Historically known as Ceylon and commonly recognised as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and Serendib; this special and spectacular island country has become one of the main tourist attractions in the world. This is due to several factors: its high diversity in terms of climates and scenic places, ranging from beaches to mountains to ancient and modern cities; the short distances between these that provide tourists the ability to visit Sri Lanka within a few days and for containing one of the eight wonders of the world, Sigiriya.
In this beautiful tropical country, our visitors can witness many stunning natural creations. The rainforests which evolved in the merit of the regular rainfalls, and the numerous rivers, waterfalls, lakes, canals, and lagoons have contributed to making Sri Lanka one of the countries with the highest biodiversity. Moreover, it is the only island in the world to have Elephants and Tuskers.
Having been a colony of the Portuguese, Dutch and British from the 16th century until 1948, Sri Lanka has become a multi-cultural country. It consists of four main religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Islam proceeding by others in minorities. Throughout the vacation, many places related to our history and religions could be visited which will also be a great occasion, to whom is interested, to learn more about Theravada Buddhism.
The wide range of cuisines with the great varieties of fruits, vegetables and fish is another compulsory characteristic to be considered. The flavour of our traditional cuisine, rice and curry, is mainly enhanced by the spices starting from cinnamon, coriander seeds, nutmeg, chilies, mustard, pepper and many more. Additionally, the tea produced in our country, especially black tea, is one of the best in the whole world. All the beautiful tea estates and the different types of teas produced can be viewed en route to Nuwara Eliya.
With its vast types of herbals, Sri Lankan Ayurveda is still practiced today based on a heritage of over 3000 years and apart from creating a peaceful experience for the mind and body, it is also used to cure diseases naturally.
The artistic view of Sri Lanka’s culture includes handmade crafts out of which the Raksha Masks are highly used in Sri Lankan festivals and cultural dances, and as the word Raksha means devil, these are also used to chase the evil eye. In addition, Sri Lanka is one of the most important sources of gemstones, which provides our visitors the opportunity to witness the various types of gems such as blue sapphire, yellow sapphire, ruby, etc.
A composition of wonderful things is waiting to be discovered and experienced. Come, visit Sri Lanka with Andria Travels and get yourself a holiday like no other.
PROVINCES OF SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka is divided into nine provinces where majority of these contain must-see attractions:
- Western
- Central
- Southern
- Uva
- Sabaragamuwa
- North Western
- North Central
- Northern
- Eastern
THE WESTERN PROVINCE
Being one of the most populated and socio-economically developed provinces in Sri Lanka, the Western Province is also the starting point to all the activities of the tourism industry. It consists of three main districts: Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.
The Colombo and Kalutara Districts
The Colombo district is home to the country's capital city, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte but following the colonisation of the Portuguese, the city of Colombo was considered as the capital. As a consequence, both are recognised as the administrative and commercial capitals respectively.
It contains all the beautiful tourist attractions of Colombo such as the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo National Museum, Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, the Independence Square, Galle Face Green and the Colombo Lotus Tower. Towards the south of the district resides the Kalutara district which contains the stunning Calido Beach and the Kalutara Bodhiya.
The Gampaha District
The major point for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, the Bandaranaike International Airport, is situated in a suburb of its outstanding city of Negombo.
Historical attractions such as the Negombo Dutch Church (Saint Stephen’s Church) and the Saint Mary’s Church and sceneries of the Negombo Dutch Canal, Negombo Lagoon and Negombo Bearch could be witnessed. In addition, the Negombo Fish Market may be visited early in the morning to see the diverse types of fresh and dried fish.
THE CENTRAL PROVINCE
Comprising of three districts (Matale,Kandy and Nuwara Eliya), the Central Province is one of the most special provinces in Sri Lanka.
The Matale District
The Matale district is situated towards the north of the province and it is where the Knuckles Forest Reserve and the Sembuwatta Lake can be found. In addition, it includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites which are Sigiriya with its spectacular Lion Rock, the Dambulla city and the Dabulla Royal Cave Temple and Golden Temple. The Ritigala Andiyakanda Aranya Senasanaya (Temple) and the Pidurangala Rock are some other neighbouring attractions.
The Kandy District
The city of Kandy is the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical and most religious place, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic which contains the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha.
The widely known Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and greatest Buddhist and cultural festivals in Sri Lanka. It is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month honouring the first teaching given by the Lord Buddha after attaining enlightenment and as the word ‘Perahera’ suggests, it is a great parade made of traditional musicians, singers, dancers and acrobats along with stunningly dressed Tuskers and Elephants.
Apart from this marvellous event, beautiful attractions such as the Kandy view point, Royal Botanical Garden (Peradeniya), Udawatta Kele Sanctuary, Kandy Lake, Ambuluwawa Mountain Hill and the Bahirawakanda Vihara Buddha Statue (Temple) could be witnessed. All of this can also be visited when travelling to Digana.
The Nuwara Eliya District
Due to the high altitude, Nuwara Eliya is the coldest area in Sri Lanka where its beauty is outlined by wonderful tea estates surrounding it. It is also one of the most important cities as it is the pioneer to the production of Ceylon Black Tea.
On the way, the production of tea leaves at the Damro tea factory, the beauty of the Ramboda waterfall and the tea estates can be visited. Moreover, the Gregory Lake, Victoria Park, Lover’s Leap Waterfall, Moon Plains, Horton Plains National Park, the pink post office, Single Tree Hill, Pidurutalagala (Mount Pedro), Hakgala Botanical Gardens and Seetha Amman Kovil are the must-see attractions in Nuwara Eliya.
THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE
The Southern Province is composed of three main districts Galle, Hambantota and Matara. It is surrounded by many beautiful beaches and natural treasures along with important historical places.
The Galle District
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the southern province, the Galle city and it comprises the Galle Dutch Fort which is an important historical landmark, the Unawatuna and Jungle Beaches, the Koggala Lagoon and the skilful stilt fishermen.
Travelling towards the North, Bentota could be found with its lovely Madu River, the Beruwala Lighthouse and the Bentota Lagoon and towards the centre, moving along the coastline, the small but precious city of Hikkaduwa with its beautiful beach and Coral Reef can be witnessed.
The Hambantota District
The mesmerising beaches and one of the most important national parks of Sri Lanka are situated in this district. The Tangalle and Dickwella Beaches, the Hummanaya Blow Hole, the Rekawa Natural Turtle Beach and the Parewella Natural Swimming area are some of the most stunning views which can be obtained during the down south visit.
On the contrary, the city of Tissamaharama (Tissa) is home to the Yala National Park which contains numerous species of mammals and bird varieties. Additionally, the Tissa Lake and Tissa temple along with religious places such as the Kiri Vehera Temple and the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya could be visited.
The Matara District
The last but not the least exotic place to visit in the South of Sri Lanka is the city of Mirissa. The Coconut Tree Hill, Polhena Beach, Parrot Rock Bridge (Girigala), the Weligama Bay (surfing area) and the Matara Paravi Duwa Temple are its treasures. In this part of the country, there is the ability to observe whales, as well as dolphins.
THE UVA PROVINCE
Despite being the second least populated province combined of two districts; Badulla and Monaragala, the Uva province is home to spectacular natural attractions.
The Badulla District
In this part of Sri Lanka some traditional behaviours can be witnessed in the city of Mahiyanganaya by paying a visit to the aboriginal villages. Furthermore, a historical and hidden precious temple known as the Nagadeepa temple could be seen.
Towards the south of the district, the Ella city with its stunning tourist attractions such as the Little Adam’s Peak, Ravana fall and Ravana Cave, the Nine Arch Bridge, Lipton’s seat, Adisham Bungalow, Ella Rock and the Buduruwagala Raja Maha Viharaya can be found. These can be visited when travelling to Haputhale.
The Monaragala District
Being the second largest district in Sri Lanka, the Monaragala district hosts the sacred city of Kataragama. However, its attractions which are the Kiri Vehera Temple and the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya are visited when going to Tissamaharama.
THE SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE
The Ratnapura & Kegalle Districts
Two beautiful destinations, Sinharaja and Udawalawa, are situated in the Ratnapura district. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important forests in the island as it contributes to developing and maintaining its biodiversity and temperatures. The city of Udawalawa resides towards the south of the district with Udawalawa National Park and lake.
Places related to Elephants, one of the most adored creatures in the island, can be visited in Udawalawa at the Elephant Transit Home or in Pinnawala which comprises of the Elephant Orphanage and the Elephant Bathing Site.
THE NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCE
Equivalent to the Central Province, the North Central province is very precious as it consists of two important ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms which are also recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.
The Anuradhapura District
The sacred city of Anuradhapura, previously the centre of Theravada Buddhism, is the most important place to visit in the district. Composed of extremely precious ancient and cultural sites, Anuradhapura has a great historical value due to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya; a branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi situated in Buddha Gaya, India. The latter is the tree under which the Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. In addition, the Wilpattu National Park and another popular pilgrimage site, Mihinthale could be seen.
The Polonnaruwa District
The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is another must-see attraction where a greater knowledge regarding the history of Sri Lanka and Buddhism can be obtained. It is combined of ancient structures such as temples, statues, stupas and tombs which age up to more than thousands of years.
THE NORTHERN PROVINCE
The Northern Province covers five districts of the country (Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya) out of which the Jaffna district is the most important.
The Jaffna District
The district is home to the province’s capital, Jaffna, which consists of many religious and beautiful places. The Nallur Kovil, the Nagadipa Purana Viharaya and Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya which can be reached by boat, the Jaffna fort, Keerimalai Hot Springs and the Nilavarai Bottomless Well are its stunning attractions.
THE EASTERN PROVINCE
Consisting of three districts; Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara, the Eastern Province provides a spectacular moment of the dawn.
The Trincomalee District
The Trincomalee district is home to the city of Trincomalee which provides the opportunity to visit stunning attractions such as the Nilaweli Beach where whales and dolphins can be admired, the Pigeon Island, Koneshwaram Kovil, the Kanniya Hot Springs and the Fort Frederick.
The Batticaloa District
It is in this district that another beautiful city is residing, Pasikuda. The Pasikuda Beach provides the wonderful experience of walking kilometres into the sea as the water is only a few inches deep.
The Ampara District
The city of Arugam Bay situated in the Ampara district consists one of the most admired beaches by many tourists; the Arugam Bay beach (surfing area). Many other beautiful attractions such as the Crocodile Rock, Mr. Elephant Rock, the Kumana National Park, the Pottuvil point and the Muhudu Maha Viharaya can be visited along with the beautiful surroundings.
Andria Travels wishes you an amazing vacation in Sri Lanka.