Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Attractions of the cultural capital of Sri Lanka - Kandy itinerary Accommodation in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka- a state located on the island of the same name in South Asia, not far from the southeastern coast of Hindustan, widely known as a world resort. Official name country - Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Historical dates of Sri Lanka:

• 6th century BC - the arrival of the Sinhalese from northern India to the island.
• 3rd century BC - the penetration of Buddhism on the island.
• 3rd-13th century AD - the existence on the island of large Sinhalese kingdoms with capitals in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
• 1506 - the discovery of the island of Ceylon by the Portuguese navigator Laurence d'Almeida, later - the occupation of the coast of the island by the Portuguese.
• 17th century - dominance of the Dutch on the island.
• 1802 - the island becomes a colony of the British Empire.
• 1948 - the state gains independence and is called the Dominion of Ceylon.
• 1971 - the youth uprising of the Popular Liberation Front, which failed.
• 1072 - the country ceases to be a dominion and is renamed Sri Lanka.
• Since 1983, there has been a civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam guerrilla organization and the government.
• December 2004 - Sri Lanka suffers heavy losses as a result of the tsunami. More than 38,000 people died, 6,000 went missing, and the homes of hundreds of thousands of residents were destroyed.
• May 18, 2009 - end civil war, the victory of government forces.

Geographical position Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka is located on an island in the Indian Ocean south of the peninsula Hindustan. The length of the island from south to north is 445 km, and from east to west - 225 km. The main part of the territory of the state is located in a flat area, the height of which practically does not exceed 100 m.
In the center of the island there is the Central mountain range with a height of 1000-2000 m, here is located highest point islands - Mount Pidurutalaga (2524 m), but Adam's Peak (2243 m) is more famous. Many rivers of the state flow down from the mountains, the largest of which are the Ganga, Malvanuna Oya, Kelani Ganga. Many rivers are navigable, and there are many waterfalls in the mountains, the most famous of which are Koslanda Bryda Vale (aka "Bridal Veil") and Babarakanda, which have a height of more than 200 m.
The east coast of Sri Lanka is made up of hundreds of continuous white beaches, a turquoise ocean with many coral reefs and a diverse flora.
14% of the territory of the state is occupied National parks, reservations and nature reserves, the most famous of which National Park Yala, Udawalawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Wilpatu National Park, Bundala National Park.
The southwest coast of the island is represented by continuous golden beaches, hotels and small towns, where a resort atmosphere reigns everywhere.
The city of Colombo - the capital of Sri Lanka is located on the ocean in the western part of the island.

Sri Lanka is interesting for tourists not only for its beaches, but also for its numerous attractions. There are many architectural monuments, ancient cities, royal palaces and gardens, ancient monasteries. The painting and sculpture of the country speaks of the great cultural and technological achievements of the ancient inhabitants of this island.
There are many religious shrines in Sri Lanka. These include: the holy mountain of Sri Lanka, Adam's Peak, a rock with footprints of the Buddha, the ancient royal city of Anuradhapura, the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Bo tree, under which the Buddha rested, the huge ark of Ruvanvelisiya Dagoba and others.
In the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, it will be interesting to visit the fort in the old part of the city, the Presidential Palace, the Royal Botanical Garden of Kandy, the elephant nursery, the Yami-ul-Affa mosque, the palace of the last king of Kandy.
The Lion Mountain, located in Sigiriya, is a giant monolith, on top of which there is a fortress. This attraction is interesting for many facts related to the Buddha.
Of great interest to tourists is the elephant nursery, which is regularly brought to small elephants who have suffered from poachers or left without parents.
No less interesting is a visit to the turtle farm, where every year 5 species of sea turtles come from afar to lay their eggs. All these species of turtles are protected by law.
While in Sri Lanka, you can always find a lot of exotic and even extreme entertainment: diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, rafting, fishing, camping safari, sea or river kayaking and canoeing, helicopter tour, hot air ballooning , take a safari on jeeps or even on elephants.

