Historical Sites

Sacred City of Kandy

Since the 16th century, Kandy, also known as Maha Nuwara (“Great City”), was the capital for many Kings who ruled Sri Lanka. Kandy, located in the Central Highlands at an elevation of 500 meters above sea-level, lies between the Mahaweli River and the shores of a man-made lake constructed by the last king in the 18th century.

The city is home to the temple Sri Dalada Maligawa, where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is preserved. The Kandy Esala Perahera, held in August, is the largest and most colorful annual festival. The festival lasts 10 days, each day bringing torch lit parades of traditional dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants, commemorating the sacred tooth relic. The city was designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations (UNESCO) in 1988.

Kandy is also the home of the Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia, and the University of Peradeniya, the first fully residential university in Sri Lanka.
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Sigiriya

Sigiriya or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace, located near the town of Dambulla. It is the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka and has significant archaeological importance. The fortress includes remnants of ruined palaces, surrounded by a vast network of gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains. Considering the uniqueness of Sigiriya, UNESCO declared the Lion Rock Fortress a World Heritage site in 1982.
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Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, another city in Sri Lanka, was a seat of power for many kings over several centuries. The city is famous for its many temples and palace ruins. The city is also the home of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Tree of Enlightenment) believed to have been brought from Bodh Gaya, a city in India, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city offers many opportunities to experience Sri Lankan culture including nature trails, and authentic cuisines.
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Old City of Galle

Built by the Europeans, the Old Town of Galle and its colonial era fort is the best example of a well-guarded city in South Asia. The old city displays the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions. As a UNESCO World Heritage site the city is a delight to explore by foot with its exotic, old Dutch colonial trading post, ancient mosques and churches, grand mansions, and museums.
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Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was one of the ancient capital cities of Sri Lanka, established after Anuradhapura. The ruins of the city lie on the east shore of artificial Lake Parakrama Samudra, both built by King Parakramabahu I during the 12th century. The many highlights in Polonnaruwa include ancient reservoirs, palaces, temples and many archeological ruins.
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Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Rainforest, spanning an area of 18,900 acres, was inscribed a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1988. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Biodiversity Hotspot. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. Besides the exotic plant life, the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.
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