ANURADHAPURA
Most extensive and important of the Sri Lankan ancient
cities, the city of Anuradhapura was found in the 4th
century BC and is famous for its Dagabas (Temples), Reservoirs,
and beautifully landscaped gardens, the ruins of which
still remain to this day.
The sacred Bo Tree (the world's oldest tree on record)
"Jayasri Maha Bodhi" and the "Ruwanwali
Seya" Temples are two of Sri Lanka's most
sacred places found in Anuradhapura. In addition to this
there are many other historical and religious sites found
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BENTOTA
Bentota lies at the finishing end of the “Golden
Mile” which is an hour’s drive from Colombo.
Famous for it’s prime beaches Bentota is today one
of Sri Lanka’s most sought after tourist destinations.
The town of Bentota actually, sits on an estuary, where
the river and the sea meet. This makes the area quite
famous for water sports like windsurfing, scuba diving
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BUNDALA
NATIONAL PARK
The Bundala National Park is a secluded reserve which
is renowned for its herds of wild Elephants. Located in
the South East of Sri Lanka, the park houses hundreds
of interesting species of birds, amphibians and reptiles
making it an ideal location for nature lovers.
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COLOMBO
Colombo is the cultural capital and the largest city and
commercial center of Sri Lanka.
Apart from excellent shopping, the city of Colombo offers
visits to one of the worlds leading tea auctions, seasonal
Buddhist and Hindu pageants, international cricket tournaments,
plush casinos, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent
restaurants.
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DAMBULLA
Dambulla, a world heritage site in Sri Lanka, is located
north of Kandy in Matale district.
Built around a large granite outcrop, Dambulla town conceals
an impressive Buddhist
cave complex, Raja Maha Vihara, dating from the 1st century
BC. It is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex
in Sri Lanka.
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GALLE
Sri Lanka’s 04th biggest town located south of Colombo
is a town rich in history and in fact, was the centre
of Dutch rule in the 17th century. The City of Galle which
has been declared as a world heritage site, is one of
the best-preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia.The
Dutch Museum, Groote Kerk (Great Church) and the National
Maritime Museum are some of the famous tourist attractions
in Galle.
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HORTON
PLAINS
The Horton plains form an undulating plateau over 2000
meters high, which consists mainly of grasslands interspersed
with patches of forest, with some unusual high-altitude
vegetation.
The most unique feature of the Horton Plains is the "World's
End", a sheer 1,000 feet vertical escarpment which
visitors throng to see.
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KANDY
The city of Kandy is a city in the centre of Sri Lanka.
The monumental ensemble of Kandy is an example of construction
that associates the Royal Palace and the Temple of the
Tooth. The key attraction of Kandy, the Temple of the
Tooth, is a palace complex a product of the last peregrination
of the relic of the tooth of Lord Buddha and the testimony
of a cult which continues to be practiced today. Kandy
has now grown out to encompass Peradeniya,
home to the Botanical Gardens.
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MINNERIYA NATIONAL PARK
This National Park is situated in the Polonnaruwa district
in the North Central Province
of Sri Lanka and covers an area of 8,889 hectares. Most
favoured species include Deer, Sambhurs, Monkeys, Mongoose,
Leopard, Bats and reptiles like Crocodiles, Pythons, and
Monitors. Around 160 species of birds, 09 amphibians,
25 reptile species, 26 fish species and more than 78 butterfly
species have been found in the Minneriya National Park.
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NEGOMBO
The western coastal region starts from Negombo, a bustling
town situated just 12 km away from the Bandaranaike International
Airport north of Colombo. Negombo is home to the largest
Catholic community in Sri Lanka, which can be considered
as a legacy of the Portuguese, who industriously spread
Catholicism during their rule. Many 17th-century Dutch
buildings also remain in Negombo. |
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NUWARA ELIYA
Also known as the “Little England”, Nuwara
Eliya was the favourite hill station of the British who
tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village.
The old brick Post office, country house like hill club,
with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and
fish,
and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf
course, race course etc., all remind
you of 'England'.
Blessed with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of
valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; it's hard to
imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot
and humid Colombo. |
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PERADENIYA BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, a breathtaking river
girdled 57 hectare gardens is among the finest in the
world. It is surrounded by tropical flora including fine
collections of orchids, aromatic spices, medicinal herbs,
palms and rare endangered plant species. These gardens
were the naturally camouflaged operations headquarters
of SEAC Supreme Allied Commander, Lord Louis Mountbatten
during the 2nd World War.
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PINNAWALA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE
Pinnawela Elephant orphanage is a riverside sanctuary
located on the way to Kandy which cares for elephants
displaced from wild habitats. Established in 1975 with
seven orphans, now the orphanage is home to hundreds of
abandoned or injured elephants who are
looked after with warmth, love and affection.
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POLONNARUWA
Yet another well planned medieval city, Polonnaruwa is
defended by enclosed walls,
graced by palaces, shrines, monasteries, pavilions, parks,
ponds and irrigation lakes
which bear witness to a glorious past. A dominant feature
of the city, is the vast irrigation lake of 5940 acres
aptly named "Parakrama Samudraya" or the sea
of Parakrama after its royal builder King Parakramabahu
depicted an example of the advanced engineering and construction
skills prevalent during the ancient times
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SIGIRIYA
The spectacular Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, 19 kilometers
North East of Dambulla is one of Sri Lanka’s major
attractions. The Rock was the home of the "King Kasyapa”
who built his fortress in this 182-meter high rock to
protect himself from his enemies. Sigiriya is also famous
for the “Mirror wall” and its magnificent
frescoes of shapely be-jewelled maidens, vibrant colours
and the water garden similar to the Ajantha frescoes of
India. Sigiriya is in fact, is the best-preserved city
center in Asia from the first millennium and has been
named as a UNESCO world heritage site and 08th Wonder
of the World.
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TRINCOMALEE
Little visited in recent years, the atmospheric city of
Trincomalee is set amongst miles of golden-sand beaches,
where visitors are few and a warm welcome is assured.
Located
on one of the world’s best natural harbors, now
it is one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine
tourist destinations, with Buddhist and Hindu Temples
set alongside churches and mosques. Also its palm-fringed
beaches are perfect for swimming and scuba diving from
May to October. |
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UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK
The Uda-Walawe National Park is situated in & around
the Uda-Walawe Reservoir in
South central Sri Lanka. Herds of wild elephants roam
the banks of the reservoir while
small game like deer or barking deer are spotted regularly
as well. |
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YALA
Yala National Park is one of the key attractions in South
East of Sri Lanka. The reserve covers 979 km², although
only the original 141 km² are open to the public.
Much of the reserve is parkland, but it also contains
jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes and rivers and scrubland.
Yala has the world's highest concentration of Leopards,
although seeing this largely nocturnal carnivore still
requires some luck. There are good numbers of Asian Elephants,
crocodile, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo and Grey langurs amongst
other large animals. |
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