National features:

The national characteristics of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka have been formed for many centuries mainly under the influence of religions and, first of all, Buddhism.
In general, local residents are always friendly, friendly and ready to provide any assistance. But, going on vacation to this country, you should be aware of some rules of courtesy.
- When entering the temple, you must always take off your hat and shoes, and your back, knees and shoulders must be covered. This rule also applies to ancient, dilapidated temples.
- You can not shake hands with the monks and even touch them. You can say hello by placing the palms of your hands together and raising them to the level of your forehead. You also cannot sit on the same level with a monk, only below him. In no case should you sit if a monk is standing nearby. Front seats in public transport always reserved for monks.
- It is considered bad form to walk down the street in an embrace, holding hands and kissing in public places.
- Women are not allowed to sit in the front seat next to the driver, walk in too open clothes, sunbathe topless.
- To take a photo local residents you need to ask their permission first. You can not take pictures with the Buddha statue, standing with your back to it.
- At dinner in restaurants, men are not allowed to appear in shorts.

Traditions and customs:

In Sri Lanka, five days a week are considered working days, and days off, in addition to Saturday and Sunday, are considered full moon days, which are intended for meditation. The main religious holidays here are determined by the lunar calendar.
On February 4, Independence Day is celebrated here. Celebrations are held in Colombo at Independence Square and in Jayawardenapur in front of the new Parliament building.
Sinhalese and Tamils ​​celebrate the New Year on April 14th. This holiday is not considered religious and is celebrated everywhere in different ways. The time of the new year is always calculated by astrologers. At the appointed hour, it is customary to light a fire in the kitchen and prepare traditional kiribat and curry dishes. On this holiday, people wear new clothes and exchange gifts with each other.
Each month has its own special full moon festival.

KitchenSri Lanka:

Sri Lankan cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine is quite similar to Indian cuisine. In cooking, the same basic products are used here: fish, tropical fruits, a lot of herbs, spices.
The basis of the usual daily diet here is rice and curry. Curry is a whole group of fish dishes, various seafood, meat, poultry, legumes, vegetables and fruits, united by a peculiar combination of spices ground into powder, called curry. The essential components of the mixture include black pepper, hot chili, coriander, mustard seeds, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, corn, garlic and leaves of the evergreen curry bush. There are many variations of this mixture.
Coconut shavings, coconut oil, coconut juice and palm nectar are essential components of many Sri Lankan dishes.
In addition to curries, Sri Lankan cuisine is characterized by dishes made from rice flour, such as vermicelli or flatbread.

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Sri Lanka

An amazingly beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, which was once called Serendib, offers travelers to experience all the colors of life! Give in to the curiosity that lives within, and chance will reward you with majestic wonders of discovery ... It can be a virgin-beautiful beach, wealth historical heritage, the healing power of Ayurveda, the adrenaline of sports adventures, the exciting whirlwind of colorful festivals, the diversity of culture and culinary traditions, picturesque beauty highlands, as well as untouched wild nature with its numerous animal inhabitants. We can say that Sri Lanka is a miracle island. This is a country with the richest 2500 thousand years of unique history. 11 UNESCO protected sites are located on the island. It is here that the oldest tree on the planet grows, which is already more than 2500 years old. And finally, the goodwill, hospitality and smiles of the friendly inhabitants of the island successfully complement the enchanting beauty of this amazing country!

Capitals: Sri Jayawardenep ura Kotte and Colombo

Geographic characteristics

Sri Lanka is a state in South Asia off the southeast coast of Hindustan. Until 1972, the country was known as Ceylon. The area of ​​the island is 65.5 thousand square meters. km, and in shape the island resembles a tea drop (very symbolic) or, as some believe, a pear. 80% of the island is an unchanging plain, dissected by rocks, 20% is a mountainous country, where the height of the peaks reaches two thousand meters above sea level, and the forested slopes are dissected by stormy rivers and waterfalls.

Population

Sri Lanka is a multinational state where people of different cultures and religions live together. In total, the country has just over 21 million inhabitants. 75% of them are Sinhalese who profess Buddhism, 16% are Tamils ​​(profess Hinduism), 7% are Moors and Malays who are Muslims, and the so-called burghers live on the island (children from mixed marriages of Sri Lankans with immigrants from Europe), professing Christianity. The caste structure is clearly expressed on the island. Agricultural castes predominate, and other caste groups with traditional occupations also stand out. The lowest position in the hierarchy is occupied by the untouchable "Rodi".

