An island state located in South Asia near the place where the Indian subcontinent ends. The name of the country is translated from Sanskrit as "blessed land". True, until 1972 this state was called differently - Ceylon. So this place was marked on their maps by Europeans who colonized the island in the early 16th century.

The population of the island is about 21.5 million people, the vast majority of whom practice Buddhism. More than a million tourists visit the country every year. The best time for a holiday in Sri Lanka is from November to April, when the northeast wind prevails here, bringing with it warm and dry weather. From May to October, the island is dominated by wet monsoons. During this period, there are almost continuously tropical showers, and beach holidays are complicated by high waves.

What is remarkable about a holiday in Sri Lanka? Here you can look at the majestic Buddhist temples, ride an elephant, try real Ceylon tea, sunbathe on the beach, go diving, surfing or rafting. But today we will not talk about that. We have prepared for you 8 interesting sights that you should definitely see on the island of Sri Lanka.

One of the four teeth of the Buddha, preserved after the cremation of his body, is kept here. This relic came to Ceylon in 371 and since then has been carefully guarded by representatives of the royal dynasty. The temple is located on the territory of the royal palace and is open to all who wish to bow to the shrine. Of course, you will not see the tooth itself, since it is under reliable protection. It is taken out of the temple only once a year. During the colorful festival of Esala Perahera, which takes place in August.

In addition to the famous tooth, in the Dalada Maligawa temple, it is worth looking at the Buddha figurine made of solid emerald, as well as ancient manuscripts.

The botanical garden is located 6 kilometers from the city of Kandy. Its area is more than 60 hectares. Here you can walk surrounded by exotic trees, flowers, palm groves and bamboo thickets. Noteworthy are the huge pavilions with orchids and cacti, as well as the Japanese garden. Hundreds of colorful tropical birds and funny monkeys live in the garden and are not afraid to approach tourists. In addition, in the botanical garden you can see plants planted by famous people, such as the iron tree of Nicholas II, the ficus of the English king Edward VII and Yuri Gagarin's spruce.

When visiting Sri Lanka, be sure to look at the world's oldest sacred tree, which is over 23 centuries old. According to Buddhist beliefs, the Bo Tree grew from a shoot taken from the ficus Budha Goya, under which insight descended on Siddhartha Gautama, and he became the Buddha.

The Bo tree is located on the territory temple complex Anuradhapura-vihara. It is surrounded by a fence of gold and carefully guarded. A huge number of pilgrims from all over the world come here, dreaming of getting a leaf that has fallen from a sacred tree.

The temple is located near the ancient Sri Lankan capital. It was built, or rather carved into the rock in the 2nd century BC. A giant rock mass hangs over the temple complex, which impresses even experienced travelers. At the foot of the cliff, guests are greeted by a huge statue of Buddha, and a staircase of amazing wavy shape, strewn with flowers, leads to the temple.

Dambulla Temple is rightfully considered one of the richest places of worship, its luxury is amazing. More than 150 Buddha statues are kept here, more than half of which are covered with gold. One of the caves is famous for the fact that drops of water rise up its walls from a source and, gathering under the ceiling, fall into a golden bowl below.

You should be very careful on the territory of the complex - thousands of monkeys feel very at ease here and are not averse to profiting from the contents of your purse or stealing a camera.

From time immemorial, elephants in Sri Lanka are considered sacred animals. You can see with your own eyes how these smart animals live in the state elephant nursery in Pinnawala. Here the most comfortable conditions for living of elephants are created. Tourists are shown both adult animals and small elephants, which can be fed, of course, for a fee and at a strictly allotted time for this. If you are lucky, you will see elephants bathing, during which they behave not like sedate giants, but like small children splashing water and wallowing in mud. Since all the inhabitants of the nursery come here for a reason, but due to injuries and other unfavorable circumstances, the money received for the tickets goes to the maintenance of the animals.

Connoisseurs of spicy aromas will certainly want to visit the Spice Garden, located in the town of Mathai, not far from Kandy. Here you can see how spicy plants grow, which we used to see ready-made in our kitchen.

During the tour, garden workers will tell you how to use spices correctly, how to prepare medicines and cosmetics from them. There is a shop here where you can buy your favorite spices, get advice from an Ayurvedic specialist, and even visit a relaxing massage session using rare oils and herbs.

A place with such a frightening name is located near Dikwella beach. This landmark of Sri Lanka is also called the “Breath of the Whale”. An unusual natural phenomenon is caused by the fact that ocean waves, falling into a deep rift between rocks, break out from there and rush upwards like a grandiose fountain, reaching a height of 30 meters. The action is accompanied by loud sounds, reminiscent of the voice of a giant whale. The only thing to consider is that the natural phenomenon can only be observed in strong winds. On the way here you will see many picturesque villages and get acquainted with the life of the local population.

The reserve is located in the upper reaches of the three largest rivers of Sri Lanka, eight kilometers from Ohiya. In addition to the luxurious tropical nature and the diversity of the animal world, here you can see an attraction called "The End of the World." This is an absolutely vertical cliff with a height of more than 1300 meters, from the top of which a stunning view of the gorge and the river bed opens. Experienced tourists recommend coming to the observation deck early in the morning, when in the light of the first rays of the rising sun a thick fog rises from the bottom of the gorge, creating the feeling that you are really at the very end of the world.

What to see in Sri Lanka: sights of the island

The main attractions of Sri Lanka are concentrated mainly in the mountainous part of the Central Province of the island, as well as in the north-central part of the country, away from both coasts. This article has compiled a brief overview of the main tourist excursion destinations, designed to help the traveler with the preparation of an individual program and the optimal selection of places to visit. So what to see in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has its own "Cultural Triangle", which includes three ancient capitals of independent Sinhalese kingdoms: Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa - Kandy. These ancient cities of Asia have a rich history and many interesting cultural and historical sites, some of which, such as the huge dagobas of Anuradhapura, were real gems of the architecture of the ancient world.

In total, Sri Lanka has 8 unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you should definitely see: 4 ancient and sacred cities: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy; Cave temples of Dambulla and Galle Fort, as well as 2 natural object: Sinharaja rainforest and Central Highlands. The following is a list of 20 objects, including the most popular tourist places in Sri Lanka, with brief description and photographs of attractions.

