is located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m (6,900–7,500 ft) and encompasses montane grassland and cloud forest. It is rich in biodiversity and many species found here are endemic to the region. It is also a popular tourist destination and is situated 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Ohiya, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the world-famous Ohiya Gap/Dondra Watch and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Nuwara Eliya.
Pidurangala
Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometers north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Climbing to the top of Pidurangala Rock is more strenuous than climbing Sigiriya. If you are fit and adventurous it is a climb worth making. It will take you about two hours.Destination for moderate hikes & climbs to the top of the rock, popular for panoramic views.
Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak is a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for the Sri Pada, i.e., “sacred footprint”, a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Hanuman or Shiva, i.e., “Mountain of Shiva’s Light”, and in some Islamic and Christian traditions that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas.Ella is blessed with some of the most beautiful views, you could find in Sri Lanka. Only 8 km from Bandarawela, this small town is used as a base for plenty of trekking expeditions to the surrounding countryside.
Bentota
Located in the district of Galle of the Southern Province, Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka. It is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) south of Colombo and 56 kilometres (35 mi) north of Galle. Situated on the southern bank of the Bentota River mouth, at an elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above sea level, Bentota is also a tourist attraction, with a local airport (Bentota River Airport) and a handful of world-class hotels.
An Overview of Colombo
The name "Colombo", first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani". It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbour with leafy mango trees". Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
An Overview of Pasikuda
Pasikudah is a coastal resort town located 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. Historically a small Tamil hamlet alongside nearby Kalkudah, it used to be a popular tourist destination, however 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. It is home to the Pasikudah Mariamman temple. Pasikudah is easily accessible from the cities of Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
An Overview of Kirinda
Kirinda is a coastal village in Sri Lanka. It is located in the Southern Province.Kirinda is a coastal township located 10 km south of Tissamaharama. It is known for Kirinda Temple that lies atop a small rocky hill nearby the coast. Built by king Kavantissa, the temple is frequented by hundreds of pilgrims and tourists daily. Being at the temple premises, you could see the breathtaking views of the long sandy unpopulated beach, long huge sand dunes, Great Basses reefs off the shore and on the other side, verdant vegetation and national parks. The statue of Queen Viharamaha Devi is also one of best attractions at Kirinda.