Interesting facts about the capital

The official capital of Sri Lanka is not Colombo at all, as many people think. The official capital of the South Asian island state of Sri Lanka since the early 80s is Sri Jayawardenep ura-Kotte. This is the longest name of the capital of the existing ones (exceeds the Brunei Bandar Seri Bega van by as much as 6 characters). Such a complex, Orientally refined name is actually not so difficult to decipher: Sri in Sanskrit is magnificent, blessed (which gives Sri Lanka the meaning of “blessed land”); Junius Richard Jayawardene (1906 -1996) - famous Sri Lankan politician, President of Sri Lanka from 1978 to 1989, pura or pur - in many Indo-Aryan languages ​​​​means a city (example: Singapore - lion city), Kotte - the old name of the city, which it had before the transfer of administrative institutions here. During the years of existence of an independent Sri Lankan state, the hypertrophy of Colombo became defiantly noticeable, so the government decided to at least partially unload the largest urban center. In Sri Jayawardenep ura-Kotte are the residences of a number of the highest authorities of Sri Lanka (parliament, supreme court). At the same time, Colombo, the former official capital and the largest city on the island (population about 1 million inhabitants), continues to be considered the economic and actual capital. The president and the government of the country continue to work there.

Official language

Sinhalese and Tamil are considered the national languages ​​of Sri Lanka, and are also widely used English language(10% of the population owns it as a native).

Weather forecast

The average air temperature during the year in Sri Lanka ranges from 26 to 30 degrees. In the highlands in winter it can drop to 15 degrees during the day and 5 at night. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean averages around 26 degrees all year round. There is no rainy season as such, but there are periods in autumn and spring when rain can start at any time and in any part of the island. Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during the rainy summer season, from May to the end of October, mainly in the afternoon and at night. For the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the dry season lasts from October to April, and for the northeast coast from March to November.

Time

Time on the island is 2.5 hours behind Belarusian time.

What to buy

It is simply impossible to go to the amazing island of Sri Lanka and not bring anything with you, because this country is simply replete with a special culture, breathtaking landscapes and very unusual people ... Yes, the most memorable thing on the island is people, but you can’t bring them all with you , so it’s better to enjoy their company on the spot, and bring fragments of their culture with you.

Ceylon tea, that's just a must-have after traveling to the famous island. Only it is better to buy it either during excursions to tea plantations or in special shops in large cities. After all, I want to drink the best tea to my loved ones, and not a “trick” from bags.

Very attractive prices on the island for precious stones. Rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes, moonstones… and, of course, blue sapphire is considered the king of Sri Lanka. But jewelry must also be bought in specialized stores, which must issue the appropriate checks and export certificates.

And the country is also famous for batik, i.e. silk painting. Bright, colorful and pleasant to the touch products made of silk will not leave anyone indifferent.

You can also bring spices and spices (this is still Asia), handicrafts, wooden masks, leather goods, bamboo, rattan, coconut and many other materials. In cities, you can buy inexpensive, but high-quality textile products of famous world brands of local production. The best places to shop in Colombo are Odel, House of Fashion, Magestic City stores.

In which corner of Sri Lanka to relax

Most of Sri Lanka's beach resorts are located south of the country's capital, Colombo.

Negombo is a popular tourist resort located about 12 km from Sri Lanka Airport, north of Colombo. Negombo is a fishing village, but it is sure to be remembered by any traveler. Negombo is very popular among fish and seafood lovers. Fishermen catch an incredible amount of shrimp, lobster and crabs here. All these seafood are skillfully cooked on an open fire in numerous taverns located right on the beach. Well, lovers of romance can leave the beach, against which the foamy waves of the sea beat, and go in search of beautiful lagoons.

The city of Polonnaruwa is an ideal non-beach resort for lovers sightseeing holiday. It is located in the central part of the country, so all the main sightseeing trails are accessible from here.

Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, located on the southwest coast of the island. It is famous for its five-star hotels, which are good for both comfortable living and business. The hotels are equipped full range services - restaurants, swimming pools, fitness centers, conference rooms, business centers, nightclubs and much more, necessary for a comfortable and unforgettable stay.

