Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean. The country was formerly known as Ceylon. It is well known for its ancient civilization, golden sandy beaches, mountains, and rubber and tea plantations. Here you can see colonial architecture from the days of Portuguese, Dutch, and English rule. A lot of elephants can also be seen, some of which participate in local festivals. Let’s check out the best places to visit in Sri Lanka:
Kandy
Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is a popular tourist destination and a corner of the country’s cultural triangle. Surrounded by hills of rainforest and tea plantations, the city also has a beautiful lake. The Temple of the Tooth, a holy temple where Buddha’s tooth is kept, can also be visited. From strolling through the city’s colorful streets to grabbing food from a street vendor, you’ll be compelled to admire the architecture. You can walk around the lake. Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens, located outside the city, also has an Orchid House you can visit.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a huge rock. Apart from the structure, it is also a culturally and historically important place. There is a 5th-century fort and palace that has been awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One can reach the top of the rock through a kind of staircase. En route, you will pass scenic views, and ancient paintings of monks on rock walls, and learn about the erstwhile kingdom known as Rock Home. The best time for trekking is early morning, allowing you to explore the whole area.
Colombo
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has several historic neighborhoods. The ancient temples, colonial architecture, skyscrapers, and city gardens are spectacular. There are interesting architectural sights that tourists should visit at least once. Places of pilgrimage include the Jami ul-Alfar Mosque, a red and white mosque in the Pettah area of Colombo. Tourists must dress appropriately, ensuring women’s hair, hands, and feet are covered.
Mirissa
Mirissa is known as one of the premier beach destinations in the country. Those looking for a quiet, leisurely day on the sand and a night out on the town should definitely go here. Among the beaches there, Mirissa Beach and Secret Beach are the best for beauty and seclusion, but neither is too crowded. If you want to float above the water, Mirissa can be a sandbar paradise, especially from October to April when it is best to watch blue whales. There are some nice restaurants along the beach that you can visit in the evening too.
Polonnaruwa
The third corner of the cultural triangle was Anuradhapura, which was abandoned, and Polonnaruwa became the second capital. The history and ruins of Polonnaruwa, like Anuradhapura, the royal palace, and other royal sites, and the quadrangle (a walled area of memorials and Buddha statues), are a major attraction for tourists. Here you will see monkeys called toque macaques.
