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World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
They range from sites boasting thousands of years of history to dynamic natural sites.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka, is home to one of the country's most dynamic and dramatic landmarks: Sigiriya Rock. In the late 5th century, Prince Kashyapa, born as the eldest son of King Dhatusena to a mother of lower birth, seized the throne by assassinating his father and exiling his half-brother, the rightful heir. Kashyapa then established his throne atop a massive rock formation within the jungle, relocating the capital to this new site. Under his rule, Sigiriya developed advanced infrastructure and is thought to have been one of the most modern cities of its time. The city also featured sophisticated technology, such as a system that used wind power to pump water from the ground to the summit—a feat of engineering that remains only partially understood today. Halfway up the rock, there are vibrant frescoes of women known as the Sigiriya Ladies. Although only 18 figures remain today, it is said that originally about 500 celestial maidens were depicted on the rock’s surface. The summit is believed to have had pools and even entertainment facilities, and Kashyapa’s hedonistic lifestyle has marked him as a unique figure among the kings of Sri Lanka. Sigiriya continues to attract countless tourists from both within the country and around the world. Due to its popularity, there is a wide range of accommodation options in Sigiriya, from guesthouses to luxury hotels, allowing visitors to choose according to their preferences. Tourist Attractions: Originally, Sigiriya was a small village with little more than the iconic Sigiriya Rock. However, nearby Pidurangala Rock has gained popularity with tourists in recent years. In addition, elephant rides are available on routes around Sigiriya Rock, and there are three nearby national parks, including Minneriya National Park, where visitors can enjoy jeep safari tours. Getting There: From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), it is a journey of just over four hours by car. Recently, domestic flights through airlines like Cinnamon Air have made it possible to reduce travel time by air. As there are no direct trains or express buses, most travelers opt for car transportation. Best Times to Visit: Although there is no distinct tourist season, certain times of year, such as the New Year holiday season, the Sri Lankan New Year in April, and the August summer vacation period, see a high concentration of both foreign and Sri Lankan visitors. During these peak times, the parking area can become extremely crowded, with long lines to enter. Additionally, the midday heat can be intense, so it is recommended to visit during the less crowded early hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for a more comfortable experience.
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is located about 200 km north-northeast of Colombo and is the capital of the North Central Province of Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. It has ruins registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has flourished as a Buddhist city with a long history as a pilgrimage site for Sri Lankans. Not only Sri Lankan pilgrims but also many foreign tourists visit Anuradhapura, so there are many guesthouses, small to medium-sized hotels and boutique hotels. The city is still developing, and is bustling with numerous shops, fast food restaurants, restaurants and department stores. ■Tourist attractions: The main attraction is the ruins of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a World Heritage Site. There are also many other attractions, such as the Ruwan Welisaya Stupa and Isurumuniya Vihara, which are objects of worship. In addition to the World Heritage Sites, Wilpattu National Park, famous for its safari tours, is about 30 minutes drive south, and is popular as an area where you can observe leopards. ■How to get there: It's about a four-hour drive north from Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB). Once you're in Colombo city, there is a train that departs from Colombo Fort Railway Station, so if your schedule allows, this is a good option. ■Season: Anuradhapura's rainy season generally runs from October to December, with heavy rainfall during this period. The next rainiest month is April. The dry season runs from June to September, and in recent years extreme dry periods have caused damage to crops and even led to water shortages for residents' daily lives.
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is an ancient city located in the inland central-eastern part of Ceylon. This city, which is home to a magnificent collection of huge Buddhist ruins, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the capital of the Sinhalese dynasty in the 10th to 12th centuries, and was such a famous Buddhist city that monks from neighboring Buddhist countries came to visit. When you enter the city by car from the direction of Sigiriya, you will see a large lake-like reservoir on your right. This reservoir, called "Parakrama Samudra," was built as a result of the ancient kings' continued efforts to control flooding in order to support agriculture in Polonnaruwa, which is located in a dry area with little rain. Thanks to the benefits of Parakrama Samudra, Polonnaruwa is overflowing with abundant water compared to the surrounding areas, and even today, waterways run through the villages, where adults and children can be seen swimming and washing clothes. This area in particular suffers from water shortages in the dry season to the point where wells dry up, so flood control was a fundamental and vital issue for the city. The abundance of water in Polonnaruwa, which has continued for over 1,000 years, can be said to be the gift of the foresight of the ancient kings. ■Tourist attractions: The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the biggest attraction is the huge stone structures. Also, Medirigiriya, a famous ruin located about an hour's drive northwest of Polonnaruwa, is a stupa called Somawathiya Raja Maha Viharaya, which is not yet well known to foreign tourists, about 40 km northeast of Polonnaruwa by car. This place is currently located inside Somawathiya National Park, and it is said to have existed before the Buddha's Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka. It is a holy place visited by a large number of pilgrims from within Sri Lanka, and is also known for the slightly unusual rumor that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) appear in the sky above. ■How to get there: It's about a 6-hour taxi ride from Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB). There is a train from Colombo Fort Station to Polonnaruwa Station, which is a 7-hour journey. ■Season: There is no particular season for tourism, but during Buddhist holidays in Sri Lanka, hotels can get very crowded with domestic pilgrims, so it's best to check in advance.
