Sri Lanka is booming. It’s now almost ten years since the end of the devastating civil war which traumatized the country for a generation – a decade of peace which has seen Sri Lanka transform into one of Asia’s most vibrant and diverse destinations.
Few countries pack so much variation into such a compact space: world-class wildlife-watching, spectacular hills swathed in tea plantations, several of Asia’s greatest Buddhist monuments and some of its loveliest colonial towns – not to mention more stunning beaches than you could ever drop your towel on. And with new developments constantly unfolding, from enticing hotel openings to railways linking once-hard-to-reach regions, there’s never been a better time to add Sri Lanka to your travel list.
1. It’s now easier to explore the north
Sri Lanka’s far north really is another country: a land of Hindu Tamils in an island of predominantly Buddhist Sinhalese, closer, both physically and culturally, to India than Colombo. Getting there used to be half the adventure but is now easier than ever, with a superb new railway linking Jaffna to Colombo and Anuradhapura. It’s a fascinating but still little-visited region, now recovering gradually from the horrible toll of the civil war, for which it provided the main battleground.
Jaffna, the vibrant capital of the north, is the highlight, a beguiling mix of soaring Hindu temples and crumbling Dutch colonial architecture. Also to explore are the sublime seascapes of remote Mannar Island and the tranquil beaches and lagoons of low-key Mullaitivu. Mullaitivu was the scene of the Tamil Tigers' desperate last stand in 2009, and is now creeping back onto the radar of adventurous travellers curious to learn about this beautiful island’s darker past.
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2. There’s an ancient royal palace atop a giant rock
Age-old temples, ruined palaces, magnificent murals, venerable Buddhas, striking stupas – Sri Lanka has an extraordinary profusion of ancient monuments dating back to a quarter of a millennium before the birth of Christ. Nothing, however, matches Sigiriya, a historic royal palace built on top of a vast rock outcrop towering high above the central plains. To reach it requires an exhilarating, dizzying ascent passing intricate water gardens, exquisite murals of heavenly nymphs and the remains of one of the largest lions ever carved – of which, sadly only the feet survive.
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3. Its capital is a city transformed
One of Asia’s most underrated capitals, Colombo's attractions range from the fascinating crush of the Pettah bazaar district to the serene sweep of the seafront Galle Face Green. It's a city that has transformed spectacularly over recent years, mushrooming new sights and skyscrapers on a seemingly weekly basis. Among the ever-growing array of superb restaurants and cool clubs on offer, the stunning new Botanik Bistro and Bar on the roof of the swanky Fairway Colombo hotel should not be missed.
The historic Fort district has also been revamped. Until a few years back a wilderness of army emplacements and barbed wire, the district has now been restored to its former colonial pomp, with elegant streets of snowy white British Raj-era municipal buildings. The Fort distract is also home to a superb selection of places to eat and drink including the novel Ministry of Crab – recently voted one the top 50 restaurants in Asia – which is set in a 400-year-old Dutch hospital.
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