The tear-drop shaped island nation Sri Lanka is south of India in the Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscapes range from rainforest and arid plains to highlands and sandy beaches. Sri Lanka is a green, fertile tropical island with palm-fringed beaches, misty mountains and significant archaeology.
UNESCO honoured eight places of Sri Lanka with UNESCO world heritage site. The Dutch fort of Galle, in the bay of Galle is a unique exposition of "an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The rock fortress of Sigiriya, It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes. The golden rock temple of Dambulla, a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The scared city of Anuradapura ,Sri Lanka's ancient capital has many ruins dating back more than 2,000 years. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 has the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created in the 12th century. The hill capital Kandy. The exquisite Horton plains, Sri Lanka’s coldest and windiest location situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level and consists of ecosystems such as Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands and aquatic ecosystem. The Ancient Maligawila monastery and its Buddha statue which has been carved out of a large limestone rock during the 7th century and It is the tallest free-standing ancient statue of the Buddha found in the country. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve.
Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital, biggest city and major port, draws together all the colours and cultures that make up this island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of markets, gardens and buildings both humble and grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront. The capital city including shopping, visit Fort, the former British administrative centre and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, and the Bazaar area. See a Hindu temple with elaborate stone carvings and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also, visit the BMICH to see the replica of Avukana Buddha and the Independence Square.
Kandy, It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, The Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orison princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession. While going from Colombo to Kandy one can visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. It is an orphanage, nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village,
Nuwara Eliya, the ‘Little England’ of Sri Lanka, visit a tea plantation, situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry. It is set against beautiful backdrops of mountains, valleys, waterfalls and tea plantations.
Bentota's beach is one of the best on the west coast. Bentota, a major port until about 100 years, take a sightseeing tour of Galle. It still handles shipping and sailing boats in the natural harbour. Stroll around the Light House and harbour or visit the old town and purchase some the finest shell-craft souvenirs in the world.
The beauty of the nation is not just congregated in one area but the whole nation is full of natural wonders. Besides visiting its UNESCO world heritage sites there are many more things to do in this magnificent island nation.
