Sights of the cultural capital of Sri Lanka - Kandy route. Sri Lankan Cultural Triangle Language and Religion
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Practical Information
For whom: for young people and middle-aged people
Duration: about 5 hours
Price for 1 person: 2200 Sri Lankan rupees (532 rubles)
Only fees for visiting attractions are taken into account. Food and transportation costs are not included in this Kandy itinerary.
Route description for Kandy
The medieval capital of Sri Lanka, surrounded by picturesque mountains and hills of the central part of the island, is a place where the most interesting cultural and architectural monuments of different eras are collected. The beauty and abundance of man-made sights in Kandy compete with the natural resources collected in the territory of local parks, which are also worthy of close attention of the city's guests.
National Museum of Kandy
The museum, which contains one of the most extensive collections of ancient art and material culture in the country, acquaints its visitors with the history of the royal capital of Sri Lanka.
royal court
The National Museum adjoins the territory of the main attraction of Kandy - the Royal Palace complex, which includes 2 main parts - the Royal Court and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. A tour of the palace of the last kings of Sri Lanka should begin with an audience hall decorated with intricate carvings, where in ancient times the rulers of the island held their court over their subjects.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
The central attraction of Kandy, as well as the most revered religious center on the entire island, is this temple, which houses one of the greatest Buddhist relics - the tooth of the Buddha, which attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Lake Kandy
Surrounded by picturesque greenery, the shore of an artificial lake adjacent to the palace complex will serve as a great place for a short rest after visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Royal Palace Park
You can continue to enjoy the delights of the tropical nature of Sri Lanka in the Royal Palace Park (or Wales Park), which can be reached by going around the lake from the western side. Among other things, there is a high-altitude observation deck, from where a beautiful panorama of the historical center of Kandy opens.
Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya
By catching a tuk-tuk near the palace or using the services at the nearby Kandy bus station, you can get to one of the most famous and beautiful botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, famous for its large collection of rare and exotic plants.
The island of Sri Lanka consistently attracts many tourists every year. This is not surprising: beautiful nature, rich history and culture, excellent beaches, wonderful climate... We will talk about all these features of the island in the article. We invite you to discover such an amazing place as the island of Sri Lanka.
Briefly about Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a very ancient country which is also known as Ceylon. Boundless and vast are the pride of this island. The local population adheres to traditions, but at the same time, there is freedom of religion in Sri Lanka. Many sacred temples (mainly Buddhist) and relics attract pilgrims from all over the world to this country. The mysterious southern Sri Lanka attracts different categories of tourists. They come here to see the world full of exotics, enjoy nature, and swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean. The local beaches with golden sand are amazing.
In Sri Lanka, you will find hidden bays and bays, underwater coral gardens, as well as the remains of sunken ships and much more ... Rest on the ocean coast, familiarization with Buddhist shrines, national natural parks, the secrets of growing tea and its production, communication with cheerful and open Sri Lankans - all this guarantees you an unforgettable experience of visiting this island.
Where is Sri Lanka on the map?
This one is located on a small island in the Indian Ocean. The list of historical values protected by UNESCO (total 130) includes seven objects located on this island. Sri Lanka is an ancient state with deep traditions and rich history. This is the center of Buddhism, where important monuments of this teaching are located. However, not only historical heritage forms the exoticism of the country. Sri Lanka on the map is only 800 kilometers from the equator. Here you will find all the riches of the tropical islands. The Sri Lankans say that they know only three colors - the blue of the ocean and the sky, the yellow tones of the beaches and the green of the vegetation.
Flight from Moscow to Sri Lanka
Currently there is only one direct flight Moscow - Sri Lanka (Colombo). At the same time, it operates only in winter and does not have a strict schedule. Chartered flight Moscow - Sri Lanka is carried out by Aeroflot air carrier. The distance from Moscow to Colombo is about 6700 km. Therefore, the travel time is approximately 8.5 hours.
Sri Lanka: time and climate
Those who are going to the island will probably be interested in the difference in time here. On the island, time is 1.5 hours ahead of Moscow in summer, and in winter - 2.5. As for the climate, it is both subequatorial and equatorial monsoon here. It is complicated by the relief, as well as the orientation of the island, its location from north to south. About 29-31 ° C is the average annual temperature in the flat terrain of the island of Sri Lanka. The season practically does not affect the temperature. In the mountainous part, it varies from 16 to 24 °C. All year round, the sea temperature is above 25 ° C on the island of Sri Lanka. In January, therefore, you can safely swim, as in July.
