If you love golden beaches, mighty elephants, misty mountains, rising waves, and warm people, then Sri Lanka should be the place to visit in 2016. There are many scenes and sites that are located in one small island. In this country, travel destinations offer a wide range of holiday destinations from wildlife watching, soaking in the sun and sandy beaches, wide variety of sports to choose from and rich culture.
The hospitality industry in the island is world famous for its beautiful hotels, spicy and delicious food, a wide selection of sweet meats and exotic fruits. You can also plan your holiday along the many festivals that happen throughout the year to enjoy total leisure and fun.
The following are some of the best popular destinations you can visit if you are planning a holiday in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya
Built in the 5th century by king Kasyapa, these ruins are some of the most ancient in Sri Lanka. The view from the top is just amazing considering it is located on top of a rocky plateau. You will find paintings, which are more than 1500 years old. It is one of the most popular archaeological sites in south East Asia. It has already been named as a world heritage site and remains a place of pilgrimage.
Polonnaruwa
The history of medieval Sri Lanka is all preserved here. This is a compact and ancient city with stone sculptures dating back to the 12th century. The Gal Vihara is another feature found on this site. It consists of three large Buddha figures. One sculpture is sitting, the other standing while the third one is reclining and is 13 meters long. It is one of the most sacred monuments in the whole of Sri Lanka and is located along a dirt road.
Kandy
Set on a beautiful man-made lake, was the last fort of the Sinhala Kings. It offers a great history and many traditional records. The greatest annual spectacle in sri lanka, the Esala Perahera Festival is held here. Elephants and people from all over the country are paraded in the courtyards of this ancient temple. The star attraction of this place is the Dalada Maligawa, locally known as the temple of the tooth. It consists of a sacred relic in a casket that is well guarded.
Elephant Orphanage
Among the most popular attractions in Sri Lanka, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage provides a home for young and abandoned elephants. Situated in Kegalle, a hill country, it has around 60 elephants that are given housing, food, and animal care. Watching the animals soak in the rivers is always a joy to watch. It attracts tourists from all over the globe.
Colombo
You cannot mention the key places to visit in sri lanka and leave out the capital city. A modern city, Colombo is filled with restaurants, good hotels, al fresco cafes and all forms of shopping. At the North side is the Fort, which currently houses many government offices. It was initially a colonial stronghold. Towards the south side is the Galle Face Green, which hosts informal cricket games.
There are many places to have fun, if you are visiting Sri Lanka in 2016. From ancient cities full of history and culture, to the amazing wildlife, there will be a lot to explore. Travelmood has a great Sri Lanka travel guide you should read. Enjoy delicious meals in the city and your holiday will be complete.
