Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka boasts no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites listed by Unesco, ranging from sacred cities, palaces and cliff-top citadels to colonial strongholds, spanning close to 3,000 years of history. Sri Lanka is a land of excitement, bursting with colour, friendly people and fabulous things to see and do. Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50km wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form a land bridge between the two countries. The island about the same size as Ireland, West Virginia or Tasmania.
Colombo, the busy capital city of Sri Lanka is an excellent stop for shop-a-holics and lovers of Sri Langkan cuisine. With the international airport, nearby it’s worth stopping here for a night or two at the beginning or end of your holiday. Among the many places of interest in the city are the Fort, the Old Parliament House (presently the Presidential Secretariat), Buddhist temples, Old Churches, Hindu temples, Mosques, the National Museum, Independence Hall, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall and the Zoological Gardens. ‘Five Star’ international hotels and a large number of other hotels provide comfortable accommodation in the area.
The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524m Mt Pidurutalagala near Nuwara Eliya, and the longest river is the Mahaweli, which courses from the centre and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the south-western, southern and south-eastern coasts. Animal life is profuse and includes the elephant, as well as leopards, deer, monkeys, sloth bears, wild boar, snakes, crocodiles, dugong and turtles. The island is an important seasonal home to migrating birds, including flamingos, which flock to the lagoons, wetlands and bird sanctuaries.
Sri Lanka, like nearby India, appeals to a wide range of interests including walking, culture, ancient sites and outdoor activities that ensures a steady (ever increasing) trickle of tourists. In addition to the wide range of activities and interests, Sri Lanka has an excellent variety of accommodation.
South and West Coasts These are the famous beach areas of Sri Lanka and there is a wide choice of excellent accommodation. The West Coast is the more developed as it is closer to the airport. The South Coast is closer to National Parks. The old town of Galle, with its Dutch Fort, in the area is worth seeing as are numerous other sights.
Central Sri Lanka It was here that the early Kings created their cities and the whole area offers places of Sinhalese and Buddhist interest from the oldest site at Anuradhapura (380 BC) to the more recent (10th century) medieval capital at Polonnuruwa. The rock fortress at Sigiriya (5 AD) is extremely impressive and the Cave Temples at Dambulla (1 BC) are definitely worth visiting.
Kandy and the Highlands The hill country of central Sri Lanka offers a totally different experience with its green vistas and cool, comfortable climate. Kandy is where the old capital of Ceylon was situated and where the British created huge tea plantations. Places that may be visited while in this scenic area include the elephant orphanage; Nuwara Eliya, the highest town in Sri Lanka; Horton Plains (where you can walk to World’s End – a drop of 700m); Adam’s Peak and the gem centre of Ratnapura. Sri Lanka offers leisure and pleasure opportunities at a gentle pace; this is no package holiday destination but rather one to be savoured by discerning travellers who enjoy discovering their own diversions.
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