Sri Lanka, known as "the teardrop of India", is a small but amazing island with ancient history and rich culture. There are eight remarkable world's heritages designated by UNESCO in Sri Lanka-Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands are two natural landmarks and others are cultural ones.
1. Ancient City of Sigiriya (1982)
Sigiriya, also called "The Lion Rock", is both a rock fortress and palace constructed by King Kasyapa at the end of the 5th Century. A gateway is built in the form of enormous lion, hence the name Lion's Rock. The flat rock surface has ruins of an upper palace, a terrace at mid-level with the Lion Gate, mirror wall and beautiful frescoes, a lower palace and of course the walled gardens and moats at the bottom.
Travel Tips: Climbing the Sigirya Rock is not an easy task and you will pass through some large rock structures.
2. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura (1982)
Anuradhapura is the cradle of ancient Sri Lankan civilization and the sacred centre of the island's Buddhism. There are some well preserved ruins of ancient palaces, monasteries and monuments attracting visitors to explore. Anuradhapura is a fitting climax to any tour of the Cultural Triangle and world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. Anuradhapura was the royal seat of more than 250 Buddhist and Hindu kings recorded in the royal genealogies, and the preeminent city on the island for some 1400 years.
The city now a UNESCO heritage site lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya.
Travel Tips: The ruins of Anuradhapura are more scattered and you should select some to visit.
3. Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (1982)
Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, after the first capital of Anuradhapura. Even today, this ancient city is considered the best example of a meticulously planned Archealogical site, which is a reflection of the greatness displayed by the rulers of that era.
Travel Tips: Polonnaruwa is much more compact and you are suggested to visit it by bike, or have to be prepared for 6-10 kilometers of walk.
4. Sacred City of Kandy (1988)
Kandy is generally recognized as Sri Lanka's cultural capital and home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, one of Sri Lanka's holiest shrines. If you visit city in July or August, you can experience Kandy Esala Perehera, an annual ritual of the Sacred Tooth Temple. The relic itself is a tooth of the Lord Buddha which was saved from his funeral pyre and is venerated by all Buddhists. Historically this relic has been very important since whoever had it in his possession was considered the ruler of the country. For this reason the kings who ruled in the past went to great lengths to protect it.
Travel Tips: The rail journey from Colombo to Kandy is highly recommended. You can get a taste of Kandy cultural dance as well.
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