Mount Lavinia is located 12 km south of Colombo. The highlight of the resort are the famous beaches, which gained their popularity back in the days of the English colony, mainly due to the proximity to the capital. Those wishing to spend a quiet day on the beach in relative seclusion (compared to Colombo) will definitely like it here. Here, dry clean sand, crystal water and calm sea.

Kalutara is a place ideal for practicing all kinds of water sports. Windsurfing, water skiing, spearfishing and even sailing are especially common. The city stands on the "Black River" Kalu Ganga, one of the largest on the island. To the north of the bridge that connects the two banks of the Kalu Ganga, there is a very nice beach with several luxury hotels and a water entertainment center. Kalutara is not a cheap resort, budget tourists have nothing to “catch” here.

Hikkaduwa is a popular resort that was the first in Sri Lanka to receive foreign tourists. Wadduwa got its name from the famous local doctors or veda doova. It is Hikkaduwa that is considered the best dive resort in all of Sri Lanka, so the standard picture of these places is a breathtaking view of numerous surfers conquering the waves with might and main ...

Bentota is a resort for romantics. Very often this place is chosen by newlyweds for honeymoon trip. Rivers and seas flow together here, and at the place of their intersection there is the most famous local beach, sheltering its vacationers from the heat with branches of coconut palms. The beach is conveniently located also because there are several good hotels, and from hotels it is already easy to get to shops, and to cafes, discos and even railway- everything is nearby!

Weligama or "Sand Village" has found its place under the sun in a large picturesque bay, the beauty of which can be enjoyed for hours, is better at sunset and in its eastern part. There is also the headquarters of surfers who really appreciate the local waves. In the opposite direction, in the west, the opposite is true - the water is quiet, calm and azure-clear, like a royal sapphire.

Tangalle is famous for its magnificent yet deserted beaches, which are considered among the best in Sri Lanka for giving the skin a chocolate shade. On the southwestern coast of the island it is difficult to find a place like this. Here you can not meet a single person, walking along the picturesque coast, stretching for several kilometers. In addition, this resort offers all types of accommodation - from budget apartments to exclusive hotels.

What to see

Holidays in Sri Lanka are not bathing and felting. This is the knowledge of such a distant, mysterious and sometimes completely incomprehensible culture. Of course, the numerous sights of the country will help in this.

Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, has been a busy seaport since the Middle Ages. Merchants from China, Persia and Morocco sold and bought pearls, precious stones, spices, elephants here. Later, Colombo was captured by the Dutch, the Portuguese, the British, and all of them left their mark on the appearance of this almost 1 million city. Many churches and monuments are built in the European medieval style. The sights of modern Colombo are impressive Hindu and Buddhist temples, a national museum, one of the best zoos in Asia, Dehiwela, and large shopping centers. Tourists visiting Colombo in February can attend the traditional Navam parade. On this day, believers come to bow to the shrines of the main Buddhist temple of Colombo, and the largest elephant carries the holy relics on its back.

Anuradhapura is the largest city of ancient Ceylon and its first capital. There are 2 objects here world heritage. The first is the sacred Bo tree, which, according to legend, was grown more than 2250 years ago from the shoot of the same tree, under which Prince Siddhartha was enlightened. The second is the famous bronze palace built 2000 years ago by King Duthugamunu.

The majestic Mount Sigiriya (protected by UNESCO) is one of the main attractions of Ceylon. Built on it in the 5th century stone fortress was a safe haven for the king. The remains of a mirror wall, gardens, fountains, and pools are still preserved here. After a short climb to the top between the giant lion's paws carved into the rock, your eyes will open 11 amazing frescoes of that time - half-naked dancers. The images are applied with vegetable paints, which still - for 15 centuries - retain their brightness.

In Pollonaruwa, the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sinhalese state have been preserved. Here you can see the remains of a palace that once shone with splendor. The Watadage Temple is the best preserved. Four statues of the seated Buddha face the entrance to the temple.

The majestic mountains of Dambulla (protected by UNESCO) evoke a sense of closeness to the past. This monastery was built in the 1st century BC and is still in operation. Here, in amazing cave temples, the largest of which reaches 50 m in width and 6 m in height, there are more than 200 Buddha statues. The walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes, which are masterpieces of temple wall painting.

