Sri Lanka beautifully blends beach with heritage, wildlife and spirituality, as these Sri Lanka photos show. Find out about some of Sri Lanka's top attractions in this gallery.
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
Pinnawala is an elephant orphanage, located halfway between Colombo and Kandy, northwest of Kegalla in the hills of central Sri Lanka. The sanctuary was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department. It's home to around 75 elephants. The highlight is when they take a bath in the river. The entrance fee, of $20, helps fund the upkeep of the elephants. Opinions of the sanctuary are mixed though, as elephants are chained and ridden.
Sigiriya Hill Palace Fort
Fascinating Sigiriya is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, it's comprised of the ruins of the capital constructed by King Kassapa I (477–95). Surrounding the rock are the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures.
The final ascent to the summit is through Lion Gate, where a gigantic brick lion once sat at the end of the rock. Today, only the paws remain. Sigiriya is also known for its colorful frescoes, painted onto the rock face around halfway to the top. On top of the rock, Kasyapa is believed to have built a pleasure palace and fortress. Expect to pay a costly $30 entry fee, per person. Most people say it's worth it though!
Nissanka Malla's Palace at Polonnaruwa
Nissanka Malla's Palace forms part of the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Only the foundation and few pillars remain of this building. Polonnaruwa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. The ruins comprise a range of monuments built by the ruling Cholas, and the grand gardens created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. The entrance fee to Polonnaruwa is $25 per person.
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