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Sri Lanka (Sanskrit for “Sacred Island”) is a tropical country just off the coast of India. It’s not a big place, being only a fraction of the size of Japan, but the beautiful thing about Sri Lanka is the sheer variety of activities available. Particularly for outdoorsy types, the natural features of the island are perfect for wildlife observation, hiking, camping, boating and other water-related recreation. For travellers interested in experiencing a new culture, Sri Lanka is as rich in heritage as it is in natural wonders.
Nature And Outdoors
When planning a trip to Sri Lanka, you should first decide what sort of activities you’ll be doing. Whether you want to go trekking and camping through the mountains, rock climbing, boating and paragliding along the beaches, diving in the ocean or even floating above the stunning landscape in a hot air balloon, you will want to check out one of the many national parks. Sri Lanka has no less than a dozen of them, displaying a variety of ecosystems, from jungles and lakes to lagoons and mountains, which contain an equally wide range of wildlife.
Rare animals such as leopards, sloth bears, golden jackals and elephants are visible on wildlife safaris. Trips to elephant sanctuaries in particular are offered by licensed tour guides and allow you to safely get close to the animals and even ride on their backs. Many parks also feature bird sanctuaries, where birdwatchers can spot some of the over 400 species of bird, including exotic flamingos, peacocks, herons and ibis, in their natural habitat.
Even More To Do
There’s an equally exotic and wide range of marine wildlife on display, whether among the mainland rivers and waterfalls or along the coasts. The clear ocean waters are perfect for skin-diving and scuba equipment is available to explore the coral ecosystems in deeper water. On the southwestern and southeastern beaches, sea turtles can be spotted at night and on the northwest and eastern coasts, dolphin and whale-watching expeditions happen daily.
If that wasn’t enough nature for you, the flora is just as varied as the fauna. The Royal Botanical Gardens of Paradeniya is one of many such gardens and features an Orchid House with upwards of 300 orchid species. All of this awe-inspiring nature on display is a result of an ongoing effort of the Department of Wildlife Preservation to maintain the beauty of Sri Lankan ecosystems. It paid off, allowing tourists to explore and enjoy the environment while keeping it in pristine condition.
Anuradhapura
However, the landscape is only one part of what you can explore. Colombo, the country’s largest and most modern city, has all sorts of cultural recreation, from museums, theatres and art galleries to diverse architecture and temples. But the most fascinating sites are the ruins of ancient cities and temples that have been preserved from as far back as 5 BC.
The most famous of these sites is Anuradhapura, which was once the capital city of the Sri Lankan Sinhalese people. Because of the religious history of the Sinhalese, Anuradhapura is regarded as sacred Hindu and Buddhist religious site, as with all the other ancient ruins throughout the country. As it is literally a city, there is a great deal to explore.
The Ancient City
One highlight is the Sri Mahan Bodhiya, which is purported to be a sapling of the legendary Buddha Tree where the Buddha achieved enlightenment. It was planted over 2000 years ago and is a site of pilgrimage for Buddhists all over the world. (Note: The locals consider it rude to take photographs of yourself posing next to any structure in a sacred temple, although pictures alone are allowed.)
Other highlights of the ruins include various sacred stupas and dagabas, which are large, domed mounds of brick or masonry crowned with temple or monastery structures. One of note is Jetavanaramaya, which stands 400 feet tall and is composed of over 93 million bricks, making it the largest brick structure in the world. Another is Abhayagiri Dagaba, which is in a bad state of ruin, but still exhibits beautiful examples of religious Buddhist artwork from the 3rd century including a famous moon stone at the foot of its steps, depicting the cycle of death and rebirth. Both are paramount religious sites in the Buddhist world and are testaments to ancient architecture.
Just The Beginning
This is only scratching the surface of the history and culture of Sri Lanka, but hopefully it has fascinated you enough to learn more. For a relatively small island nation, Sri Lanka is a microcosm of activity, perfect for travellers of all stripes. Check out the official tourist board’s website for more information or check this website in a few weeks to learn more about what should be one of your top travel destinations.
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