Nuwara Eliya is a mountain resort in the heart of the island, a favorite vacation spot for British officials. A winding road leads into the city, surrounded by waterfalls, and the air is clean and cool. Everything here is built in the English style - houses, buildings, golf courts, so Nuwara Eliya has earned the name "little England". On the nearby mountain slopes (2000 m above sea level) the best black tea in the world is grown.

Kandy is located 100 km northeast of Colombo. There is an artificial lake in the middle of the city. In this ancient capital of the Sinhalese kings, the traditions and art of the Sinhalese reached their fullest flowering and have survived to this day. The main attraction of Kandy is the Dalada Maligava temple, built on the shore of the lake. Here, under a golden canopy, lies an ancient relic - the Sacred Tooth of Buddha. Every year in late July - early August, the Perahera festival is held here. At night, a festive dance procession begins with torches, drums, eighty decorated elephants, fire-eaters are especially impressive.

Galle South Fort is one of the most amazing and original cities of the island, where all the religions represented in Sri Lanka coexist peacefully. Along the way, you can visit the mask factory at Amnalamgoda, where you can get acquainted with the traditions and beliefs of the Sri Lankan people through the art of woodcarving and painting masks. Here you can also buy souvenirs.

Not far from the resort of Bentota, in Kozgod, there are 5 species of sea turtles. Nearby are special farms where eggs laid by turtles are collected, and after hatching, they feed small turtles and release them into the sea. You can watch this process. On the farm, you can see both newborn turtles and adults.

The city of Hikkaduwa on the south coast is also called the "coral sanctuary". Coral reefs attract divers with a variety of fish and turtles. In the crystal clear water, snorkel and mask are enough to see the delightful bright colors of the underwater world. Here you can also admire the fabulous underwater world, riding a boat with a transparent bottom.

The most famous of the national parks is Yala. The territory of the park is a savannah with small lakes. Interesting scenes of meetings of deer, wild boars and water birds usually develop here. A characteristic feature of the park are large, scattered throughout its territory mountain ranges- a favorite refuge of leopards and bears. In this park, you can also easily observe wild elephants (especially from January to May).

Sri Lanka - an island formerly called Ceylon, is a delightful place that attracts tourists with its exoticism, excellent landscapes, colorful sunsets, impenetrable jungles and the splashing of the Indian Ocean. However, in addition to the extensive opportunities for relaxing on the beach, there is a unique place, having visited which you will see the island from the inside, get acquainted with its sights, many of which are under the protection of UNESCO.

You can join the delightful past of this incredible region by visiting the so-called cultural triangle of Ceylon, also called the Golden Triangle of the island.

If you take a break from the magnificent ocean for at least a couple of days and go to the central regions of Sri Lanka, then it is here that you can find the three historical capitals of Celon: Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. These cities form the peaks of the Cultural Triangle. However, not only these settlements serve as places worthy of attention. This also includes ancient city Sigiriya, the cave temple of Dambulla, Mihintale - the cradle of Ceylon Buddhism, the ruins of Nalanda and many other small attractions scattered in the central part of Ceylon.

The most sacred center of Sri Lanka and the first point in the triangle, which should be visited, is the city of Anuradhapura. It was he who was the first capital of Sri Lanka and it is with him that the beginning of the spread of Buddhism on the island is associated. This is evidenced by various Buddhist sanctuaries - temples, stupas and palaces, erected as early as the 4th century BC. Near Anuradhapura is the city of Mihintale, where, according to legend, Buddhism appeared on Mount Mahinda in Ceylon. This mountain is one of the most sacred places on the island, where numerous pilgrimages are made.

An exceptional monument of its kind, included in the triangle, is, no doubt, Sigiriya. It's worth a visit anyway. Just imagine: on the top of a cliff 200 meters high are the ruins of the palace of the ruler Kasyapa.

There is something to admire in Dambulla - a rocky Buddhist monastic complex, which is already over 2 thousand years old.

Another ancient capital in the triangle is Polonnaruwa, which continued to be the main city of the island from the 11th-13th centuries. Today this place is the ruins of palaces, temples, houses.