Sri Lanka attractions map

20 main attractions of Sri Lanka

City of Colombo
(Colombo City)

The city is the actual administrative, economic and political capital of Sri Lanka, while the official capital of the country is one of the suburbs of Colombo - the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Colombo is located on the west coast of the island, 30 km from international airport. The city includes 15 districts with at least 2 names each: Colombo-1,2,3,4.....15 and Slave Island, Cinnamon Gardens, Pettah, etc.

The best time to visit Colombo is during the tourist season on the west coast, lasting from November to April. At this time, the minimum amount of precipitation falls.

The main visited places of the capital are: Beira Lake, located in the very center of the city, Buddhist temples Ashokaramaya, Gangaramaya and Sima Malaka, Victoria Park, Independence Memorial Hall, Galle Face Green walking area, Hindu and Muslim temples, floating market, national museum, Pettah district , Colombo Lighthouse, Lotus Tower.

(Temple Of Tooth Relic / Sri Dalada Maligawa)

This temple is the most famous Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The Temple of the Tooth of the Buddha is located on the territory of the royal palace complex, being part of its architectural ensemble.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic is also called Sri Dalada Maligawa, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the main pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa Buddhist Temple was founded in the 16th century during the reign of King Vimaladharmasuriya I. It is believed that whoever possesses the relic has the supreme power in the country.

The building in which the tooth was kept in the era of the king was destroyed, and the tooth was transported to Dumbara. The modern building of the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy was erected in the 17th century.

(Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya)

The Royal Botanical Gardens, located in Peradeniya, a few kilometers from Kandy, attracts more than 2,000,000 tourists from all over the world every year.

You can get from Kandy to the botanical garden by bus or by train. The garden is surrounded by a tributary of the Mahaweli Ganga River and covers an area of ​​​​about 60 hectares.

The largest botanical garden in Sri Lanka was founded in the late 18th century, before the arrival of the British, by King Kirti Sri Rajasinhe.

After the overthrow of the last Kandyan king by the British, the garden of Peradeniya was approved as a botanical garden for subsequent study by the British of the local flora and fauna. In the garden you can see a huge collection of plants, divided into 25 sectors.

(Anuradhapura ancient city)

Anuradhapura is an ancient city, the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom, located in the north-central part of the island.

The best time to visit Anuradhapura is from February to September inclusive - at this time the least amount of precipitation falls.

The first settlement in this place arose in the 10th century BC, Anuradhapura became a full-fledged city from the 5th century BC. The capital flourished for 1300 years, but was abandoned after an invasion in 993.

The main attractions of Anuradhapura are the giant dagobas of Tuparama and Ruvanvelisaya, as well as the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, sacred to Buddhists.

(Polonnaruwa ancient city)

Polonnaruwa is the second main ancient city, lost for some time in the jungle, and became the capital after Anuradhapura. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.

The transfer of the capital from Anuradhapura was carried out in 993, Polonnaruwa remained in the status of the capital until 1293, when it was again transferred, and the city was abandoned after that.

One of the main attractions of Pollonaruwa are the ruins of the ancient garden city, created in the 12th century, as well as the man-made lake Parakrama Samudraya (King Parakrambahu Sea), which has an area of ​​over 2,500 hectares.

It takes at least half a day to explore the ancient garden city, as well as the architectural monuments of ancient Indian culture during the reign of the Cholas. There is a bike rental at the entrance to the park.

Sigiriya fortress
(Sigiriya)

The rock complex in Sigiriya is called Lion Rock. The ancient city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and for many is the most famous landmark of Sri Lanka.

The ancient city of Sigiriya includes a palace on the top, interesting buildings at the foot of the cliff and gardens with numerous artificial reservoirs in its southern part.

At the top, according to a popular legend told by guides to tourists, there used to be a royal palace where the Sinhalese king Kasyapa (Kashyapa) lived. However, archeological evidence does not support this theory. In addition to the buildings on the rock, Sigiriya has a mirror wall, ancient wall paintings, terraces, pools and gardens.

(Dambulla Cave Temple & Golden Temple)

The city of Dambulla (Dambulla) is located at the intersection of several major roads, the settlement on this site was first mentioned in historical chronicles in the 7th century BC.

The main places of the city are the ancient temples of the Golden (Golden) and Cave (Cave). The cave temple is located in the caves on the slope of the cliff, and the Golden Temple is at its foot.

The cave temple in Dambulla is the largest cave temple, preserved to our times in the best way. ancient temple consists of 5 caves - halls of different sizes, carved into a monolithic rock. The paintings and statues in the Cave Temple date back to the 1st century BC.

The Golden Temple of Dambulla was built in 2000 with donations from Japanese patrons, this Buddhist temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Below, under the statue, there is a small but very interesting museum, which contains an exposition of Buddha statues from different countries world, records on ol leaves, paintings and ritual objects.

World's End Plateau in Horton National Park
(Worlds end, Horton plains national park)

Best time to visit national park Horton Plains is between December and May. In Runet, the park may also be called Horton's Plains.

national park is a protected area of ​​the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Horton Plains was designated as a national park in 1988.

Popular tourist entertainment "End of the World" - a sheer cliff with a height difference of more than 1.2 km, with an organized observation deck on the top.

On a clear day, stunning views of the surrounding valleys and cliffs open from the top. dizzy height. At a distance of 1 km from the End of the World there is an alternative "Small End of the World".

Nuwara Eliya city
(Nuwara Eliya)

Nuwara Eliya, or as it is also called, "Little England" is a city located in the highlands of the central province of Sri Lanka.

The climate in this area, unlike the coast, is very cool, in winter there are even night frosts, the average annual temperature is about +16 C.

The main attractions of Nuwara Eliya are Lake Gregory, Victoria Park, located on the shores of the lake, endless golf courses, a Hindu temple, the oldest post office in the country, several waterfalls of different heights and countless tea plantations and factories where you can learn how the famous Ceylon tea is created. .

The modern city was founded by the British in the 19th century and is now the leading producer of European vegetables, roses, strawberries and Orange Pekoe tea on the island.