Holy Land Kandy
Kandy is a city located in the central region of the island of Ceylon and was the last capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom. The British overthrew the Sinhalese Kingdom in 1815. During the Congress of Vienna, held to divide European territories, the British formally acquired the Cape Colony from the Dutch, along with control of Kandy, which had previously resisted foreign rule. However, it is said that the monarchy's power had already weakened due to internal conflicts within the kingdom. What makes Kandy particularly special in Sri Lanka is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is said to house one of the Buddha's canine teeth. Every year during the Perahera festival, a reliquary containing the tooth is paraded on the back of an elephant, with elephants adorned in batik cloth and dancers performing along the procession. This celebration is known as the Esala Perahera. Although Kandy has many attractions, it differs from the modernized commercial city of Colombo. Kandy retains a relaxed, historic atmosphere, giving it a unique charm. Tourist Attractions: The main attraction is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the Kandy Lake Club, where visitors can enjoy traditional Kandyan dance performances each evening, draws many tourists. Other sites include the White Buddha statue on the hilltop, the Kandy Lake area, and historic temples in the nearby countryside, such as Lankatilaka, Embekka, and Gadaladeniya, all accessible to visitors. The vast Peradeniya Botanical Garden is also ideal for observing plants and animals and is known for its large colony of bats. Getting There: From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), it is about a 3.5-hour journey by car. For those traveling by train, you would first need to go to central Colombo and then take a direct train from Colombo Fort Station. Best Times to Visit: There is no specific tourist season, and Kandy is worth visiting year-round, though October and November see increased rainfall. The Esala Perahera festival is held over a two-week period from the new moon to the full moon in the month of Esala. Originally a ritual to pray for rain, the festival dates back to the 3rd century BCE. The current form of the festival combines the Dalaada Perahera, which honors the Sacred Tooth Relic. The festival usually takes place in August, coinciding with the Sri Lankan school holidays and European summer vacations, making it an exceptionally crowded time. To view the festival, special seating tickets are required.
Golden Temple of Dambulla
Dambulla is an old historic town located slightly north of the center of Ceylon. It is about 160 km northeast of Colombo city and less than 30 minutes by car from Sigiriya Rock. Not only is it famous as the town where the Dambulla Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located, but it is also an important transportation hub, as it is the intersection of national highways to Trincomalee, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna to the north, Kandy to the south, and Anuradhapura to the northwest. In addition, the famous Geoffrey Bawa design hotel, Heritance Kandalama, is located nearby, making it a base town for those heading to the hotel. ■Tourist attractions: First of all, the Dambulla Cave Temple, located on top of a rock mountain in the city, is a must-see tourist spot. About 30 minutes away from the town, there is Rosequartz Mountain, a huge mountain of rose quartz, which is a tourist attraction and is also popular as a sacred place. The World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock, is located about 30 minutes north of the town. Dambulla Town is always bustling with locals, and trucks from all over the country gather there because of the huge vegetable wholesale market. It has all the basic town facilities, such as banks, restaurants, government hospitals, cafes, and numerous hotels. ■How to get there: It is about a 4-hour drive from Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB). If there is a traffic jam, there is no way out, and it is a very time-consuming route, so when heading from Dambulla to the airport, be sure to allow plenty of time in case of delays. Domestic flights to Sigiriya by Cinnamon Air depart from Bandaranayake International Airport by Cinnamon Air, so you can hurry if you are on a budget. There is no direct train, so you will need to get off at a station in a town several tens of kilometers away and transfer to a three-wheeler or similar. ■Season: There is no particular season. The Dambulla Cave Temple is also a place of worship for Sri Lankan Buddhists, so it tends to get very crowded during Sri Lankan holidays, summer vacations, and the New Year holidays.