And, finally, the former capital city of Kandy, which is still cultural center throughout Sri Lanka. It should be noted that this is a modern city with ancient traditions. One of the most important cultural and religious attractions of Kandy is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, within the walls of which a relic is kept - the tooth of the great founder of Buddhism. It was preserved after the cremation of the body of the Buddha. In the summer, during the Esala Perahera festival, thousands and thousands of pilgrims and travelers come here.

Sri Lanka is such a diverse region that there is something for everyone to taste, but one should not forget about the national cuisine. During your journey through the Cultural Triangle, you can enjoy it to the fullest.

How to travel the Cultural Triangle

It will take at least a week to visit all the main famous sites in the triangle. However, with a lack of time, you can visit at least the main points. Shortened excursion programs lasting a couple of days are offered, during which travelers are introduced to Dambulla, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. Sometimes the tour can be supplemented with a visit to Kandy and Pollonaruwa, however, the duration of the tour increases to 5-7 days.

If you went on a trip on your own in order to visit and get acquainted in detail with all the memorable objects in the triangle, then this can be done quite simply. All settlements and main attractions here are connected by bus service. Buses run quite often, but only during the daytime. It is quite possible to visit everywhere, having previously planned your route in detail. A bus ride can cost from 30 to 300 rupees depending on the distance between different cities.

An excellent way to visit all the objects of the triangle is to rent a car. It is advisable to rent a car together with a driver. You can visit all the objects of the triangle in 5 days on a rented car with a driver for 200-500 USD, depending on the specific conditions of the trip. If you can drive a motorcycle, then renting it will cost 7-10 USD per day, in particular, in Kandy. You can visit all places in the triangle and return the bike back.

Entrance fee

You don't have to pay anything to be in the Cultural Triangle itself. And to visit most of the attractions, you need to pay a fee, while the prices are very high.

Previously, a single ticket was used to visit the triangle, which included visits to most of the notable objects, but today it is no longer used. Currently, each attraction must be paid separately.

Here are the prices for admission only to the territory of the main attractions:

Sigiriya - 30 usd;
- Anuradhapura - 30 usd;
- Pollonaruwa - 25 usd;
- Dambulla - 12 usd.

In addition, you must pay extra for visiting museums and some shrines, even inside the site where these tickets are valid.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital- the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Square– 65,610 sq. km.
Population- 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Date of Independence (from UK)- February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94

At the official level, the country is called Democratic socialist republic Sri Lanka. The state is located in the south of Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the moment when the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. Here is the residence of the President of the country and the government sits. Dondra is the southern cape of the island, Dutch Bay is the western one.

Sri Lanka - video

Sri Lanka is bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Polk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a shallow in the Polk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. Mountain ranges are located in the center of the country, the relief of the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The highest mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The subequatorial monsoon climate of the island is due to the northeast and southwest monsoons blowing throughout the year.
Most major rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the state census conducted in the summer of 2013, about 21.6 million people live in the country. On a national basis, one can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils ​​(about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). In religious terms, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7% respectively.

The calling card of the country is tea. In terms of its production, Sri Lanka is the third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of exports (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get by bus to any corner of the island, but traveling in it will bring little pleasure due to dirt, dust, crush and low speed (no more than 45 km / h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be ordered in advance at bus stations or transport agencies.

It is worth mentioning the railway transport of the island. Railway communication connects large. The trains have cars of different classes with and without air conditioning. On one of the routes, the world-famous restored train runs, which was built back in 1928. Sri Lanka has international Airport Bandaranaike, located about 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military one.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Waterfall Bambarakanda

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea was first grown here on an industrial scale - James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, did this, planting about 80 hectares of land with tea.

1. In Sri Lanka, internal conflicts often occur, so do not be surprised at the large number of military on the streets and roadblocks. Railway stations and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and at the entrance all passengers must present identification documents. In the southern part of the country, the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.

2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, as all dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. Sauces should be chosen carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to drink it with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened bread.

3. If you have a desire to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, because here it is done a little differently than in Europe.

4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with which they bring small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

5. Do not be afraid if you are offered to buy light drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the death penalty for the distribution and possession of drugs.

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. Vegetables are best scalded with boiling water. Water should only be drunk from plastic bottles with factory caps.