Ella Rock and Little Adam's Peak
(Ella Gap & Little Adams Peak)

Ella is a city located in the highlands of Sri Lanka. This area is characterized by a cool climate and a large difference between day and night temperatures.

The name "Ella" means "Waterfall" in Sinhala, which is quite justified - the region is full of waterfalls of different heights and full flow.

The main attraction of Ella is the surrounding nature of the Ella Gap mountain range of the same name. Many tourists come to the city because of the opportunity to make exciting hiking trips through the mountains to various natural attractions.

From Ella, you can visit popular tourist sites on foot: Ella rock, small Adam's Peak, Ravana waterfall, and also visit the Nine Arch Bridge. The bridge is located between Ella and Demodara and is within walking distance from the city.

Demodare nine-arch bridge
(Nine Arch Bridge)

Thirty-meter, also called the "Bridge to Heaven", is located between the small mountain towns of Ella and Demodara.

The bridge is closer to Ella and can be reached on foot along the railway tracks. The nine-arch bridge is active, trains run regularly on it.

The unique feature of the bridge is that it was built without the use of steel in its structure, the bridge was erected during the First World War, commissioned in 1921.

The best time to visit the Nine Arch Bridge, that is, the driest and sunniest, are two periods: January - April and July - September.

Adam's Peak / Sri Pada
(Adam's Peak / Sri Pada)

Adam's Peak or Sri Pada is a cone-shaped rock with a height of 2.243 meters, on top of which there is a temple that contains a sacred footprint.

Sri Pada is a sacred place for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. The best time to visit it is during the pilgrimage season from December to May.

Climbing Adam's Peak is usually done at night before dawn in order to capture the moment of sunrise when the rock casts an even triangular shadow on the clouds.

According to Buddhist beliefs, the imprint of Buddha's foot is kept at the top, Christians and Muslims believe that Adam's footprint is imprinted there when he first set foot on earth after being expelled from paradise, Hindus consider the imprint to be the footprint of Lord Shiva.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
(Pinnawala)

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is located halfway between the country's largest cities of Kandy and Colombo. The nursery for wild Asian elephants welcomes guests daily from 8:30 to 17:30.

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was founded in 1975 by the Department of Environmental Protection of Sri Lanka in order to prevent the death of baby elephants left without parents.

Initially, the nursery was located in Wilpattu, but later it was moved first to Bentota, then to the Dehiwala Zoo, after which it finally found its current location in 1978 on a 10-hectare coconut plantation on the banks of the Maha Oya River.

Elephant fruit feeding is held daily from 09:00 to 09:45 and from 12:00 to 13:45. Bathing of elephants is also held daily from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:00.

Yala National Park
(Yala National Park)

Yala is the most famous and second largest national park in Sri Lanka (the first is Vilpattu). Yala has been a national park since 1938.

Yala National Park is located in the southeast of the island near the cities of Kataragama and Tissamaharama. The park is open all year round, but is closed for 1 month each year due to drought. Each year, this date is determined by the Department of Wildlife Protection, usually between mid-September and mid-/late October.

Yala National Park includes 5 blocks, 2 of them are open to tourists. In the park, tourists are traditionally invited to take a jeep safari. Tours of the park on foot are not possible due to the presence of a large number of dangerous wild animals in the park.

Yalu is visited to observe 215 species of birds, including flamingos and peacocks, 44 species of mammals: leopards, bears, elephants, deer, as well as many reptiles, crocodiles, etc. The best time to visit the reserve is from February to July.

Udawalawe National Park
(Udawalawe National Park)

Udawalawe National Park is located on the border of the provinces of Uva and Sabaragamuwa on the banks of the reservoir of the same name. The reserve covers an area of ​​about 31 thousand hectares and is the third most visited in Sri Lanka.

The Udawalawe National Park was established in 1972 to conserve the Sri Lankan Asian elephant population, and the reserve is also a popular spot for bird watching. At the moment, about 250 wild elephants live in Udawalawe Park.

Jeep safaris are held in the park for tourists; visiting the park on foot is not possible. Udawalawe Park has an elephant nursery set up to care for orphaned baby elephants, where you can watch them feed. Elephant riding is not allowed in the park. The most favorable period to visit is from January to March and from June to September. at this time the driest weather is established.

Lighthouse Dondra
(Dondra Lighthouse)

Dondra Lighthouse is located near the southernmost point of Sri Lanka, 6 km from Matara, the largest city in the south of Sri Lanka, on the shores of Devinuwara Bay. The name of the bay is translated from the Sinhala language as "the city of the gods". The southernmost point of the island is only 300 meters from the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was built in 1887 by a British company. The Dondra lighthouse is 49 meters high and has 7 floors inside.

Dondra Lighthouse is one of the four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka. At the moment, the lighthouse has the status of a strategic object and entry to its top is prohibited, but you can walk around its territory.

City of Trincomalee
(Trincomalee city)

Trincomalee - Big City, located in the north east coast islands, located on the shores of a unique natural bay, one of the deepest in the world. Natural conditions have naturally formed a relief that is ideal for the port.

The main attractions of Trincomalee are the fortified military Fort Frederick, many Buddhist and Hindu temples, including Koneshwaram (temple of a thousand pillars), hot springs in Kanniye, a port, a bridge in Kinnia, etc.

Trincomalee is the departure point for whale and dolphin excursions on the east coast, in the immediate vicinity of the city is Pigeon Island National Park. The city is popular with lovers of a relaxing beach holiday, diving, snorkeling.

The best time to visit Trincomalee is during the tourist season on the northeast coast: from April to September inclusive.

Fort and city of Galle
(Fort Gale)

Modern Galle is a large Asian port city located in the south of Sri Lanka, on the territory of which the Dutch fort of the same name built in the 16th century is located.

There are several attractions on the territory of Galle Fort: a clock tower, a bastion, Crow Island, a national museum, Buddhist and Muslim temples, a lighthouse and a naval museum.

The fortified fort is a complex of military structures, sheer walls and ramparts aimed at protecting the city of Galle from threats from the sea.

Galle Fort is perfect for walking tours, the inspection time is 3 hours. The best time to visit the fort is during the tourist season from November to April.

