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    Tourist Attractions in Sri Lanka

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Photos and a brief description.

    About Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka is a real paradise for tourists. Wonderful beaches, untouched lush green hills, majestic waterfalls, underwater corals, the wildlife of the island beckon to you. Historical monuments, places of religious pilgrimage, exotic cuisine, picturesque landscapes, amazing cultural heritage – there are not many places in the world that can reward a tourist with such an impressive experience.

    The tropical island is located in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Hindustan. For a long time the country was called Ceylon. The city of Colombo is widely known as the capital of the state, but in fact its suburb is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

    All tourist destinations in Sri Lanka can boast of a wide range of opportunities. In the Kandy Valley, touch the shrine of Sri Dalada Maligawa and enjoy the aromas of the gardens of Peradeniya. In the cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, marvel at the unprecedented archaeological monuments, then contemplate and enjoy the views in the villages of Nuwara Eliya. Stroll along the golden beaches of Unawatuna, watch whales in Mirissa or Kalpitiya. And, of course, plunge into the world of wildlife in Wilpattu and Yala parks.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Sri Lanka

    Adam's Peak

    This is the name of the mountain located in the western part of the island. Its height is 2243 meters. At the top of the peak there is a small temple, Buddhists consider this place sacred. From the top you can see the "footprint of the Buddha" — a large impression on the surface of the rock, the outlines are similar to the footprint of a human foot. The ascent is quite difficult, but every year thousands of tourists and pilgrims overcome this route.

    Adam's Peak
    Sigiriya

    Sigiriya

    The Sigiriya World Heritage Site is a massive rocky plateau rising above the surrounding plain to a height of 170 meters. At the end of the 5th century, a fortress was built on top of the cliff by King Kasapa, and gardens with fountains were laid out around. Later there was a monastery here. On the walls of the mountain, a few frescoes have been preserved – images of naked female concubines.

    Golden Temple of Dambulla

    This is a stone cave temple – the largest in South Asia. The sacred place of pilgrimage is located on the top of a mountain among a picturesque forest. There are more than 150 Buddha statues in the caves, 73 of them are covered with gold. Numerous cave walls are covered with unique Buddhist wall paintings.

    Golden Temple of Dambulla

    Kandy Valley

    A stunning, picturesque valley surrounded by high mountains and decorated with bends of the silvery waters of the Mahaveli Ganga River. In the very center of the valley is the city of the same name, which was once the capital of Sri Lanka.

    Cumana National Park

    The park is located on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka, 391 kilometers from Colombo. This is one of the most important places of migration, nesting and breeding of birds on the island. Kunama is known for its picturesque lagoons and plains, there is a beautiful lake Cumana-Villa in the park. Today, the park is at the stage of its initial development, campsites, hotels and a tourist center are being built here.

    Cumana National Park
    Yala National Park

    Yala National Park

    The second largest national park in Sri Lanka, part of the park borders the Indian Ocean. The area is about a thousand hectares. Jeep safari is organized here – a great opportunity to get acquainted with the local flora and fauna, which is very similar to the natural parks of Africa. The nearest town of Tissamaharama is 24 kilometers away.

    Colombo Port

    The city of Colombo, the largest in Sri Lanka, is a kind of commercial capital of the island. The largest seaport in South Asia is located here. Next to it is the area called Fort – a business center with a large number of shops, hotels, banks, restaurants and entertainment venues.

    St. Clair's Falls

    St. Clair's Falls

    The St. Clair Waterfall is part of the Kotmale River, it drops its waters from a height of 80 meters among the picturesque tea plantations that gave the waterfall the same name. The width of the waterfall is 50 meters. In terms of height, it is located only in the third ten in the list of waterfalls in Sri Lanka. But its beauty attracts a large number of sophisticated contemplatives.

    World Trade Center in Colombo

    The height of the Colombo World Trade Center is 152 meters, it is the tallest building on the island. The twin towers have 40 floors, and there is another tower next to them — the Bank of Ceylon. There are towers in the business district of Fort. Nearby is the Galle Face Green promenade, a favorite of locals.