As for humidity, it is high here and almost always exceeds 75%. The amount of precipitation is from 1000 (eastern and northern regions) to 5000 mm per year (southwest coast). From May to September, the rainy season lasts, which causes the southwest monsoon. The northeast monsoon determines inclement weather from October to April on the island of Sri Lanka. The rainy season, however, can shift somewhat in time. It depends on the area. In general, Sri Lanka has a very favorable climate for tourism. In January, when it is cold in our country and you really want summer, tours here are very popular.
Island population
The population of this island is about 18 million people. Of these, more than 500 thousand people live in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The ethnic composition of the population is rich. This is a multinational country. Its population consists of Tamils, Sinhalese, Burghers (descendants of the Dutch and Portuguese) and Moors.
Language and religion
Singali is the official language in Sri Lanka. Also, Tamil and English are equated to the state. As we have already mentioned, Buddhism is very common on the island. In addition to him, the main religions are Christianity, Islam, Judaism. The island of Sri Lanka does not impose strict requirements on clothing, however, it is not recommended to visit temples in clothes with bare shoulders and back, in shorts. Also, you must take off your shoes at the entrance. Buddhists are approximately 70% of the population, Tamils (Hindu) - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 7%. In this country, freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, but the dominant position here is given to Buddhism.
Attractions
Many attractions for every taste offers the island of Sri Lanka. Tours here will be of interest to various categories of tourists. "Sri Lanka Resort Triangle" is the most popular excursion program on the island. It includes acquaintance with three cities - Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. Let's talk about each of them.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is the first capital of the Sinhalese state. This city is unique, it was built in the 2nd century. BC e. In his lifetime, he has seen 113 kings. The exact date of the founding of Anuradhapura is unknown. According to the astrological tradition of the Indo-Aryans, he was named after Anuradha, a star located in the constellation Scorpio. King Pandukabhaya in 380 BC e. approved this city as the capital. To the west of it, the Basawak Kulam reservoir was built to supply the population with water. The city in its heyday occupied an area of about 52 square meters. km, and its population reached several tens of thousands. In the 1st century A.D. e. water pipes, bridges and roads, palaces, temples, monasteries, cemeteries and hospitals were built.
For 1.4 thousand years, Anuradhapura was the capital. This is a real masterpiece of Sri Lankan architecture. And in our time, Anuradhapura is the capital of Buddhism. In order to visit it, many tourists come to the island of Sri Lanka every year. The city is located on the Aruvi River. Tourism is developed here, agricultural products are processed, as well as a number (woodcarving, etc.).
Polonnaruwa
The next city, Polonnaruwa, was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century. This is one of the main cultural and historical centers of the country. To this day, Hindu and the ruins of the Royal Palace have been preserved. The main attraction of the city is Gal Vihara (12th century BC). These are 4 huge Buddha statues carved into a granite rock.
Kandy
Kandy is the center of Buddhism and the religious capital of the island. An artificial lake has been created in the center of this city. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada-Maligawa) is located on its shore (pictured below).
The city is rich in historical monuments. These include the courtyard and the palace of the last king of Kandy. There is also an archaeological museum, near which there is a botanical garden and a university with a picturesque campus. Not far from these historical monuments are rubber and tea plantations. Kandy is located 116 km from the capital of the island, Colombo. It is famous as a center of crafts and arts, as well as bazaars, lapidaries, and a museum of jewels. This place is great for sightseeing and shopping. Nearby you will find views of the legendary mountains with beautiful Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Piradenia
Piradeniya (Royal Botanical Garden) is located 4 km from Kandy. This is one of the largest gardens in Asia. There is a large collection of tropical plants and trees. The gardeners of the island have divided into park areas a large hilly area. In these zones, various types of tropical flora are represented. Another interesting feature of the garden is over a hundred species of ornamental orchids growing here.
Dambula
Another local attraction is Dambula. This temple was built in the 1st century BC. e., bearing the name of the Sleeping Buddha. It is the largest cave temple in South Asia. Dambula consists of five caves. Not only the temple itself, but also its painting is the largest in South Asia. Dambul has a huge collection of Buddha statues. Many of them are over two thousand years old.
