Sri Lanka：The Land of the Elephants and Endless Sun-Kissed Beaches

Sri Lanka is a country full of romantic landscapes, picturesque mountains, lush green tea gardens and golden beaches that make for a perfect holiday. Here are some places you have to check out when visiting the country.

1. Pidurangala Rock (Sigiriya)

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Pidurangala is a massive rock formation in Sri Lanka that has a fascinating history and is one of the most popular spots to head to in Sri Lanka. This is the place where King Kassapa of Sri Lanka relocated the Buddhist monks who had occupied the area around Sigiriya. Visitors can hike through the woods to the top of the rocky summit which offers gorgeous and panoramic views over the surrounding area.

The Buddhist temple and a massive reclining statue of Buddha are also well worth checking out. This unique rock is perfect for those who love nature and an atmosphere of seclusion while enjoying extensive views of the hilly landscape in Sri Lanka.

2. Lion Rock (Sigiriya)

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The lion’s rock also known as sigiriya is a rock fortress and a palace in the Matale district of Sri Lanka. The Sigiriya Rock is a hardened magma plug from an extinct volcano and the most significant feature of the rock is the Lion staircase leading to the palace garden. The only remains of this majestic sightseeing structure are the two paws and the masonry walls surrounding it.

The rock is included as a World Heritage sightseeing spot in Sri Lanka by UNESCO. The lion’s rock is surrounded by gardens, ponds and many other structures and it was built by King Kassapa.

3. Little Adam's Peak (Ella)

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Little Adam’s Peak is one of breathtaking view and scenery worth sightseeing visit in Sri Lanka. The peak is popular because of its stunning view that never fails to impress visitors. The path to this peak is straight making the walk less complicated for hikers. The peak is filled with beautiful trees and plants as well as Resorts and hotels built to serve those sightseeing visitors on a tour in this part of Sri Lanka.

4. Royal Botanical Gardens (Kandy)

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Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens are a beautiful, perfectly maintained set of gardens providing a vast expanse of greenery outside the city of Kandy. These stunning gardens were once reserved for Kandyan royalty but today, many tourists, both domestic and foreign, can go there to enjoy some of the most impressive botanical gardens in Sri Lanka. Within the delightfully landscaped greenery, visitors will come across numerous birds including endemic species like the Yellow Fronted Barbet, Layards Parakeet, Sri Lankan Hanging Parrot and many more.

5. Mihintale (Anuradhapura)

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Mihintale is a small town in Sri Lanka that contains numerous fascinating historical and religious sites centered around a granite outcrop south of the town. The area is believed to be the site where Buddhism first came to the island in Sri Lanka and is one of the most revered places for Buddhists in the country. It's a wonderful place to go for a trip steeped in history, religion and surrounded by some of the country's most stunning scenery.

6. Gal Vihara (Polonnaruwa)

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Gal Viharaya has a couple of beautiful and attractive Buddha images which are part of the Parakramabahu northern monastery and also contain Sinhalese rock carvings. The large Samadhi Buddha statue, which is one of the finest Buddha statues in Sri Lanka, has a height of around 16 feet. It also features some decorations in the back wall. The statues are very impressive and present a great opportunity for those who will love taking photographs during their sightseeing trip in Sri Lanka. During a visit to this place you will be impresses by the great talent and efforts that went into the sculpting and carving of the ancient Sinhalese works of art.

7. The Golden Temple (Dambulla)

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One of the most sacred sites on the island, the Golden Temple is the largest and best-preserved complex of cave temples in Sri Lanka. More than 80 caves are spread around this complex, five of them being the most famous with imposing statues and paintings decorating the walls. A wonderful insight into Sri Lankan history, the caves are thought to have been occupied since 3000 years ago since skeletons dating back to that period had been found. The temple complex dates back to around the first century BC after Buddhism was introduced to the country.

8. Udawalawe National Park (Udawalawe)

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Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to see wild elephants during a sightseeing trip in Sri Lanka along with being an important habitat for water birds. The park was started so as to provide a place for wild animals that were displaced during the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir that is on the Walawe River, and also to protect the catchment of the reservoir.

9. Bentota Beach (Bentota)

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One of the best beach resorts on the island, Bentota is a beautiful stretch of golden sand lined with a number of quality restaurants, most of which specialize in seafood. The seaside town is also popular for a number of water sports you can participate in there such as windsurfing and diving.

Conclusion

With stunning destinations such as the Lion’s rock, little Adams peak and the Golden temple of Dambulla along with many others, visitors are guaranteed to enjoy their experiences in Sri Lanka. You can make use of our list of top sightseeing destinations in Sri Lanka to help you plan for your sightseeing trip of Sri Lanka

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