    World Trade Center in Colombo

    Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha

    The sacred relic of Sri Lanka - the Tooth of the Buddha is located in the temple of the same name in the city of Kandy. The tooth (one of the four teeth cremated after the death of the Buddha) was transported from India to the island in 371. The Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tooth is credited with magical power, detractors have repeatedly tried to destroy it.

    Royal Botanical Garden in Paradenia

    One of the best in Asia and the largest green park on the island, its area is almost 60 hectares. The Botanical Garden is divided into thematic zones, located on the banks of the Mahaveli River in a beautiful hilly area. The garden is well known all over the world for its rich collections of plants. The year of foundation is considered to be 1821 (the time of the arrival of the British), although the first mentions refer to the distant 1371.

    Pinnawela Elephant Shelter

    Pinnawela Elephant Shelter

    The elephant nursery was opened in 1975 in order to give shelter to baby elephants who were left without parents. Then there were only seven baby elephants. Now there are about 80 of them, including those born already in the nursery. Pinnawela is a very popular attraction in Sri Lanka, elephants are trained and trained here, and tourists have the opportunity to contact them very closely.

    Pinnawela Zoo

    Most recently, on April 17, 2015, a zoo opened next to the Pinnawela Nursery. This is the second zoo in Sri Lanka, but the first one that is located in the open air. The territory of 17 hectares has become home to many endemic animals of the island. Construction continues, more than 862 million Sri Lankan rupees have already been spent on the work.

    Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations

    Nuwara Eliya Tea Plantations

    The area called Nuwara Eliya is located at the foot of the highest mountain of the island. There are many SPA and golf hotels here, Nuwara Eliya is famous all over the world as a zone of gastronomic and eco-tourism. People come here to learn tea traditions and admire the beauty of nature.

    Dutch Fort in Halle

    The fort was built by the Dutch in 1663 on the site of a destroyed Portuguese fortress. In the 16th century, this place was an important strategic trading port. The fort has been perfectly preserved to this day, many residential and administrative buildings are located on its territory today as well as several centuries ago. The streets are well preserved, there are interesting sights.

    Dutch Fort in Halle
    Victoria Dam

    Victoria Dam

    The hydraulic structure is located upstream from the mouth of the Maaveli River. Construction began in 1978, and was solemnly completed in 1985. It is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the country. Approximately 30,000 people had to be relocated during construction.

    Negombo Beach

    They often stop here in the last days of their trip to Sri Lanka. The beach and the resort of the same name are located just seven kilometers from the international airport. In Negombo, you can buy souvenirs and visit local restaurants that are famous for seafood dishes. There are many hotels on the beach, and water sports are popular here.

    Bentota Beaches

    Bentota Beaches

    An extensive resort area with numerous hotels and a long beach on the southwest coast of the island. Bentota has the status of a national resort, so it strives to match this status. Near the coast, the Bentota River flows in the shade of mangroves, and this is an opportunity to diversify your beach vacation with boat trips along the river.

    Ravana Waterfall

    The height of the waterfall is about 25 meters. It is located near the city of Ella, from there you can get to the waterfall by bus. The journey time is about 15 minutes, the public transport stop is right at the foot of the waterfall.

    The Holy City of Anuradhapura

    The Holy City of Anuradhapura

    The archaeological sites are located in the Old Town of Anuradhapura, it is separated by the Aruvi River from the tourist and residential area (New Town). The historical monuments of Anuradhapura are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The temple and the Mahabodhi tree are considered to be a special sacred place.

    Mihintale Mountain Park

    Very close to Anuradhapura there is another interesting attraction – the Mihintale mountain range. This is a historical place with many remnants of Buddhist buildings. There are 1850 steps leading to the top of the mountain, from above you can see how big the monastery complex that used to exist here was.

    Mihintale Mountain Park
    The ancient city of Polonnaruwa

    The ancient city of Polonnaruwa

    The ancient city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most interesting places on the island, storing majestic archaeological monuments preserved from the time of the first rulers of the Kingdom. The stone temple of Gal Vihara, which is four statues of Buddha carved in the rock, is of the greatest interest.