Anuradhapura - First Sri Lankan Kingdom
Anuradhapura is the first ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD.
The Sri Maha Bodhi, Thuparamaya, Ruwanweliseya, Mirisaveti Stupa, The Brazen Palace, Abayagiri Dagaba, Jetawanaramaya, Isurumuniya, Samadhi Statue, Kuttam Pokuna are some of the important places.
Polonnaruwa - Second Sri Lankan Kingdom
Polonnaruwa is the second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms. It was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader.
Sigiriya - The Rock Fortress
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India.
The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 ? 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Dambulla - The Rock Temple
It129 Km away from Colombo and 465 metres above sea level, is Kandy, the charming hill capital, cultural centre of the island and a World Heritage City.
Nestling amidst low hills, and looped by the Mahaweli river, Sri Lanka's largest, Kandy is still the home of the arts and crafts, music and dance and song which flourished under the patronage of the Kandyan Kings.
Nuwara Eliya - Little England
Situated at around 2000m above sea level and surrounded by lush tea plantations Nuwara Eliya is the main hill resort of Sri Lanka and the heart of the tea industry.
Once a pleasure retreat of the European planters the town is still very much an English town with many English style bungalows and buildings.
Yala National Park - Safari
Yala National Park or Ruhuna National Park is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province.
The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres from Colombo.
Peradeniya - Botanical Garden
The origins of the Botanic Gardens dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the throne and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli river this was followed by King Kirti Sri and King Rajadhi Rajasinghe.
A temple was built on this location by King Wimala Dharma but it was destroyed by the British when they were given control over the Kandyan Kingdom. There after the ground work for a Botanical Garden were formed by Mr Alexandar Moon in 1821.
Temple of Tooth Relic
This is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha.
Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.
Pinnawla - Elephant Openage
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the present commerciel capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka.
There are about 84 elephants under protection. The orphanage is very popular and visited daily by many Sri Lankan and foreign tourists.
