World heritage sites in sri lanka map
Golden Temple of Dambulla (also known as Dambulla Cave temple) is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, which has five caves and 157 statues of the Lord Buddha.
Top Tip: The dense vegetation makes animals difficult to spot and drier months (August to September, and January to early April) are the best times to visit.ĭambulla Cave temple is Sri Lanka's largest rockcave temple built on a 600-feet high rock. Sinharaja is the country's last undisturbed area of primary tropical rainforest and home to an abundance of rare endemic species including mammals, butterflies, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Translated as "Kingdom of the Lion", Sinharaja Forest Reserve is an important national park of Sri Lanka and has been declared a Biosphere Reserve due to its significance to the island's ecosystem. Top Tip: A fantastic way to see the old town is from atop the fortress walls at dusk. Dutch Reformed Church, National Maritime Museum, Old Dutch Hospital and the New Orient Hotel are the major landmarks within the fort. Houses with art decoration from the Dutch and British period can be seen on the street, many of which have become boutique shops and guest houses.
There are two main gates to the Fort, containing the Dutch Coat of Arms on one side and the British on the other. Built by Europeans, the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications show the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions. Galle is the main city and port on the south coast. Galle's church with the appearance of European style Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (1988) You can get a taste of Kandy cultural dance as well.ĥ. Top Tip: The rail journey from Colombo to Kandy is highly recommended. As one of the most beautiful cities of Sri Lanka, it is famous for its scenic beauty and rich cultural value. In addition, Kandy is a city set in forested hills and surrounded by tea plantations. If you visit city in July or August, you can experience Kandy Esala Perehera, an annual ritual of the Sacred Tooth Temple. Kandy is generally recognized as Sri Lanka's cultural capital and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, one of Sri Lanka's holiest shrines. The tooth in the Temple of the Tooth is revered by Buddhists worldwide. Top Tip: Polonnaruwa is much more compact and you are suggested to visit it by bike, or have to be prepared for 6-10 kilometers of walk. Its fabulous art, splendid medieval architecture, great irrigation facilities and green environment present a unique Polonnaruwa to travelers.īesides, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is considered as one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in Sri Lanka, including the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas and the monumental ruins of garden city constructed by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, after the first capital of Anuradhapura. Top Tip: The ruins of Anuradhapura are more scattered and you should select some to visit. This ancient city is renowned one of the world's major archaeological sites and boasts the most unearthed Buddha's relics according to historical records. It also contains the holy 2,000-year-old Bo Tree, grown from a sapling of the Bhodi tree under which the lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
There are some well preserved ruins of ancient palaces, monasteries and monuments attracting visitors to explore. Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982)Īnuradhapura is the cradle of ancient Sri Lankan civilization and the sacred centre of the island's Buddhism. 12-Day Best of Sri Lanka: Heritage, Tea Plantation & Wildlife Safari Negombo - Sigiriya - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Yala - Galle - Bentota - Colombo View Details 2.