My Discoveries
Five Reasons We Love Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island paradise full of amazing sights and experiences - and they are all crammed into a space smaller than Tasmania, which means less time travelling from site to site, writes Tatyana Leonov.
1 HISTORY
There aren’t many countries in the world where you can find as many UNESCO World Heritage sites packed into such a small space as Sri Lanka. The island nation currently claims eight UNESCO marvels, including the ancient city of Sigiriya - with its Lion’s Rock, a 180-metre granite fortress that dominates the jungle from all sides and its exquisite frescos - and the sacred city of Kandy - home to the famous pilgrimage site, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, believed to house Buddha’s tooth. Of course, there are hundreds of other historical and cultural sites for the curious traveller, including majestic fortresses from the colonial era, ancient temples and ruins.
2 WILDLIFE
Sri Lanka is considered to be one of the best wildlife-watching countries in South Asia. Leopards, Asian elephants and sloth bears as well as abundant birdlife can be easily observed on safari in their natural habitats. Of the more than 20 national
parks in Sri Lanka, Yala National Park is one of the best and is recognised as having one of the highest leopard densities in the world. It is also home to 43 other exotic mammal species. 3 NATURE
Secluded powdery sandy beaches, tropical rainforests, grass-carpeted plains and soaring mountains that pierce the clouds are some of the many diverse and spectacular landscapes Sri Lanka has to offer. Whether you simply want to kick back and soak up the sunshine, or head out for an active adventure, the panoramas that surround you will astound. 4 PEOPLE
The locals love welcoming visitors with their big smiles and hospitable nature. They are relaxed, laidback and genuinely happy to share their world with those interested in learning about it. 5 TEA Sri Lankan tea is renowned around the world. The British introduced tea to the island (known as Ceylon at the time) in 1824 and since then the tea-scene has burgeoned. Tea connoisseurs can enjoy a cuppa while relaxing in a street-side cafe, join a tea-tasting appreciation class, visit a historical tea estate, or learn about the history of Ceylon tea at the Ceylon Tea Museum.