Which city is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Attractions of the cultural capital of Sri Lanka - Kandy itinerary
Sri Lanka
Marvelous beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, once called Serendib, invites travelers to experience all the colors of life! Give in to the curiosity that lives inside, and chance will reward you. majestic wonders discoveries ... It can be a virgin-beautiful beach, wealth historical heritage, the healing power of Ayurveda, the adrenaline of sports adventures, the breathtaking whirlwind of colorful festivals, the diversity of culture and culinary traditions, the picturesque beauty of the highlands, as well as untouched wild nature with its numerous animal inhabitants. We can say that Sri Lanka is a miracle island. This is a country with the richest 2500 thousand years of unique history. 11 UNESCO protected sites are located on the island. It is here that the oldest tree on the planet grows, which is already more than 2500 years old. And finally, the goodwill, hospitality and smiles of the friendly inhabitants of the island successfully complement the enchanting beauty of this amazing country!
Capitals: Sri Jayawardenep ura Kotte and Colombo
Geographic characteristics
Sri Lanka is a state in South Asia off the southeast coast of Hindustan. Until 1972, the country was known as Ceylon. The area of the island is 65.5 thousand square meters. km, and in shape the island resembles a tea drop (very symbolic) or, as some believe, a pear. 80% of the island is an unchanging plain, dissected by rocks, 20% - Mountain country, where the height of the peaks reaches two thousand meters above sea level, and the slopes overgrown with forests are dissected stormy rivers and waterfalls.
Population
Sri Lanka is a multinational state where people of different cultures and religions live together. In total, the country has just over 21 million inhabitants. 75% of them are Sinhalese who profess Buddhism, 16% are Tamils (profess Hinduism), 7% are Moors and Malays who are Muslims, and the so-called burghers live on the island (children from mixed marriages of Sri Lankans with immigrants from Europe), professing Christianity. The caste structure is clearly expressed on the island. Agricultural castes predominate, and other caste groups with traditional occupations also stand out. The lowest position in the hierarchy is occupied by the untouchable "Rodi".
Interesting facts about the capital
The official capital of Sri Lanka is not Colombo at all, as many people think. official capital South Asian island nation Sri Lanka has been considered Sri Jayawardenep ura-Kotte since the early 80s. This is the longest name of the capital of the existing ones (exceeds the Brunei Bandar Seri Bega van by as much as 6 characters). Such a complex, Orientally refined name is actually not so difficult to decipher: Sri in Sanskrit is magnificent, blessed (which gives Sri Lanka the meaning of “blessed land”); Junius Richard Jayawardene (1906 -1996) - a famous Sri Lankan politician, President of Sri Lanka from 1978 to 1989, pura or pur - in many Indo-Aryan languages means a city (example: Singapore - lion city), Kotte - the old name of the city, which he had before the transfer of administrative institutions here. During the years of existence of an independent Sri Lankan state, the hypertrophy of Colombo became defiantly noticeable, so the government decided to at least partially unload the largest urban center. In Sri Jayewardenep ura Kotte are the residences of a number of the highest authorities of Sri Lanka (parliament, Supreme Court). At the same time, Colombo, the former official capital and the most Big City on the island (population about 1 million inhabitants). The president and the government of the country continue to work there.
Official language
Sinhalese and Tamil are considered the national languages of Sri Lanka, and English is also widely used (10% of the population speaks it as a native language).
Weather forecast
The average air temperature during the year in Sri Lanka ranges from 26 to 30 degrees. In the highlands in winter it can drop to 15 degrees during the day and 5 at night. The water temperature in the Indian Ocean averages around 26 degrees all year round. There is no rainy season as such, but there are periods in autumn and spring when rain can start at any time and in any part of the island. Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during the rainy summer season, from May to the end of October, mainly in the afternoon and at night. For the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, the dry season lasts from October to April, and for the northeast coast from March to November.
Time
Time on the island is 2.5 hours behind Belarusian time.
What to buy
It's just impossible to go amazing island You can’t bring anything with you to Sri Lanka, because this country is simply replete with a special culture, breathtaking landscapes and very unusual people… Yes, the most memorable thing on the island is the people, but you can’t bring them all with you, so it’s better to enjoy their company on the spot, and bring fragments of their culture with you.