Mount Sigiriya
We also recommend visiting the Lion Rock (Mount Sigiriya). This picturesque mountain is located in the center of the island of Sri Lanka and is one of its main attractions. Lion Rock is protected by UNESCO. On this mountain, at an altitude of about 180 meters, a picturesque city was built. It is surrounded by gardens with pools, fountains and unusual stairs, the steps of which are carved between the jaws, throat and paws of a huge lion. One of the attractions of this place is a gallery of frescoes, which depict a procession of half-naked palace ladies or princesses, who seem to be floating in the air. These frescoes are covered with a special composition of egg white mixed with honey from wild bees. And to this day their bright colors have not faded. Today, unfortunately, only 17 of the 500 frescoes have survived.
Adam's Peak
Another one interesting mountain- Adam's Peak. Since ancient times it has been a place of pilgrimage for believers. They climb this mountain in order to touch with their lips the sacred footprint located at the top. Muslims believe that this is where Adam, the first man, first set foot on earth.
Colombo
The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. There are many temples, cathedrals and mosques here. by the most famous temple considered Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. It is an excellent example of Sinhalese art and architecture. The frescoes that adorn the walls of the building tell us about the numerous lives of the Buddha. For example, about how he visited the temple, about the legends and myths associated with his name. Other sights of Colombo include the temple of St. Anthony and Peter, the Cathedral of St. Lucy, Jamul Alfar (the main mosque of Sri Lanka), as well as the Hindu temples Old and New Katiresan and Ganeshan.
Nuwara Eliya
A bunch of interesting places offers tourists Sri Lanka. The weather, however, may not allow you to see all the sights of this country. On hot days, many prefer the beach to trips around the island. However, weather inconvenience can be avoided if Nuwara Eliya (Sri Lanka) is your choice. The weather here is rarely too hot for walking. The Nuwara Eliya resort is located at an altitude of about 1900 m above sea level. It is located at the foot of Pidurutalagala. This mountain is the highest peak in Sri Lanka. Here you will enjoy a favorable mild climate (temperature averages 15-20 degrees), as well as mountain landscapes, picturesque valleys and meadows. All this makes this place a popular resort. Nuwara Eliya, the land of a blessed climate, is also known as "Little England" as it is called on the island of Sri Lanka. Tours here have been in constant demand for many years.
Elephant Orphanage and Bo Tree
The elephant orphanage, owned by the state, is located in the city of Pinnawala. It was created to save animals that suffered from poachers or were left without parents. Today it is home to over 60 elephants.
Sri Lanka is the country where the Bo tree grows, which is considered the tallest in the world. He is over two thousand years old. We also recommend visiting the endless tea plantations. This is the pride of Sri Lanka, thanks to which the island has gained worldwide fame. Sri Lankan spices, gems, exotic fruits, batik are also very popular.
Transport
You should pay attention to the fact that in this country the left-hand traffic. Most of the roads are located in the mountains. Traffic rules are almost not observed by either pedestrians or drivers. In this regard, it is best to rent a car with a driver in Sri Lanka. Prices for this type of service are reasonable - the estimated cost for 1 km is 20 cents. You can also rent a car to make personal travel. At the front desk at your hotel, you can get the necessary information about transport in Sri Lanka. Car rental prices start at $20 per day.
National cuisine
The cuisine here, even close to the European version familiar to us, is quite spicy. The most popular type of food in hotels is a buffet. Those who do not like spicy food should consult with the waiter about what to take. Mineral water, like other drinks, in Sri Lanka is not included in the price of dinner or lunch. This island is especially beneficial for vegetarians.
Curried rice is the most common food item in Sri Lanka. Seafood dishes (try lobster and prawns), fish, meat, vegetables and poultry are also popular here.
It is not recommended to abuse local strong drinks. The main one is arak. This is coconut moonshine, which even the local population does not drink much, but for a change, you can try a little.
On the island you will find inexpensive and wonderful tropical fruits: avocados, bananas (more than two hundred varieties), papaya, mangoes, avocados, oranges, coconuts, etc. Pineapples are especially good here.
Tips
Usually bills of bars, restaurants and hotels already include a tip, which is 12.5%. You can decide for yourself whether to give more. It is customary to give tips to porters, drivers and guides. They, as a rule, are expected from Russian tourists, but not from the Germans.
One of the best holiday destinations is Sri Lanka. The time spent here is never forgotten.
Colombo - Pinnawala - Sigiriya - Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Matale - Kandy - Peradeniya - Nuwara Eliya - Labukelle - Yala - Galle - Colombo
5 nights / 6 days
1 day. Colombo Meeting with a company representative in Colombo.After noon sightseeing tour of Colombo, visiting shopping centers.
