Sri Lanka is an (island) country located in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is full of religion, culture, history and an overwhelming nature. Temples, stupas, sacred images and all kinds of places of worship can be found everywhere. Many tourists go to the holy cities such as Kandy and Anuradhapura or visit the many beautiful natural parks that can be found there. The city of Galle in the south with its Dutch influences and its beautiful fort are definitely recommended. But also the excellent white sand beaches are found by many for a wonderful day of relaxation. Sri Lanka is an increasingly popular destination among Dutch tourists due to its unique culture and overwhelming nature. They often choose to make a tour through Sri Lanka instead of traveling to just one location. That way they are able to visit as many highlights of Sri Lanka as possible. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Sri Lanka.
Do not forget to apply for your e-visa for Sri Lanka in time. A visa is required for all travelers from Europe, including the Netherlands. It does not matter whether you travel to Sri Lanka by plane or by land. You can now easily apply for a visa for Sri Lanka via the internet.
Top 10 places of interest in Sri Lanka
#1. Sacred City of Anuradhapura
This ancient capital of Sri Lanka is full of historical sites. There are ruins dating back to the 10th century BC. The sacred Buddhist city still has many monasteries that are visited by many pilgrims. The large lakes Nuwara Wewa and Tissa Wewa were used to supply the city with water. Today the whole area is a large open-air museum with many temples, palaces and all kinds of shrines such as the Bodhi tree. Check simplyyellowpages for mass media and culture of Sri Lanka.
#2. Golden Temple of Dambulla
The location of this complex of cave temples is in the center of the country, just north of the historic city of Kandy. The largest golden Buddha statue in the world can be found here. Although more than eighty caves have been found, the most important sacred chambers are spread over five caves. Here you will find many statues, paintings and drawings of Buddha, Vishnu, Ganesh and kings such as Nissankamalla and Valagamba. The most spectacular cave has a size of about 50 meters wide, 23 meters deep and 7 meters high.
#3. Polonnaruwa
South-east of the holy city of Anuradhapura lies this other historic city. Here too many Buddha statues, temples, ruins and stupas can be admired. The Hindu Siva Devala temples date from between the 10th and 13th centuries. The beautiful sculptures of Gal Vihira are special masterpieces. The beautiful structure of Rankot Vihara is sure to catch your eye. The large round domed roof of this dagoba is made of earth, brick and plaster. Sacred relics or bodily remains of the Buddha are kept here.
#4. Sigiriya
This complex contains ruins of a palace, gardens, moats and terraces, some of which have a water feature. The whole once belonged to King Kashyappan. From the 5th century BC it became a monastery. Because the palace is located on a rock, it has a mystical appearance. The rock bears the name: Lion Mountain. There are many frescoes, paintings, sculptures and fantastic gardens to admire.
#5. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
In this overwhelming national park you can find a number of mammals such as some elephants and leopards. But because the forest is so densely wooded, there are more reptiles, birds, amphibians and butterflies to be found. The forest is about 11,000 hectares in size. There are two villages in the reserve. These are Warukandeniya and Kolonthotuwa. People here live in very modest houses, mostly made of mud, leaves and branches. There are several routes to follow, so it is recommended to do this with a guide.
#6. City of Kandy
This gem is centrally located in the middle of Sri Lanka. The city is surrounded by the hills of the Kandy plateau. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Especially the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) is a top attraction. It is a very important sacred place in Buddhist culture. You will also find a royal palace, the Lankatilaka Temple, the Gadaladeniya Temple and a beautiful and overwhelming Royal botanical garden, Peradeniya. Many handicrafts and all kinds of artistic creations are for sale in the center. The annual Esala Perahera procession, where lavishly decorated elephants march in a procession.
#7. National Parks
Sri Lanka has an impressive number of parks, including national parks such as
Wilpattu National Park, Bundala National Park, Kumana Kudumbigala National Park, Uda Walawe Park and Yala Ruhunu National Park. The largest park is Wilpattu National Park. The park is located about thirty kilometers from the Holy City of Anuradhapura. Because the park has about sixty lakes, it attracts many animal species such as the leopard. About a quarter of the 130,000-hectare park can be visited. The rest is very densely wooded.
#8. Peradeniya Botanical Garden
The huge tropical garden in the city of Kandy is phenomenal. Not only in its size, but certainly in its finish. The park is neatly maintained and has a very diverse vegetation. There are ten thousand plants, of which just under 4000 are named by labels. There is also an ‘Orchid House’ with the most diverse types of orchids and a herb house can be found in ‘Spice Garden’. The many water features, bridges and palm trees make this park a very romantic and relaxing place.
#9. Beaches
With its thousands of kilometers of coastline, Sri Lanka naturally has a number of gems of beaches. Many of the luxury resorts are located on the most popular stretches of beach. The most beautiful part can be found at Negombo Beach in particular. Water sports enthusiasts often seek out Bentota and Arugam Bay for ideal conditions. Other well-known and beautiful beaches are: Unawatuna Beach, Arugambay Beach, Dickwella Beach, Trincomalee Beach, Matara Beach and Arugam Bay.
#10. Kitulgala
Fans of movies like ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ shouldn’t pass through this small town without taking a look at the famous bridge. The bridge was built by prisoners. Many of them have died of disease and abuse. This place is often visited during excursions on the river with, for example, a dugout canoe. Around the hilly area are mainly rubber and banana plantations.