Old town of Galle and its fortifications
Galle is a major city in the southernmost part of Sri Lanka, located in the southern part of Ceylon. It has a long history as a port city, and due to its geographical advantage, traders from Europe, the Arab world, Persia, India, and the Orient have visited and traded here. After falling under Portuguese rule, it was taken over by the Dutch, and in 1663, a fortress, now a World Heritage Site, was built to defend the city from foreign enemies. In 1796, the British took control, but it is said that Galle flourished most during the period of Dutch rule in the 18th century, and even today, traces of the Dutch can be seen everywhere in the town. Currently, the proportion of Muslim residents is high, and it is also a city where many people who immigrated from Europe and the United States live. ■Tourist attractions: The fortress and old town, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, have several famous places such as museums that introduce the history of Galle, and the good location facing the sea makes it a popular surfing spot. The Galle Fort area is very popular with tourists, with stylish cafes, restaurants, and gelato shops run by foreigners. Popular shops such as ODEL, Dutch Hospital, and Barefoot, which have their main store in Colombo, are opening branches in Galle one after another. ■How to get there: From Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB), drive on the highway twice and head south for about 3.5 hours. You can also take the train from Colombo Fort Station in Colombo to Galle without changing trains. In addition, there are express buses to Galle city from MMC Kottawa, an express bus station in Kottawa, a suburb of Colombo. ■Season: The high season in the southwest coast area, including Galle, is from November to early April. It rains a lot from September to October, and there are also heavy downpours due to monsoons, so it is best to visit outside the rainy season as much as possible.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a vast area of pristine tropical rainforest located inland in the southwestern part of the island of Ceylon. As Sri Lanka’s last remaining undisturbed rainforest, over 60% of the trees here are endemic species, many of which are rare. The reserve is home to a diverse range of endemic wildlife, especially bird species, as well as over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic mammals and butterflies, and numerous types of insects, reptiles, and rare amphibians. Visitors can enter the forest reserve from either the northern Ratnapura side or the southern Deniyaya side, accompanied by a certified guide. To meet the needs of visitors, a variety of accommodations are available, especially near the Kudawa Research Centre at the northern gate, where there are nature-focused luxury villas and lodges. Tourist Attractions: Trekking tours within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve are the main attraction in this area. There are two main entry gates to the reserve: one on the southern side near Deniyaya and the other on the northern side at the Kudawa Research Centre, located south of Ratnapura. The northern gate is more developed and is the preferred entry point for many visitors. Reservations are not required for individual travelers. Visitors purchase entrance tickets at the nature park office and start the trekking tour with a specialized guide from the office. The entrance fee includes the cost of the guide, but it is customary to tip the guide at the end of the tour. It’s important to check your attire in advance. Sandals are not recommended, as they can be slippery and leave you vulnerable to leech bites. Water-resistant, comfortable walking shoes are best, and short sleeves are generally suitable for the weather. Carrying a backpack for storing any food wrappers or plastic bottles is advised, as littering is strictly prohibited in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Getting There: Both the northern and southern gates are about a 4.5 to 5-hour journey from Bandaranaike International Airport. As there is no railway access, chartering a taxi is the most efficient way to reach the park. Best Times to Visit: May, and September to October, are the rainiest months of the year. During these periods, heavy rainfall can make access by vehicle difficult, so it is best to avoid visiting in October, in particular, if possible.
Sri Lanka's Central Highlands
Horton Plains National Park is a national park located in the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. It is best known for World’s End, a popular trekking destination, but the broader area, including the nearby Knuckles Forest Reserve and Peak Wilderness Protected Area, is registered as a World Natural Heritage site. To reach Horton Plains, visitors must travel approximately 23 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya by jeep or other vehicle and enter the park through the main gate. If the weather is favorable, there is a good chance to observe herds of deer, endemic bird species, and unique plant life. The Central Highlands, including Nuwara Eliya, are famous for their misty climate. While the misty conditions are ideal for tea cultivation, they can also obscure the scenic views. Therefore, it is recommended to depart from Nuwara Eliya around 5 a.m. on a clear day to avoid the mist and enjoy the landscape at its best.
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