Dinner and overnight at Colombo hotel. Day 2 Pinnawala - Sigiriya Moving to Sigiriya. Along the way visiting the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala, founded in 1975 to take in orphaned and poached elephant calves. Currently, more than 65 elephants have found shelter in the nursery, including babies born in captivity. This is a unique opportunity to observe the process of feeding and bathing amazing animals up close.
After noon climbing Mount Sigiriya "Fortress in the sky". The picturesque mountain, also known as the "Lion Rock", is one of the main attractions of the country. At an altitude of about 180 m, King Kassapa built a palace in the 5th century, the entrance to which was “guarded” by a huge stone lion. The citadel was surrounded by gardens with pools and fountains. Lion's paws, a giant throne, a bath, a "mirror wall" and world-famous colored frescoes depicting "heavenly maidens" (apsaras) have been preserved at the top. The rock gallery was decorated with about 500 frescoes, but only a few of them have survived to this day.
Dinner and overnight at Habarana/Dambulla/Sigiriya hotel. Day 3 Polonnaruwa - Dambulla - Matale - Kandy Excursion to Polonnaruwa- the second ancient capital of Sri Lanka (XI-XIII centuries). Here, during the reign of King Parakramabahu I, a complex irrigation system was built - a huge artificial lake-reservoir "Parakrama Sea", as well as canals and pools. The main attractions of Polonnaruwa are: the stone temple of Gal Vihara, in the granite wall of which four statues of Buddha are carved in various poses; large stupas (dagoba) Rankot Vihara and Kiriveera, the remains of the great surviving shrines of Vatadage, Lankantilak, Tuparam and Tiwank.
After noon moving to Kandy. It will pass along the way Excursion to Dambulle Cave Temple located on the top of a cliff 350 m above sea level. The temple, which consists of five caves and is famous for the largest collection of Buddha statues (some of them over 2000 years old), was founded in the 1st century BC, but was completed and supplemented with each successive change of royal power. In addition to the Buddha statues, the temple has preserved colored frescoes that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves. An important place among them is occupied by scenes from the life of the Buddha (jataka).
Visit to the spice garden in Matale, batik factory and gemstone museum.
Sightseeing tour of the city of Kandy. A small picturesque town, located at an altitude of 488 m above sea level, is the last capital of the reign of the Sinhalese kings, and to this day it is rightfully considered the cultural capital of the country. In the center of the city, near an artificial lake, there is the Dalada Maligawa Temple, where the main relic of the country, the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, is kept. Once a year, during the colorful festival-procession of Esala Perahera, which takes place in late July - early August, the shrine, resting on the back of the main elephant of the temple, is put on public display.
In the evening watching national dances.
Dinner and overnight at Kandy hotel. Day 4 Peradeniya - Labukelle - Nuwara Eliya Visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya- the largest in Southeast Asia. On an area of 147 acres, you can see more than 4,000 different trees, plants and flowers, including rare species of palms, medicinal and spicy herbs, more than 300 species of orchids. The garden is known for its alley of memorial trees planted by prominent personalities from different eras. Among others, there are trees planted by the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and Yuri Gagarin.
Visit to the Labukelle tea factory gives a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the process of production and sorting of the world famous Ceylon tea. Sri Lanka ranks third in the world in tea production and first in its export, providing about 25% of world demand.
Moving to the mountainous region of Nuwara Eliya. This alpine resort (1884 m above sea level) is located at the foot of Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m), the highest peak in Sri Lanka. The cozy town of Nuwara Eliya, with its Anglican church, colonial post office building with a clock tower, Victorian-style houses, a hippodrome and well-groomed lawns, has rightly been called "Little England".
Dinner and overnight at Nuwara Eliya hotel. Day 5 Yala Moving to Yala. Jeep safari in national park - one of the oldest and largest parks in the country. The main territory of the park is occupied by the forest, the rest - pastures, ponds and mangroves. This is a great opportunity to see herds of elephants, wild buffaloes, wild boars, spotted deer. Several species of forest cats, leopards, mongooses, monkeys, monitor lizards and crocodiles also live here.
Dinner and overnight at Yala/Kataragama hotel. Day 6 Galle - Colombo After breakfast transfer to Colombo, on the way sightseeing tour in Galle. Famous for its fort, built by the Dutch in the 17th century, the city of Galle was the main trading port of the country until the 19th century. Even centuries later, the spirit of an old Dutch town hovers behind the walls.