Top Places To Visit In Sri Lanka

Top 7 Places To Visit In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is often referred to as “the pearl of the Indian Ocean.” No wonder, because there is a great deal to discover on this tropical island with around 21 million inhabitants: Dream beaches, cultural treasures, rich biodiversity, and hearty cooking.

There are a variety of tour options one can enjoy in Sri Lanka. Travel Arcade has distilled most of the essence of this beautiful country offering products within many sought-after categories such as Heritage, the Hills, Nature and Adventure, Wildlife, Sports (Golf), Weddings/Honeymoons, and Natural Health (Ayurveda).

Visitors booking these packages can be star struck by staggering historic splendor, the pristine cool climes of the hill country rising over 6,000 feet above sea level, enjoy the adrenaline rush of white water rafting, trekking, and more, get face to face with the Island's exotic wildlife, book a golfing tour including a round or two at the wonderful Nuwara Eliya Golf Course modeled on St. Andrew's of Scotland, celebrate an idyllic marriage or honeymoon in 'paradise' or just come over to enjoy the peace of mind and organic healing that the gentle art of Ayurveda has imparted for centuries. And we haven't even begun on the custom designed tours that let you have... anything really!

Top 7 Places To Visit In Sri Lanka

• Anuradhapura
• Polonnaruwa
• Sigiriya Rock Forest
• Dambulla
• Kandy
• Nuwara Eliya
• Ella

Anuradhapura

Province: Northern Central Province

District: Anuradhapura

UNESCO world Heritage

Anuradhapura is a major tourist attraction, also a major city located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka.Situated on the banks of the traditional Malwathu Oya, the city is situated in the North Central Province, 205 kilometers (127 miles) north of the present-day capital of Colombo.The city is currently recognized as a World Heritage Site and is well-known for the well-preserved ancient Sinhalese civilization ruins.

Anuradhapura is the first capital(Rajadhaniya in Sinhala language) of Sri Lanka.The Mahāvaṃsa claims that King Pandukabhaya, whose reign spanned the entire nation, created it around 437 BC. And King Dutugamunu was a very famous king among locals who also ruled this kingdom. According to historical books king Dutugamunu built many temples,tanks(wawa) and palaces. Ruwanwelisaya also known as the swarnamali maha seya, is a stupa (a hemispherical structure containing relics), and a palace named Lovamahapaya is also a creation by King Ditigamunu.

As a foreigner there are many places to visit in the ancient city Anuradhapura

---

Polonnaruwa

Province: Northern Central Province

District: Polonnaruwa

UNESCO world Heritage

Polonnaruwa is a major tourist attraction, also a major city located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka.The capital of the Polonnaruwa District in Sri Lanka's North Central Province is Polnaruwa. The other portion of Polonnaruwa still exists as the regal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, and is also referred to as New Town.

After Anuradhapura was destroyed in 993 AD, the capital of Sri Lanka was Polonnaruwa, the country's second-oldest monarchy. King Parakramabahu built it.Rich in archeological discoveries, the city is scattered with ruins, temples, shrines, and palaces. Investigate the royal palace from King Parakramabahu's era.

One of the main draws of Sri Lanka is the revered Quadrangle. The Vatadage, a circular relic house with an amazing 18-meter diameter and magnificent sculptural design that includes four exquisitely preserved stone Buddhas, is the focal point of this, Polonnaruwa's most concentrated section of ruins.The city is also home to the remnants of several remarkable dagobas, such as the 55-meter-tall Rankot Vihara made of red brick, the Menik Vihara, the Pabalu Vehera, and the Kiri Vihara, which was initially constructed for one of Parakramabahu's wives and covered in lime plaster.Inside the Alahana Pirivena, the former royal cremation grounds, is the spectacular cathedral-like Lankatilaka temple, whose walls soar to an amazing 17 meters. Inside, there is a colossal headless Buddha carved out of the tall end wall.

As a foreigner there are many places to visit in the ancient city Polnaruwa

• Royal Palace of King Parakramabahu
• Minneriya National Park
• Rankoth Vehera
• Archaeological Museum
• Kiri Vehera
• Vatadageya
• Nissanka Latha Mandapaya
• Giritale Wewa
• Parakrama Samudra
• Gal Viharaya

---

Sigiriya Rock Forest

Province: Northern Central Province

District: Dambulla

UNESCO world Heritage

Sigiriya, also known as Sinhagiri, is a historic rock stronghold in Sri Lanka's Central Province that is situated close to the town of Dambulla in the northern Matale District. This historically and archaeologically significant location is dominated by a gigantic granite column that rises to a height of around 590 feet.

On the numerous acres of land at the top, the Sinhalese monarch Kashyapa I (r. 477–495) constructed a palace shaped like a massive lion with the intention of using it as a defense against his foes. But in 495, the king was vanquished, and the palace was destroyed. But the location quickly gained popularity as a pilgrimage site, and it is now a well-liked tourist attraction. Through the lion's gaping paws, one of the few parts of the palace still standing, visitors start their last ascent to the summit. 21 rock paintings of apsaras, or celestial singers and dancers, are also noteworthy. In 1982, Sigiriya received the UNESCO World Heritage designation.

---

Dambulla

Province: Central Province

District: Matale

Dambulla is a town in Central Province, Sri Lanka, located in the northern part of Matale District. In the Matale District, it is the second most populous and urbanized center after Matale.Dambulla, a thriving town near the center of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle, is well-known for its five cave temples, which are home to more than 150 outstanding pieces of art. The five caves are lavishly decorated with elaborate murals and statues, representing the pinnacle of Sinhalese Buddhist art. The caves are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dambulla Cave Temples: UNESCO world Heritage

This cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, has been a revered pilgrimage site for 22 centuries and is the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Both the 157 statues and the 2,100 m2 of Buddhist mural paintings are extremely significant.

