Sri lanka’s Top 10 Cultural sites to visit

With a history that pre-dates Christianity you can’t visit Sri Lanka and miss its significant cultural and heritage sites. The island was so advance in it infrastructure, engineering, town planning and social structure that to date many a scholars are mesmerized by its ancient findings and development.

With our decades of catering to travelers and their interests, here are the most popular and significant cultural sites we recommend any visitor to Sri Lanka must see.

1. Temple of the tooth Kandy

It is arguably the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. It was also the last strong hold of the Sinhala kings before the island fell to the colonial powers. The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is truly a unique experience and the most visited site in Sri Lanka.

2. Anuradhapura

Was the first capital of Sri Lanka, and all though the ruins are not as well preserved as the ones in Polonnaruwa, you can’t take away the grandeur and the ancient ore away from these magnificent monuments. Although it’s a little away from a standard tour route this detour is certainly worth it. You can opt to visiting Anuradhapura whilst being based in Dambulla.

3. Polonnaruwa

These are the best preserved monuments of ancient Lanka. They aren’t as old as the ones in Anuradhapura but the Polonnaruwa period was where Lanka’s true engineering and town planning advances were made.

4. Sigiriya Rock

This is best described as Sri Lanka’s Machu Picchu. In every sense it was an opulent palace built on top of a steep rock and was the hiding place of an exiled prince. The story is truly captivating, and the surrounding vistas from atop, is simply breath-taking

5. Pidurangala Rock

What Huayina Picchu is to Macchu, Pidurangala is to Sigiriya. It is the most staggering views of the region you will ever see and the 2 hour climb is certainly worth it.

6. Dambulla Cave Temple

Is a prehistoric cave that was home to medicating monks and was also a refuge for kings evading invading armies. It is today classified as a UNESCO World Heritage and known fondly as the Golden Temple of Dambulla.

7. Ritigala

One of the lesser known places and that makes it relatively commercial-free. It was over centuries, a monastery for forest monks to meditate in peace and tranquility, and was protected over the centuries by the kings of the area. It was largely lost to Scholars and a recent discovery unearthed its significance in Lanka’s history.

8. Galle

Galle today is a chic walking town, but its historic importance lies with the Fort which was developed by the Dutch that conquered Sri Lanka’s coastal belt. The museum houses some fascinating artifacts. If you’re not a cultural history buff, the ambiance of this town will certainly make you fall in love with the place.

9. Embekke Devalaya Kandy

Is essentially a Hindu temple built by Lanka’s prominent rulers, but today are the best preserved examples of ancient art and craft. Many of the carvings are thankfully intact and are well preserved. The architecture is also unique and draws interests from architects and art lovers from around the world.

10. Mahiyanganaya Veddha’s village

This is completely off the beaten track and in a must-see place. It’s very rarely included by many tour companies but a drive to Mahiyanganaya is truly worth it to see the rural villages that are completely isolated from mainstream commercialization. The town is not only home to one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent Buddhist temples but is also where any of the native aboriginal people still live in their ancient habitats and lifestyles as hunter-gathers.