Sinharaja Storm Forest
(Sinharaja Forest Reserve)

The Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve is located in the southwest of the island and covers an area of ​​about 11 hectares. Biosphere reserves are also called the "lungs of the planet".

For the first time the status of the Sinharaja reserve was assigned by the British in 1875, it became an international biosphere reserve in 1978, since 1988 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Sinharaja Game Reserve is home to many endemic species of insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, as well as birds and mammals. Primary forests grow in rainforest.

Sinharaja has daily rainfall, so the best time to visit is early morning before noon. Entrance to the reserve is possible only with a guide.

Sri Lanka National Zoo
(National Zoo)

The National Zoo is located in the suburbs of the actual capital of Colombo, in the city of Dehiwala. Sri Lanka Zoo was founded at the beginning of the 20th century, it is located on an area of ​​more than 10 hectares.

The zoo has a huge collection of animals and birds from all over the world, there is an aquarium area where you can look at numerous fish.

In the zoo, you can watch shows of lions and elephants, they are held weekly according to a fixed schedule.

Tatyana Solomatina

What are the must-see attractions in Sri Lanka?

Good afternoon friends! I continue to tell you about such an amazing island as Sri Lanka. It attracts tourists with its vibrant nature, rich history, legends about spirits and deities. Many go hoping to find enlightenment and answers to exciting questions, to draw new strength for life.

You can read about my adventures on the island in the “My Travels” section. In this article I will tell you what to see in Sri Lanka, how to see the maximum of interesting things. Here I have collected the most iconic places, all of them are worthy of your attention. Read descriptions of attractions, entrance fees and my tips for visiting them.

Every place here is a landmark, cultural and historical values ​​at every step, let alone nature, beaches and the water kingdom. As I wrote, the trip to this exotic island was the best in my life. I think you will too.

Plan your vacation, don't even hesitate. However, be sure to take into account the peculiarity of Sri Lanka, which consists in the atypical location of all iconic places, namely, at a very remote distance from the coast. In this case, you will not be able to leave the hotel for a tour and return for dinner. Their average duration is two days. Moreover, you will spend most of the time on the road, which can take about 5 hours one way.

Therefore, it is common here combined rest, that is, several days of excursions around the country with an overnight stay in different cities, and only then a beach holiday, or vice versa. There are four ways to move:

• As part of a tour group
• With private guide and driver
• On your own in a rented car
• By public transport

What we chose and why, I explained in the article. It is written in detail, the motives for the decision, the route and costs.

What to see in Sri Lanka?

No “airtime” is enough to list all the sights, and it’s unrealistic to visit them even in a couple of weeks. Moreover, many of them are similar. Accordingly, I will talk about the most interesting and noteworthy.

The ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura vividly reflect the history of the island. Both cities in different time were the capitals of Sri Lanka. I'll start with Anuradhapura. The city is located 208 km northeast of the capital Colombo and 81 km above sea level. It was the capital before our era. Even by modern standards it is well planned, understandable infrastructure.

Anuradhapura has not only historical significance, but also religious. Buddhist pilgrims go to it, as it is their main city. Of interest to tourists are eight holy places:

• Bo tree. This tree is officially considered the oldest on Earth and it is 23 centuries old. Worth a look for self-development.
• 7 stupas-dagobas, among them the Jetavana stupa is interesting, 120 m high, it is the largest brick building, slightly smaller than the pyramid of Cheops. Each stupa contains relics of the remains of the Buddha, all of which are located on the sites of significant events.

The city is divided into historical (old) and tourist (new) parts. Accordingly, in the old part there are sights, and in the new one, infrastructure for a comfortable stay of tourists: cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops, railway stations and stations. Here you can buy a tour and all tickets, if you suddenly travel on your own.

The territory of the complex is simply huge, so it is impossible to move on foot. Need some kind of transport to see everything. As I already wrote - a car or a tuk-tuk. In general, all objects are located at a decent distance from each other, but if you don’t understand all this deeply, then there is no point in wandering to exhaustion. (Personally, at some point, all the stupas became on the same face, but perhaps because of fatigue). All guidebooks recommend setting aside a separate day for its inspection.

But the place is very beautiful, it simply fascinates with its majesty, some kind of calmness and silence, despite the crowds of tourists. It is beautiful both during the day and in the evening, when they turn on a special backlight. Some kind of mysticism of these places begins to be felt.

Now for some helpful tips:

• Take socks or shoe covers with you, as you need to take off your shoes when entering holy places. (Wandering around barefoot, you know, is not very comme il faut). Also, do not forget about a bag or bag for shoes.
• Clothing should cover the shoulders and knees, so think about clothing that is not hot and complies with the rules.
• Grab a bottle of water. You will definitely want to drink.

Entrance for adults - $ 25-30 or 3250 rupees, for children - $ 15.

Entrance to the Isurumuniya Monastery (separate fee) - 200 rupees.

Passage to the Bo tree (separate fee) - 200 rupees.

But if you are traveling in an organized manner with an excursion or a personal guide, then all tickets have already been paid.

Polonnaruwa

The turn to be the capital of Sri Lanka fell on the Middle Ages from the 11th to the 13th centuries. Located 214 km from Colombo. This place is interesting for its complex irrigation system, thanks to which the arid region has become fragrant and green. Be sure to look at the artificial lake, canals and pools. It's amazing how in such ancient times they could build such complex objects.

The main historical and religious value is the stone Temple of Gal Vihara, with four Buddha statues in different poses. The figures are huge and even realistic. You can also see the museum and collections of various household items, jewelry, coins, etc. Do not spend a lot of time on it.

What to consider:

The advice will be the same as for Anuradhapura. Plus, you can stay overnight in Polonnaruwa (there are hotels in the tourist area) or in neighboring Habaran. You can also eat there.
The complex is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

Adult ticket - $ 25, for children - $ 12.5.

Lion Mountain Sigiriya

Sigiriya is the main symbol of Sri Lanka and is considered one of the Wonders of the World. It is better to go to Sigiriya from Anuradhapura, only 65 km to the south. It is called Lion Mountain because a huge lion was carved into the rock, which is the emblem of the island. Unfortunately, only his paws "survived" to us.