The cave temples of Dambulla are a collection of exquisitely furnished, varied-sized tunnels. Nearly every square inch of the sloping tunnels, which house several sculptures of the Buddha and his disciples as well as other kings who were engaged in the construction of the monument, is covered in murals. Some of Sri Lanka's best Buddhist artwork can be seen in the caves.

Cavern 1

The Devalaya Viharaya, also known as the Temple of the Gods, gets its name from Vishnu, whose pictures are painted on the walls. There is a stunning 14-meter-long sleeping Buddha within that was carved out of the rock; gold traces can be seen on his elbow, though they are frequently covered. Within the cave are other figures, including Ananda, the disciple of the Buddha.

Cavern 2

Vattagamini and Nissankalla are the two monarchs who built the Maharaja Vihara, also known as the Temple of the Great monarchs. They are both shown as sculptures. Apart from its remarkable dimensions of up to 50 meters in length and 7 meters in height, the cave is brimming with Buddha and Hindu god statues and is beautifully painted.

Cavern 3

The Great New Temple, known as the Maha Aluth Viharaya, is believed to have been built by King Kirti Sri Rajasinha. Over fifty sitting and standing Buddhas, one of the king, and two more Buddha statues—one sleeping, the other meditating—carved out of sheer rock are positioned below a height of about ten meters. The 18th-century murals that cover the cave's walls and ceiling are equally stunning. They were created in this location.

Cavern 4

One of Dambulla's smaller caverns, the Paccima Viharaya (Western Cave) is nonetheless crammed with Buddha sculptures and features a dagoba in the middle. In addition to florals and decorative checks, Buddhas are also portrayed in the wall paintings.

Cavern 5

The Devana Aluth Viharaya (Second New Temple), the smallest and most recent cave, has murals of Vishnu, Kataragama, and the local god Bandara in addition to a 10-meter-tall reclining Buddha. These statues are made of brick and plaster, while the most of the statues in Dambulla are carved out of solid rock.

---

Kandy

Province: Northern Central Province

District: Kandy

UNESCO: world Heritage

Situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka lies a Large city called Kandy. It served as the final capital of Sri Lanka during the reign of the old kings. Situated amidst rolling hills on the Kandy plateau, the city spans a region of tropical plantations, primarily cultivating tea.

Sacred City of Kandy

Senkadagalapura, also known as the sacred Buddhist shrine, served as the final capital of the Sinhala rulers, whose patronage allowed the Dinahala civilization to flourish for over 2,500 years until the British takeover of Sri Lanka in 1815. In addition, it is home to the well-known pilgrimage site, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, which houses the Buddha's precious tooth. The two main sects of Buddhism, Mahayana and Theravada, both established centers in Kandy. The most significant of its several Buddhist temples is Dalada Maligawa, also known as the "Temple of the Tooth," where a priceless artifact believed to be the Buddha's left upper canine has been conserved since 1590. Under the reigns of the Kandyan kings, the temple was built between 1687 and 1707 and between 1747 and 1782. It is attached to a tower (1803) that was formerly a jail and now holds a significant collection of manuscripts written in palm leaf. After Tamil rebels bombed the temple in January 1998, causing damage to its roof and facade, rehabilitation work started right away. Two notable 14th-century Hindu and Buddhist temples southwest of Kandy are the Gadaladeniya Vihare and the Lankatilaka Vihare.

---

Nuwara Eliya

Province: Central Province

District: Nuwara Eliya

The city of Nuwara Eliya is located in Sri Lanka's Central Province's hill country. The meanings of its name are "city of light" or "city on the plain (table land)". Nuwara Eliya District's administrative capital, the city boasts a beautiful environment and a moderate temperature. Known as "Little England" because of its temperate climate and bungalows from the colonial era, Nuriwaya Eliya has a considerably more stunning backdrop than Britain, with mist-clad mountains and terraced tea plantations encircling the ancient hill station and an abundance of excellent beers.

However, in addition to breathtaking scenery, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka offers an enormous array of activities and fantastic locations to explore

• Lake Gregory
• Visit Hortons Place
• World’s End Hike
• Visit Bakers Falls
• Visit Strawberry Farms
• Visit Hakgala Botanical Garden
• Visit Sankhgiri Maha Viharaya
• Visit Victoria Park
• Tour a Tea Factory

---

Ella

Province: Uva Province

District: Badulla

Ella is a tiny town under the municipal council of the Badulla District in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. At an elevation of 1,041 meters (3,415 feet) above sea level, it is located around 200 kilometers (120 km) east of Colombo.

Relaxed Ella, with its mild environment, tea plantations, and mountain forests, entices visitors to the highlands of Sri Lanka. Along with hidden temples, cascades, and caverns, the wildlife-rich area is also home to the Ella Gap, which provides panoramic views between a split in two hills. Situated amidst picturesque verdant hills and cascading waterfalls in the misty highlands of Sri Lanka is Ella, a highly desirable location on this tear-shaped island.

Many of tourists favorite Sri Lankan experiences can be found right here, including climbing Ella Rock's towering heights, seeing the enigmatic Nine Arch Bridge for the first time, standing on the brink of the nation's second-tallest waterfall, and riding the renowned Kandy to Ella train through tea plantations and mountain passes.

Ella is a quaint, laid-back village that is ideal for strolling, hiking, and getting away from the intense heat of the southern coast. Food from Sri Lanka is a must-try.