7. The inhabitants of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into obsession (this applies mainly to local street vendors and guides).

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. It is strictly forbidden to hunt animals and collect corals here.

9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabrics in light colors. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.

10. When visiting temples, you need to take off your shoes and hats. It is forbidden to enter such places in short skirts and shorts, as well as with bare shoulders and back. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of your shoes to others, do not photograph the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.

11. It is not necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for the service or lunch.

12. The voltage in the local electrical network is 230-240V, and the sockets are installed with three pins, so you need to purchase a special adapter to use them.

Fly on Ceylon just to swim in the Indian Ocean and bask in the sun, it makes no sense, if only because, apart from the jungle and endless beaches, there are many interesting things on the island.
To begin at least with the fact that for centuries Sri Lanka 8 (!) capitals have changed. As a result, seven of the 130 world historical treasures protected by UNESCO are located here: Adam's Peak - the famous mountain, shaped like a pyramid, over the mirages of which scientists have been racking their brains for years; A priceless relic for Buddhists - the Tooth of the Buddha; The Bo Tree is the oldest historically documented tree on Earth.
It is best to start your journey from today's capital - Colombo. This city was founded by the Arabs, and in 1517 the Portuguese built a fort here, in 1948 Colombo became the capital of the state Ceylon, and in 1972 the Republic Sri Lanka. The mixture of cultures affected its appearance: Eastern temples are adjacent to mosques and Catholic cathedrals; colonial mansions with skyscrapers, and huge shopping centers with small shops. Unlike the resort areas of the island, there are practically no Europeans on the streets of Colombo, usually in these cases there is no discomfort, and only children can be surprised with an “exotic” appearance.
Actually on Sri Lanka 2 capitals: Colombo and administrative Jayawaranapura. The first capital of the island known to us was Anuradhapura, located in the north of the island. It is worth going here to see one of the highest weapons built in antiquity - a stupa 120 meters high, as well as the sacred Bo tree for Buddhists.
In the center Sri Lanka is the golden triangle of Polonnaruwa-Singiriya-Dambulla. They are several hours away from each other. They are located in the middle of the jungle, so there is a high probability of meeting elephants, monkeys, mongooses, snakes on your way, in the evening you often have to brush off bats. All these horrors are redeemed by the beauty that can be seen here.
In Polonnoruv there are four huge statues of Buddha, carved right into the granite rocks, which are one of the most famous rock groups in the world. Here, right in the middle of the jungle, there are the ruins of ancient palaces, bathhouses, chapels, as well as Buddhist and Hindu temples. Not far from Polannoruwa is the 12th century Parakrama Samudra reservoir, which is still considered one of the largest reservoirs of the entire island.
Rock - fortress Singiriya - one of the most legendary places on the island. No one knows how a huge block could appear in the middle of the plain. Another miracle of Singiriya that is worth seeing is the “mirror corridor”, the walls of which are somehow polished to a mirror shine in some unknown way. From the top of the cliff offers stunning views of the surroundings.
Another city worth visiting is Kandy, it is the cultural capital Sri Lanka. All over the world, it is famous primarily due to the Dalala Maligawa Temple, where the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha is kept. After the attack on the shrine by terrorists, the Tooth was hidden from prying eyes in a chest weighing 120 kg. Only once a year at the beginning of August, during the ten-day holiday of Perahera, a particle of Buddha leaves the temple, the casket is taken out on an elephant, which is accompanied by dozens of his brothers, decorated with bells, hundreds of torchbearers, musicians, acrobats and dancers. For Buddhists, this holiday is one of the most significant of the year, and therefore attracts thousands of tourists to Kandy.
Just four kilometers from the city is the Royal Botanical Garden, one of the largest in Asia and the most beautiful in the world. There are more than 170 species of ornamental orchids in the palm grove.
The main thing to remember about Sri Lanka- carefully look not only around, but also under your feet, because the fauna here is very rich, and anything can crawl below.
On the island Ceylon so good that you want to follow the example of Arthur Clarke and stay here forever. After all, on Sri Lanka the most beautiful sunsets, and according to one of the legends, the Garden of Eden is located here. About what's on Ceylon once there was a paradise, Chekhov said, but he showed steadfastness and did not stay on the island.