At one time, the city was of stunning beauty. However, its ruins are no less impressive and the surrounding natural scenery too. Even before climbing the mountain, you can see pools with blooming lotuses, the remains of fountains, gardens with colorful plants. Frescoes and rock paintings have been preserved. The views that open from the top of the mountain are truly breathtaking, endless emerald forests open up. Everyone who travels to Sri Lanka must see the Lion Mountain.

But right away I want to note the point - climbing uphill. The total time is about 40 minutes (you won’t be able to run, it’s a very steep climb). I already wrote about my impressions about this: the steps are very steep, and in some places the structures are generally flimsy and do not inspire confidence, and climbing quite high. Therefore, if you have any problems, then it is better to abandon this venture. Otherwise, you will just waste your time and money. It is better to walk along the lower part of the complex, there is something to see.

Adult ticket - $ 30, for children - $ 15.

Entrance to the museum separately from the rock - $ 5.

Cave temple in Dambulla

Not far from Sigiriya, in the small town of Dambulla, there is a Buddhist temple ensemble. It includes several temples, one of them is carved right into the rock. This place is unique in its design, because it is incomprehensible to the mind how in those distant times people were able to build such a grandiose structure. Its scale is impressive. The main motif of the frescoes is episodes from the life of the Buddha.

Interestingly, the temple caves are still working, and the monks perform their rituals. At the foot of the mountain there is a huge statue of the Golden Buddha, everything is decorated with flowers, the statues and frescoes inside are colorful. There is a museum downstairs, it's a modern facility. It is not necessary to visit it, if only for a strong interest in history or to pass the time.

Monkeys run all over the territory of the complex, they are cute and funny. But I want to warn you that just in case, remove all jewelry and valuables and do not stand under the trees, as they may leave unexpected "autographs".

It's important to know:

• To deposit shoes - 25 rupees.
• There is a toilet downstairs, the entrance price varies from 20 to 50 rupees, apparently, depending on the mood of the controller.
• Ticket separately to the museum - 100 rupees.
• Entrance ticket to the cave temple is $10 or 1500 rupees.

Temple of the Golden Tooth in Kandy

The city of Kandy is located in the very center of the island, it is the second largest and most economically developed in Sri Lanka. By the way, Kandy is not far from the international airport (about 100 km) Bandanaraike. Here is the main relic for all Buddhists - the Tooth of the Buddha. I told the legend about him in the article, I will not repeat myself. But the city itself is very picturesque, with numerous vegetation, as it is located in a mountain range.

Also in the center you can admire an artificial lake and a forest. It is on its shore that the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is located. Previously, only the king and priests could enter the territory of the palace and temple, but now it is open to tourists. The Tooth is taken out for display once a year on the full moon in August. In honor of this event, an amazingly fabulous procession is arranged with flowers, dancers, acrobats and decorated elephants. Everything is very pompous and spectacular. In addition, in the temple-museum you can see various treasures: Buddha figurines carved from emerald, gold, rock crystal and jade. Inside, everything is painted, bright. The place is definitely worth seeing. Impressive, but there are a lot of tourists here.

Helpful Hints:

• If you just want to look at the museums and the temple, come at any time, but to get to the holiday, you will have to carefully plan everything and according to the lunar calendar.
• There is a strict dress code for entry, that is, clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. It is desirable that you have trousers or long skirts without cuts, light shades. Of course, there is a rental of sarongs, but who wore them and how many times is unknown. Also, you can’t walk in shoes and hats, take care of a bag or a bag for them, there is a left-luggage office.
• The temple is active, so you need to behave accordingly: do not shout, do not laugh out loud, do not have fun, and so on.
• There are many bazaars and shops in the city, if time permits, you can arrange souvenir shopping.

The museum is open from 9 to 5 pm, and the Temple of the Tooth from 5.30 to 8 pm.

Entrance to the Temple of the Tooth Relic - $25.

Entrance ticket to the National Museum is 500 rupees, and 300 rupees for children.

Photo and video shooting is paid separately - 250 rupees.

Royal Botanical Gardens in Paradenia

From Kandy, it is best to move to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Paradeniya, which is 12 km away. It's definitely worth watching. He is next to major river in Sri Lanka. The garden combines different types of tropics, flora and fauna. Here are exotic flowers, plants of bizarre shapes, funny little animals, huge trees, plants presented as a gift from outstanding personalities, alleys of palm trees, all kinds of orchids. There is a special alley of indoor plants. Here you want to wander and wander, being distracted from the noisy bustle and worries.

Nearby is a stunning waterfall with a height of 53.5 m from a 10-storey building. We did not manage to see it, we hurried to the train. But the guide said: “The place is breathtaking, it seems that you are somewhere in the Lost World and a dinosaur is about to run out of the thickets.” (Verbatim)

Important points:

• There are cafes on the territory, but it is better to grab your snack and water, as there are not very many of them, the choice is small, and there are gazebos in the park, you can have a picnic.
• You can walk or rent a golf cart.
• The time to visit is in the morning (open from 7.30 to 17.30), since in the heat there is absolutely no strength to walk, and in the afternoon you will not have time to see everything.

Entrance ticket - $ 10 or 1200 rupees.

Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala

Elephants are another main symbol of Sri Lanka. Once upon a time, these majestic animals freely walked through the expanses of the green island. But because of poachers, there are almost none left in the wild. Often, little elephants are left orphans, and some individuals are left crippled. In order to preserve the population and help the cubs, a state nursery was founded in 1975. Here, elephants are nursed, trained, then some are sent to zoos around the world, others are kept for agricultural work, and someone gives offspring, this is the main task of the nursery.

Elephants are taken out for bathing twice a day (10.00-12.00, 14.00-16.00). This is an amazing sight, believe me, there is something to see. The procession moves along the main street, all traffic is blocked. These gigantic animals walk right at arm's length. It is better to visit the reserve at this time, you can see how they bathe, how they are fed, if you are lucky you will see how little elephants are fed with milk from a bottle, maybe feed them yourself.

Opening hours - from 8.30 to 18.30 pm.

Entrance ticket 2500 rupees, for children - 1500 rupees.

Feed a baby elephant from a bottle - 250 rupees.

