Top Ten Places to visit in Sri Lanka

Top Ten Places to visit in Sri Lanka

• Anuradhapura
• Colombo
• Galle
• Jaffna
  
• Kandy
• Negombo
• Nuwara Eliya
• Polonnaruwa
• Sigiriya
• Trincomalee

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Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura was made the royal capital by the king Panduk Anhaya in 380 BC. This city is home to many of the earliest grandest monuments of Sri Lanka.

In the 3rd Century BC the missionary Mahinda son of the North-Indian emperor Asoka brought the teachings of Buddha to Anuradhapura, which has to this day influenced Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the form of the Theravada school. After the conversion of the kingdom to Buddhism an extraordinary age of cultural ascendancy and common wealth started.

As a Buddhist stronghold Anuradhapura became famous and was honoured far across the region, as result there were innumerable processions of pilgrims to the holy city. The reason of all these pilgrims for coming was the presence of the holy Bo-tree, which was grown form a branch of the very tree under which the Lord Buddha found enlightenment, as well as to visit the Thuparama dagoba which should contain as a relic the collarbone from the Lord Buddha.

You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest Dagoba of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree.

Colombo

Colombo is the commercial centre of Sri Lanka and the only gateway to the splendid island . In the 16th Century when the Portuguese arrived, Colombo was a small trading post. They immediately realized the important strategic value of Colombo in order to dominate the coastal region. Protected by an impressive fortress they developed the harbour and the town. From those fortifications nothing much its left.

Colombo’s tourist attractions include old churches, temples, the old parliament, Independence Building and the National Museum, The Gallface Green is once a seaside race course now an open-air ground where locals flock for strolls in the evenings.

Negombo

Negombo situated by the shores of a lagoon and the major beach resort on the west-coast north of Colombo. Here, in an old world atmosphere of 17th Century churches and forts; dozens and dozens of hotels, guest houses restaurants and bars have sprung up along the beach. Beside luxury hotels are small, very simple guests houses. What is left from the former fishing village, you can explore at the Negombo lagoon with its many outrigger canoes.

Negombo is close to the International Airport. Fine sandy beaches of Negombo has been mostly unexplored but less crowded as most tourists use the town for the first or the last night of their stay in Sri Lanka. Other attractions in the area include many old church buildings, their feasts dedicated to various saints if you happen to be around at the correct time and the fisheries port.

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations in the central mountains. It is Sri Lanka's premier hill resort and heart of the tea industry. Splendid scenery and fine bracing mountain climate. Temperature average 10° C.

Many of Sri Lanka high mountain peaks including the highest Pidurutalagala (2524 m) are located in this district. Excellent walks and drives, exceptionally good golf on the 18 hole course, one of the best in Asia. Trout hatchery, gardens of flowers, fruits and vegetables, not commonly associated with Sri Lanka, Hakgala Botanical Gardens famous for its collection of roses and the rare fernery.

Nuwara Eliya offers many activities for tourists including visits to Tea plantations, Golfing, Horse riding, Boating, Hiking and of course exploring the beauty of the landscaped gardens, waterfalls and plateaus.

Horton Plains Nuwara Eliya