10 Best Places In Sri Lanka To Explore Local Artifacts

Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Sigiriya also known as the Lion’s Rock is a rock fortress and a palace located in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. This ruin is surrounded by gardens, ponds and other structures. Sigiriya was built by King Kassapa and it is included as a World Heritage site. Sigiriya is the best preserved city centre in Asia. The Rock itself has its unique identity due to its shape not found anywhere else in the island and can be recognized miles away from the distance. Its view astonishes visitors with the unique harmony between nature and human imagination. The fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys and fountains.

Places to Stay – Jetwing Vil Uyana

Dambulla rock cave Temples

The Dambulla rock is situated at a height of 1118 feet above sea level. This is 600 feet high and more than 2000 feet long. It is home to the World’s most acclaimed Cave complex of brilliant Buddha Images and Rock Paintings of vivid colors and shapes constructed  and painted from around 2nd Century BC (Anuradhapura era ) and proceeded up to the Kandyan period of the 18th Century. Sinhalese individuals call it as ‘ Dambulu Gala’ ( Dambulla Rock) and the Temple is called as the ‘ Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya’ (Golden Rock Dambulla Temple).

Places to Stay – Jetwing Lake

Kelaniya temple

At Kelaniya, around 10km toward the upper east of Colombo in Sri Lanka, lays Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, One of the most loved historic Buddhist temples of the orient. Set on the summit of a little hill lapped by the waters of the river Kelani, This beautiful shrine presents one of the most panoramic views ever offered to the tourist by this small island.

Among the numerous Buddhists temples of Sri Lanka, The kelani Maha Viharaya emerges as a standout amongst the most wonderful cases of the sculptures art. Its history runs back to over 2500 years. In the times of yore, it generally got full regal support, and right up ’til today, it has been profoundly loved in the islands old stories.

Places to Stay – Jetwing Colombo 7

Mihintalaya

In 247 BC King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura (touristic city in Srilanka) was hunting a stag on Mihintale Hill when he was approached by Mahinda, son of the great Indian Buddhist emperor, Ashoka. Mahinda tested the king’s wisdom and, considering him to be a worthy disciple, promptly converted the king on the spot. Mihintale has since been associated with the earliest introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

The area of Mihintale surrounds with a jungle and there are rock boulders scattered around the mountainous area. There are many caves which were earlier used by monks for meditation in a quiet surrounding away from the main city of Anuradhapura.

Places to Stay – Palm Garden Village Hotel

Anurdhapura

The sacred city of Anuradhapura, now in picturesque ruins, was once a major center of Sri Lankan civilization This sacred city was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. The fascinating ancient ruins include huge bell-shaped stupas built of small sun-dried bricks, temples, sculptures, palaces, and ancient drinking-water reservoirs. The ruins are well preserved which is why the place is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Anuradhapura is a very good example of a place that illustrates the cultural heritage of ancient Sri Lankans, as well as a place filled with structures that illustrates the kind of architecture they used during those times.

Places to Stay – Palm Garden Village Hotel, Forest Rock Garden Hotel

Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala is a massive rock formation located a few kilometers north of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. It has an interesting history closely related to that of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Being less grand and far more difficult to climb it is often overlooked by tourists.

The Pidurangala area has been occupied on and off for over two thousand five hundred years by monks who lived in the caves around the site. It really came into prominence when King Kasyapa (477- 495 AD), who built Sigiriya, moved monks living around Sigiriya Rock to a newly refurbished and enlarged temple and monastery here at Pidurangala. Once you finally reach the top of Pidurangala Rock you will be greeted by a magnificent vista similar to that from the top of Sigiriya. From almost anywhere Sigiriya looms majestically. You can even see people climbing the stairs to the top of Sigiriya. On the highest point of Pidurangala Rock is a pile of rubble which is the remains of a Stupa.

Places to Stay – Jetwing Vil Uyana, Hotel Sigiriya

Polonnaruwa

Most usually alluded to as Sri Lanka’s second old capital, the city of Polonnaruwa is nevertheless a magnificently preserved city with rich archaeological monuments and natural beauty. Situated in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, when you visit Polonnaruwa you can see both is ancient city and also the new city which is located in 6km. The archeological sites are in a smaller format, within simple separation of each other, and tours are easily arranged either on foot or more popularly explored on bicycle. You can see many things in Polonnaruwa including the largest irrigation project done in Srilanka – Parakrama Samudraya, which is about 14km long.

Places to Stay – Heritance Kandalama

Galle

Galle is Sri Lanka’s fourth largest city that boasts an interesting history. It is home to nearly 80,000 people and is one of the most charming places to visit while exploring the island. It’s a Unesco World Heritage Site, this historic city is a pleasure to explore by walking, an endlessly exotic old trading port blessed with imposing Dutch-colonial buildings, antiquated mosques and churches, fantastic mansions and museums. Wandering around Galle you’ll pass upscale bistros, eccentric boutiques and impeccably reestablished lodgings possessed by locals and foreigners.

Places to Stay – Jetwing Light House, Amari, Galle Fort Hotel

Kandy

Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka is a major tourist destination. Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples the city could be called the cultural capital of the island. As an important religious center for the Sinhalese, the city holds many precious historical items of great value to the history of both the city and religion of the Sinhalese. There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city, namely, the Palace of the tooth relic, the Royal Palace, the Lankatilaka Temple, and the Gadaladeniya Temple. Also Kandy Perahera, the pageant of the temple of tooth where Buddha’s tooth is kept is held either in July or August each year to parade the golden caskets is a must see itenary if one is visiting Sri Lanka during these months but its vibrant cultural life and attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.

Places to Stay – Amaya Hills, Earls Regency, OZO Kandy, Mahaweli Reach

Jaffna

Jaffna, northern Sri Lanka. It is situated on a flat, dry peninsula at the island’s northern tip. The trading centre for the agricultural produce of the peninsula and nearby islands, it is linked with the rest of the country by road and a railway. Jaffna is no longer a major port but conducts some trade with southern India. Fishing is important in the economy.

It was kept from tourists trail due to the 30 year war which was ended in 2009.Now it’s a rising must see city in Srilanka for many reasons. There are many places to visit in Jaffna including places with high historical and cultural values like, Jaffna Fort (built in 1680), nearby Nainativu Island, Nagadeepa Purana Vihara and the spectacular Nallur Kovil. You can also sail out to nearby Delft Island and see the wild horses, left behind by the Portuguese in the 16th century

Places to Stay – Jetwing Jaffna, Hotel Thinnai