Adam's Peak

This mountain is sacred to representatives of four faiths: Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. On its top there is a footprint 1m, each religion explains its appearance in its own way. The height of the mountain is more than 2 km. But even if you are not a pilgrim and an ardent adherent of any religion, you need to see this picturesque place. The views from the top are magnificent and the sunrise is breathtaking.

The season to visit is from December to May, at other times the rainy season begins, the slopes become dangerous, and the peak is hidden by clouds and fogs.
Climbing mainly takes place in the evening at night, in order to be at the top by the very dawn. The road is lit with lanterns, from this there is some kind of mystical feeling.

Important Tips:

• The ascent takes more than 4 hours, is difficult and steep at times, and there are often no handrails and insurance, so if you are not used to such loads, then think carefully before setting off.
• To climb, take warm clothes, light blankets, you can even sleep, the higher, the cooler it gets.
• In fact, it is worth starting the ascent even in the afternoon, and it is better to spend the night at the top, in the high season there are huge traffic jams of people, you may not be in time by dawn.
• Take food and drinks with you, because the higher, the more expensive they are.

Climbing the mountain is of course free.

Yala National Park

Local authorities and residents are very protective of their nature, there are many national parks on the island. Perhaps stunning landscapes and landscapes with emerald forests, waterfalls, bright flowers and majestic mountains are the main pride of Sri Lanka. I recommend choosing Yala National Park because:

• the oldest and largest
• notable for a wide variety of exotic animals: leopards, crocodiles, elephants, squirrels, buffaloes, deer, various types of unusual birds, etc.

You can travel around the park only in open jeeps, it is forbidden to get out of them on the territory, it is dangerous.

Jeep rental 5000 rupees, in a jeep from 6 people.

Surcharge for safari per person Rs 1000.

Entrance ticket - $ 25 for adults, for children - $ 12.5.

Sinharaja rainforest

Another natural attraction is the Rainforest. This is a real relic reserve, there are many endemic animals, reptiles, insects, outlandish plants and flowers. This is part of the forest that covered the great continent of Gondwana. It is one of the last places on Earth untouched by man, you will see what the Earth looked like in prehistoric times.

Life is in full swing: huge butterflies flutter over flowers, wonderful insects crawl away from predatory plants, lizards hide in thickets, and snakes hide among giant vines wrapped in dense rings. The forest is buried in the shade of tall trees, sprawling ferns. Every now and then it seems that they were transported in time several million years ago, and a tyrannosaurus is about to pounce from the bushes. Be sure to visit this tropical forest.

The entrance to the reserve is located in 4 places. All routes end with a climb to the very high mountain from where amazing views open up.

Be sure to take a guide, he will tell you about all the inhabitants and help you not to get lost. Also consider clothing and shoes that cover your legs, arms, and neck, because there are many leeches. It is located in the very south of Sri Lanka, and this is a good way to complete excursions on the way to the coast.

Entrance 650 rupees.

Guide services - 1000 rupees.

Summing up

Of course, these are not all sights worthy of attention in Sri Lanka. Look for what else you can see on the website of the local travel agency. It was from them that we bought an excursion with an individual guide and were delighted. So I recommend it with full confidence.

By the way, the ocean here is restless, and big waves so you have to be very careful while swimming. But even on the coast you will find something to do, except for a "vegetable" holiday on the beach. Almost every hotel has a turtle farm, you can watch whales and dolphins, look at the Coral Gardens in Hikkaduwa.

By making a route through the above places, you will feel the atmosphere of this island, enrich yourself spiritually and get a lot of positive emotions and energy charge.

If you also traveled around the island, share your experience, write a story or review in the section "Readers' Travels". Read how to publish. Leave a comment, I want to see the reaction of readers. Do not forget to subscribe to blog updates and share links with friends on social networks.
On this, I say goodbye for a while, until we meet again!

Tatyana Solomatina

In total, I spent 19 days in Sri Lanka, seeing, probably, all the most popular places. To be honest, I went here to do a tour program, but changed my mind while exploring the island. At the end of the article I will tell you why, and then I propose to get acquainted with my impressions and some useful information, which may be useful to you when planning an independent trip to Sri Lanka.

Route branch: Colombo - Dambulla - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Kandy - Adam's Peak - Nuwara Eliya - Horton Plains - Ella - Yala - Tangalle - Mirissa - Hikkaduwa - Bentota

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Sri Lanka attractions map

Colombo

I have nothing to tell about the main city of Sri Lanka. I spent half a day here, during which I did not have time to see any significant places. Apparently, it is unlikely that he lost anything. As far as I know, Colombo has a promenade, a couple of temples and a lake. I don’t know about the embankment, but temples in Sri Lanka are already in abundance, the lake was passing through and it’s about nothing at all, so if you have the opportunity to go further immediately upon arrival, it’s better to do so.

Colombo itself is very noisy, with a lot of cars constantly emitting black, caustic exhaust, which is hardly anyone's pleasure.

Dambulla - Sigiriya

If time permits, it makes sense to visit the temples in Dambulla and climb the panoramic point in Sigiriya. The road from Colombo to Dambulla will take about three o'clock, and get from Dambulla to Sigiriya one hour.

The temples in Dambulla are five small caves where you will find many Buddha statues and rock paintings. I saw enough Buddhas in my life, but the drawings really look ancient and it was interesting to look at them.

People go to Sigiriya with one goal, to climb a panoramic hill and see beautiful views. But there is one important nuance that will come in handy. The most promoted hill, on which crowds of tourists climb is called lion peak. The cost of the entrance ticket is $25. But literally a couple of kilometers away there is another place from which to contemplate the surroundings is not worse, and maybe even better. The cost of the entrance ticket is several times less, only $4. This place is called Pidurangala, ask any local and they will show you the way. The ascent goes up the stairs, to be honest, not the most comfortable, and just before the top you will need to climb a meter or two over the stones. For the vast majority of people, the climb won't be a problem, just go at your own pace and take your time.

It is better to avoid lunch time, because the sun in Sri Lanka is merciless and it will be hard at the top in the heat. Most it is to start the rise either early in the morning or after four o'clock in the afternoon. The ascent at a leisurely pace will take about an hour. It took me 25 minutes, but I walked at the same time quickly.

