5 Most Genuine Spots to Visit in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a cheap country to visit. Sri Lanka may be a small island in the Indian Ocean, but that is the only small thing. As you visit the island, you will see colonial architecture from when the Portuguese, Dutch, and English ruled.
If you have to spare Sri Lankan rupees, there are many new luxury hotels and resorts where you can spend them. Sri Lankan food is delicious, so make the most of it while you are there. However, knowing where and when to find the goodies can be more challenging than expected.
Sigiriya
Named the eighth wonder of the world by locals, this ancient palace and fort complex has significant archaeological significance, attracting thousands of tourists every year. The palace is located in the heart of the island between Dambulla and Habarane on a massive rocky plateau 370 meters above sea level.
Sigiriya rock plateau, formed from the magma of an extinct volcano, is 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungle. The fortress complex contains remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, gardens, ponds, canals, lakes, and fountains. The surrounding areas of Sigiriya were hampered for several thousand years.
Colombo
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. It has a long history as a port on old east-west trade routes, gradually ruled by the Portuguese. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to the history of Sri Lanka, borders the sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha.
The city’s diverse religious attractions range from the ornate red-and-white-striped Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque and the historic Dutch Reformed Wolvendaal Church to the Buddhist Gangaramaya Temple Complex. International Cricket Games, Sri Lanka’s National Passion, will be held at Premadasa Stadium. The city is also an important starting point for beaches south of the island.
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. The city’s heart is the picturesque Kandy Lake, Bogambara Lake, famous for strolling. Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the Tooth of the Buddha relic.
Since antiquity, the relic has played an essential role in local politics because it is believed that everyone who holds the relic holds the country’s governance. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is mainly because of the temple’s World Heritage Site.
Galle
It is known for Galle Fort, the fortified old town founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th century. Stone walls, which the Dutch extend, enclose car-free streets with architecture reflecting Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Notable buildings include the Dutch Reformed church from the 18th century.
The lighthouse Galle stands at the southeastern tip of the fort. The Old Gate, the original entrance to the fortress, bears the Dutch East India Company symbol. The Galle National Museum displays South Sanctuary artifacts, such as ritual masks, carvings, and colonial objects, in a building dating from 1656.
Anuradhapura
The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of the most impressive sights in South Asia. Some sites are still in use today as sacred sites and temples. Various ceremonies give Anuradhapura a liveliness that starkly contrasts the museum setting in Polonnaruwa.
Today’s Anuradhapura is a pleasant, sprawling city, a small town that feels more like a big village. Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya, the founder of the Sinhalese race, first populated Anuradhapura. Later, it was rebuilt by King Pandukabhaya around 380 BC.