The northern plains, traditionally called Rajarata or ‘The King’s Land’ comprise the Cultural Triangle. The thorny scrub jungles and mountainous outcrops are dotted with many famous as well as offbeat attractions. Some of these are Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park. The ruined city of Anuradhapura forms the Cultural Triangle’s spiritual heart and remains of the greatest metropolises of medieval Asia. The huge old monasteries, tanks, palaces and dagobas (Buddhist stupa) still astound visitors.
The large town of Dambulla is packed with spectacular sights and attractions, including the Rangiri Dambulla (Sri Lanka’s largest and most well-preserved cave temple complex), the International Stadium,...
The northern plains, traditionally called Rajarata or ‘The King’s Land’ comprise the Cultural Triangle. The thorny scrub jungles and mountainous outcrops are dotted with many famous as well as offbeat attractions. Some of these are Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park. The ruined city of Anuradhapura forms the Cultural Triangle’s spiritual heart and remains of the greatest metropolises of medieval Asia. The huge old monasteries, tanks, palaces and dagobas (Buddhist stupa) still astound visitors.
The large town of Dambulla is packed with spectacular sights and attractions, including the Rangiri Dambulla (Sri Lanka’s largest and most well-preserved cave temple complex), the International Stadium, South Asia’s largest rose quartz mountain range and the Iron wood forest.
The World Heritage Site of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) represents a major element of Sri Lanka’s tourism. Sigiriya was the country’s shortest-lived capital but its spectacular setting and architectural grandeur have made it a legendary sight, bordering on the surreal. The citadel of Sigiriya stands tall and mighty atop the vertiginous heights of an outcrop of gneiss rock jutting out of the surrounding plains.
The small yet varied jungles of Minneriya National Park are home to lots of wildlife such as sloth bears, deer, panthers and elephants. While the bears and panthers are elusive, the elephants are most commonly spotted. Especially, during August and September, these gentle giants show up in overwhelming numbers, so much so that the event is called ‘The Gathering’, the largest meeting of Asian elephants on the planet!
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