Polonnaruwa

People go to Polonnaruwa, first of all, to see the ruins of the ancient city. Judging by the reviews on the Internet, the place is somewhat similar to the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Walking through the ruins of Polonnaruwa, I personally did not have such an impression. That in Cambodia, that here I did not use the services of guides who can tell about the place and it is likely that there will be more impressions. But there is no point in comparing Angkor and Polonnaruwa. In Angkor, you feel like you are in a truly special place, everything is much bigger and brighter, in terms of emotions.

There is also a place near Polonnaruwa where you can see dozens of elephants in their natural habitat. A trip to the elephants will cost 3,000 rupees for entry and about 4,500 rupees for a jeep for several people. I learned about this place only upon arrival and there was no time to visit, so there is nothing to tell. But elephants in Sri Lanka can be seen in many places.

The main advantage of the ancient city in Polonnaruwa was the monkeys, which are in abundance here, and of different colors and sizes. True, to go only for the sake of monkeys is a dubious pleasure. Plus, the wild heat does not allow you to calmly walk and enjoy.

In my opinion, the place is easy to miss.

Kandy

This is the place you can definitely skip. I don’t know why tourists go there in droves, apparently, simply because it is promoted in guidebooks. Kandy is a small town surrounded by hills, in the center of which there is a lake. The lake itself is quite pleasant and you can see birds, monitor lizards and other living creatures along the banks. But in a circle, the lake is surrounded by a road along which tuk tuks and buses drive without interruption. All this transport is very noisy, black exhaust constantly flies out of the road, which is impossible not to breathe, all this greatly spoils the picture.

There is a botanical garden, a couple of temples and several observation points. All this did not make any stunning impression on me personally. The only place I haven't been to is the botanical garden. Heard about him good feedback but spend time and money moving to Kandy just for the sake of the garden? I don't know, dubious.

There is an elephant orphanage about an hour west of Kandy. I don’t remember the names anymore, but upon arrival in Kandy, if you say you want to see elephants, you will be taken there. Moreover, there are two options, they are located three kilometers from each other. The first nursery is quite small, with a total of six elephants. Here you will be offered to ride elephants for 3000 rupees. Since I don’t really like it when animals are adapted for tourist entertainment, I didn’t even consider this option.

The second nursery is large, there are several dozen elephants here, and the place left a double impression. On the one hand, it was interesting to feed the elephant from the hand, to see how they are led to swim in the river. On the other hand, several elephants are chained for the amusement of tourists and this spectacle did not bring positive emotions.

Adam's Peak

The most high point Sri Lanka, a little over two thousand meters. I did not regret that I visited here, panoramic views are always to my liking. I want to say right away that the climb is not the easiest. Since the best time to see Adam's Peak is dawn, the ascent begins at 2.30 am and takes about two to three hours, depending on your physical form. Sunrise around 5:30.

Adam's Peak is a free place to visit, but local businessmen will be waiting for you at the entrance, who will ask you to make a donation. Most likely, just a scam of tourists, so pay or not, it's up to you.

There are two options for where to stop before the ascent. You can stay at Maskeliya(Maskeliya), which is half an hour from the Peak. Or get to dalhousie(Dalhousie), from where the ascent begins directly. I myself stayed in Maskeliya and did not regret it. There you can walk around, take pictures of local children and stay away from tourists.

Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains

Nuwara Eliya was a hit. The place is located above 1000 meters, the heat is almost not felt even at lunchtime, so you can walk and enjoy life. Everywhere you will be surrounded by bright green tea plantations and this is one of the best places in the world to taste real Ceylon tea. There is also a tea factory where you can taste and buy tea.

After spending one full day in Nuwara Eliya, tired of the tourist places full of Chinese tourists, I just wanted to take a walk between the tea plantations. Having learned not a tourist trail from a local boy, he went in search of it. Arriving at the tea plantation, if you walk up the main road for 500 meters, after a small shop there will be an unremarkable path on the left side. If you want to follow the same route, on the map of attractions in Sri Lanka, focus on the coordinates of the tea factory. The trail is 500 meters up directly from it.

There is no exact route there, you can go wherever your eyes look. It took me about three or four hours to get to know nature, local women who collect tea and a small village with very hospitable people. If you go up all the time, you can go to the top of one of the hills, from where a great view opens and where there is not a soul. It was a beautiful day. Finally, I felt relaxed and it was on that day that I began to like Sri Lanka, because before that I had already regretted that I had come here.

Not far from Nuwara Eliya there is a place called Horton Plains. This is exactly what you can skip! Costs $25 entry, plus you still need to get there and be at the main observation point no later than 9 am. That is, you need to get up again before dawn. Horton Plains is a radial route about 7 kilometers long. Almost the entire path passes through the middle of trees and shrubs, because of which nothing is visible. In the middle of the route there is an observation deck called the end of the world. I didn’t find anything to do with the end of the world, just a panoramic place with a good, but nothing more, view. It is clear that beauty is subjective, but personally, in my opinion, a waste of time.

Ella

From the Horton Plains or from Nuwara Eliya you can take a train to Ella. Another small town, lost between the green nature of Sri Lanka. The map below shows that there are several places to visit, I managed to see only two of them. I highly recommend climbing the small Adam's Peak. It's free and the views are better than the same Horton Plains. Little Adam's Peak consists of several hills, the walk from Ella will take about three hours in both directions, if you are not in a hurry.

The second popular place in Nuwara Eliya is the bridge, which can be photographed both close up and from a vantage point. Of course, there are better places, but if you are already here, why not go. If you want to take a picture of the bridge with the train moving, check with the locals for the schedule, the approximate interval of trains is every two hours. He himself waited for the long-awaited locomotive, having stood for more than an hour on the observation platform, fell under a wall of rain and had to leave. Hope you have better luck.

Ella left a good impression and she deserves two full days. By the way, not far from the railway station in Ella there is a place called Chill. Such a mixture of bar and restaurant, where a large selection of food, you can drink beer in the company of travelers and the prices are more than reasonable.

Yala National Park

There are several national parks in Sri Lanka where safaris are held and Yala is the most popular of them. Again, I can not say that this place is definitely worth a visit. It all depends on your luck and here's why.

