soul of asia

With its rich culture and natural fauna and flora, Sri Lanka is a travellers delight

Sri Lanka is a holidaymakers dream come true. From its breathtaking mountains with verdant tea gardens to beaches with surf roaring waves — the country offers something to everyone. Travellers to the island nation are spoilt for choice. You can relax in gardens or simply acquiesce in to the aura of one of the island’s many rejuvenating spas.

Some of the country’s best tourism destinations include:

Sigiriya (Lion stone)

An ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in central Matale district of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is a World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO. The stone lion in front of the fort entrance is nearly 600 feet tall, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and plains. The area is adorned with vibrant green tropical vegetation.

Kandy

The hill capital of Sri Lanka is known for its traditional markets, arts and crafts centres and gemstone manufacturing. The temple of the sacred tooth relic in Kandy holds the annual Perahera ceremony to parade golden caskets. Legend has it that Buddha’s tooth was brought to Sri Lanka centuries back. Kandy is usually associated with arts and crafts. The beautiful 110-kilometre hill country rail line from Colombo to Kandy is a must-see for any bag packer.

Nuwara Eliya (City of Light)

Located on a plateau surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and tea plantations, Nuwarya Eliya is famous for producing the world’s most flavoursome tea. Tourists flock the province for its salubrious climate, breathtaking views, valleys, meadows and lush greenery. Many important buildings in Nuwarya Eliya like the Queen’s Cottage, General’s House, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, Town Post Office and even hotels have distinct British architecture.

Colombo

The capital city of Sri Lanka is filled with historical and religious places of significance. Its strategic location on the seafront makes Colombo an epicentre of government, business and entertainment. Dotted by British heritage and English-style buildings, the capital has an array of attractions to offer. Tourists can visit Mount Lavinia located towards the south of Colombo. Famous for its Golden Mile of beach, it is a great place to unwind. The Attidiya Bird Sanctuary in Colombo, rich with natural biodiversity, is a resting place for more than 40 species of waterfowls. Galle Face Green is Colombo’s most elegant boulevard.