In addition to several species of animals such as buffaloes, elephants, deer, small Sri Lankan bears and numerous birds, there are about 25 leopards in Yala National Park. It is for the leopards that they come here in the hope of taking a picture or just seeing. Since this is not a zoo, there are no guarantees that leopards will want to show you here.

There are two types of safari, half day and full day. The half-day safari is the most popular and takes about seven hours. You arrive at Yala Park closer to five in the morning and ride around the park before lunch with a break for breakfast. In the high season, the number of jeeps on which the safari takes place reaches three hundred. Considering that the park itself is relatively small, sometimes a funny situation is created. One of the drivers finds the leopard sleeping peacefully in a tree, informs the other drivers and everyone rushes there. A traffic jam is created from several dozen cars and you are forced to wait, sometimes for quite a long time.

Nevertheless, I liked the safari in Yala. First of all, because we managed to see two leopards, two Sri Lankan bears, various birds, many deer and elephants. But if it were not for the leopards, it is unlikely that my review of Yala would have been positive. in the review of housing, I recommend the home stay where I stayed. Highly a good place, next to a huge lake, a great host and for adequate money.

There are practically no photographs, since the animals were quite far away, and it’s impossible to make a high-quality frame with my old camera by zooming in on the object.

The beaches of Sri Lanka

I will have a very brief overview of the beaches, since I have always been indifferent to them. Even on my first independent trip to the Philippines, I saw enough of the white sand and palm trees, so now I go to the beaches only at sunset, trying to make a good shot.

Tangalle

Only stayed here for one full day. I didn’t see anything special, only a couple of small beaches. If you want to stay here for a while, I can have a good home stay.

Mirissa

The most popular beach of Sri Lanka left a good impression. Not very big, not very small, relatively many foreigners, but not crowded. It is probably crowded here in the season, however, if you are a beach lover, you should like it here.

Hikkaduwa

I don't know what to write about another beach! There is sand, the ocean is available, people are lying on the sand. If you have ever been to the beaches of Southeast Asia, you know what to expect. As far as I know, in Hikkaduwa you can see turtles, big and small. You can try snorkeling or diving. At every step you will be offered this.

Personally, I have not tried anything, probably, my thoughts are already in Japan. Departure in two days.

Bentota

The beach is not much different from Hikkaduwa in size. Here you can also try snorkeling, diving, paragliding and other activities. The usual tourist place for all beach lovers. Yes, I don’t know how to write reviews of beaches, there’s nothing you can do about it)))

People in Sri Lanka

With the exception of a few not very pleasant moments, I can only say good things about local residents. Very kind and sincere smiles, a desire to help and unobtrusive curiosity. Perhaps that is how they will remain in my memory. Speaking of unpleasant moments, there were just too annoying people in tourist places who tried in every possible way to get some money from a white tourist. But this is not news in Asia, so it is better not to waste your nerves on such specimens and not pay attention to them.

If you are walking down the street and see a local, smile at him, say hello and he will be genuinely happy! Good people, really.

I did not post photos of the people of Sri Lanka in this article, photo selection can be seen.

Nature of Sri Lanka

This is exactly why you should go to Sri Lanka. Namely, animal world! Here, literally at every step, this or that living creature. Sometimes you go and a meter monitor lizard crawls your way. You sit on the shore of the lake, and a hundred meters away a huge three-meter crocodile is basking on a stone. Birds are singing so that it seems you are in some movie about wildlife. And all this is not a zoo or a national park, all this is around you every day and it's wonderful.

Here I saw animals that I had never seen before. Leopards, local small bears, a huge crocodile (before that I saw only small ones), deer, elephants (and even fed one from my hand), meter-long lizards and a dozen different birds.

As for the landscapes, I did not find anything new for myself. I saw tea plantations in Vietnam, beaches in many other countries ... well, there’s really nothing else to see here. Nice, but nothing more.

Prices (transport, food, housing)

I will try to tell you about the prices, because I didn’t count everything and forgot to write down some prices. The goal was not to waste the entire budget on Sri Lanka, so I traveled between cities on local buses, which are practically free. Here are a few prices for long-distance moving, so you have an idea of ​​what to expect. By the way, if you are traveling with a group of friends, it would be a good idea to rent a car. Meeting a couple from Russia, found out that they rented car for 18 days for $500. That is, if you go, say, four of us, the rent will cost you $125 per person. The figures are approximate, but it is quite possible to be guided by them.

As for housing, I will only recommend a few hostels in which I liked it, but I don’t remember the prices for them. And so, for $10-$15 per day in Sri Lanka, you can rent spacious accommodation for two, with air conditioning, a shower, often with a good view from the window and a hearty free breakfast.

Transport (buses):

• Colombo - Dambulla, 3 hours on the road, 300 rupees
• Polonnaruwa - Kandy, 4 hours, ~350 rupees
• Yala - Tangalle, 1.5 hours, 100 rupees

Accommodation (that you really liked)

• Yala- Hotel Grand Halabana
• Polonnaruwa- Man Guest Polonnaruwa
• Tangalle- Golden Beach Resort

Food

In tourist places you can find a menu of a variety of dishes. There are a lot of seafood on the beaches; inside the island, rice with chicken and curry sauce is the most common dish. In general, everything is inexpensive. You can eat for 300-400 rupees (rice chicken and vegetables). You can spend 1000-1500 rupees for a large plate of pasta/sandwich with fried potatoes and a glass of beer or something like that. Food is good, portions are decent.

Why didn't I do tours in Sri Lanka

Simply because I did not meet a place in Sri Lanka that would take your breath away. A place that I would really recommend to anyone and everyone. For example, in China there are definitely such places, and in Sri Lanka, any good place seen evoked rather pleasant emotions, but definitely not delight.

I decided that I would do tours only in those places that put me in. China - yes! Japan, which I will go to one of these days, I really hope so too! Sri Lanka? Unlike China and Japan, where there are many nuances when planning a route and have their own national characteristics, Sri Lanka is very simple and you can organize everything yourself without any problems. At times this country will go, but I see no reason to return. Too much has not yet been seen and felt on Earth.

Good luck and all the best!!!

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