Ceylon tea, that's just a must-have after traveling to the famous island. Only it is better to buy it either during excursions to tea plantations or in special shops in large cities. After all, I want to drink the best tea to my loved ones, and not a “trick” from bags.
Very attractive prices on the island for precious stones. Rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes, moonstones… and, of course, blue sapphire is considered the king of Sri Lanka. But jewelry must also be bought in specialized stores, which must issue the appropriate checks and export certificates.
And the country is also famous for batik, i.e. silk painting. Bright, colorful and pleasant to the touch products made of silk will not leave anyone indifferent.
You can also bring spices and spices (this is still Asia), handicrafts, wooden masks, leather goods, bamboo, rattan, coconut and many other materials. In cities, you can buy inexpensive, but high-quality textile products of famous world brands of local production. Best Places for shopping in Colombo, these are Odel, House of Fashion, Magestic City stores.
In which corner of Sri Lanka to relax
Most of Sri Lanka's beach resorts are located south of the country's capital, Colombo.
Negombo is popular tourist resort, located about 12 km from the airport of Sri Lanka, north of Colombo. Negombo is a fishing village, but it is sure to be remembered by any traveler. Negombo is very popular among fish and seafood lovers. Fishermen catch an incredible amount of shrimp, lobster and crabs here. All these seafood are skillfully cooked on an open fire in numerous taverns located right on the beach. Well, lovers of romance can leave the beach, against which the foamy waves of the sea beat, and go in search of beautiful lagoons.
The city of Polonnaruwa is an ideal non-beach resort for lovers sightseeing holiday. It is located in the central part of the country, so all the main sightseeing trails are accessible from here.
Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, located on the southwest coast of the island. It is famous for its five-star hotels, which are good for both comfortable living and business. The hotels are equipped with a full range of services - restaurants, swimming pools, fitness centers, conference rooms, business centers, nightclubs and much more needed for a comfortable and unforgettable stay.
Mount Lavinia is located 12 km south of Colombo. The highlight of the resort are the famous beaches, which gained their popularity back in the days of the English colony, mainly due to the proximity to the capital. Those wishing to spend a quiet day on the beach in relative seclusion (compared to Colombo) will definitely like it here. Here, dry clean sand, crystal water and calm sea.
Kalutara is a place ideal for all kinds of activities. water sports. Windsurfing, water skiing, spearfishing and even sailing are especially common. The city stands on the "Black River" Kalu Ganga, one of the largest on the island. To the north of the bridge that connects the two banks of the Kalu Ganga, there is a very nice beach with several luxury hotels and a water entertainment center. Kalutara is not a cheap resort, budget tourists have nothing to “catch” here.
Hikkaduwa - popular resort, which was the first in Sri Lanka to receive foreign tourists. Wadduwa got its name from the famous local doctors or veda doova. It is Hikkaduwa that is considered the best dive resort in all of Sri Lanka, so the standard picture of these places is a breathtaking view of numerous surfers conquering the waves with might and main ...
Bentota is a resort for romantics. Very often this place is chosen by newlyweds for honeymoon trip. Rivers and seas flow together here, and at the place of their intersection there is the most famous local beach, sheltering its vacationers from the heat with branches of coconut palms. The beach is conveniently located also because there are several good hotels, and from hotels it is already easy to get to shops, and to cafes, discos and even railway- everything is nearby!
Weligama or "Sand Village" has found its place under the sun in a large picturesque bay, the beauty of which can be enjoyed for hours, is better at sunset and in its eastern part. There is also the headquarters of surfers who really appreciate the local waves. IN opposite side, in the west, the opposite is true - the water is quiet, calm and azure-clear, like a royal sapphire.
Tangalle is famous for its magnificent yet deserted beaches, which are considered among the best in Sri Lanka for giving the skin a chocolate shade. On the southwestern coast of the island it is difficult to find a place like this. Here you can not meet a single person, walking along the picturesque coast, stretching for several kilometers. In addition, this resort offers all types of accommodation - from budget apartments to exclusive hotels.
What to see
Holidays in Sri Lanka are not bathing and felting. This is the knowledge of such a distant, mysterious and sometimes completely incomprehensible culture. Of course, the numerous sights of the country will help in this.
Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, was busy seaport back in the Middle Ages. Merchants from China, Persia and Morocco sold and bought pearls, precious stones, spices, elephants here. Later, Colombo was captured by the Dutch, the Portuguese, the British, and all of them left their mark on the appearance of this almost 1 million city. Many churches and monuments were built in European medieval style. The sights of modern Colombo are impressive Hindu and Buddhist temples, a national museum, one of the best zoos in Asia, Dehiwela, as well as large shopping centers. Tourists visiting Colombo in February can attend the traditional Navam parade. On this day, believers come to bow to the shrines of the main Buddhist temple of Colombo, and the largest elephant carries the holy relics on its back.
Anuradhapura is the largest city of ancient Ceylon and its first capital. There are 2 objects here world heritage. The first is the sacred Bo tree, which, according to legend, was grown more than 2250 years ago from the shoot of the same tree, under which Prince Siddhartha was enlightened. The second is the famous bronze palace built 2000 years ago by King Duthugamunu.
The majestic Mount Sigiriya (protected by UNESCO) is one of the main attractions of Ceylon. A stone fortress built on it in the 5th century was a safe haven for the king. The remains of a mirror wall, gardens, fountains, and pools are still preserved here. After a short climb to the top between the giant lion's paws carved into the rock, your eyes will open 11 amazing frescoes of that time - half-naked dancers. The images are applied with vegetable paints, which still - for 15 centuries - retain their brightness.
In Pollonaruwa, the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sinhalese state have been preserved. Here you can see the remains of a palace that once shone with splendor. The Watadage Temple is the best preserved. Four statues of the seated Buddha face the entrance to the temple.
The majestic mountains of Dambulla (protected by UNESCO) evoke a sense of closeness to the past. This monastery was built in the 1st century BC and is still in operation. Here, in amazing cave temples, the largest of which reaches 50 m in width and 6 m in height, there are more than 200 Buddha statues. The walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes, which are masterpieces of temple wall painting.
Nuwara Eliya is a mountain resort in the heart of the island, favorite place rest of British officials. A winding road leads into the city, surrounded by waterfalls, and the air is clean and cool. Everything here is built in the English style - houses, buildings, golf courts, so Nuwara Eliya has earned the name "little England". On the nearby mountain slopes (2000 m above sea level) the best black tea in the world is grown.
Kandy is located 100 km northeast of Colombo. There is an artificial lake in the middle of the city. In this ancient capital of the Sinhalese kings, the traditions and art of the Sinhalese reached their fullest flowering and have survived to this day. The main attraction of Kandy is the Dalada Maligava temple, built on the shore of the lake. Here, under a golden canopy, lies an ancient relic - the Sacred Tooth of Buddha. Every year in late July - early August, the Perahera festival is held here. At night, a festive dance procession begins with torches, drums, eighty decorated elephants, fire-eaters are especially impressive.
Galle South Fort is one of the most amazing and original cities of the island, where all the religions represented in Sri Lanka coexist peacefully. Along the way, you can visit the mask factory at Amnalamgoda, where you can get acquainted with the traditions and beliefs of the Sri Lankan people through the art of woodcarving and painting masks. Here you can also buy souvenirs.
Not far from the resort of Bentota, in Kozgod, there are 5 species of sea turtles. Nearby are special farms where eggs laid by turtles are collected, and after hatching, they feed small turtles and release them into the sea. You can watch this process. On the farm, you can see both newborn turtles and adults.
Hikkaduwa city on south coast also called "coral reserve". Coral reefs attract diving enthusiasts with a variety of fish and turtles. In crystal clean water a snorkel and a mask are enough to see the delightful bright colors of the underwater world. Here you can also admire the fabulous undersea world riding a boat with a transparent bottom.
The most famous of national parks- Yala. The territory of the park is a savannah with small lakes. Interesting scenes of meetings of deer, wild boars and water birds usually develop here. A characteristic feature of the park are large, scattered throughout its territory mountain ranges- a favorite refuge of leopards and bears. In this park, you can also easily observe wild elephants (especially from January to May).
Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648
official languages: Sinhalese, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
In warm waters indian ocean off the coast of India there is a small island shaped like a drop.
Everyone has heard about him at least once, and every day they probably enjoy his gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but the "nickname" Ceylon is widely known. This is Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the narrow Polk Strait.
The inhabitants of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankans.
At the beginning of the 19th century the island was a colony (dependent territory) of Great Britain and was called Ceylon, and in 1972 it became independent and received a new name - Sri Lanka, which means “blessed land” in Sinhala.
Due to the former dominance of Great Britain today in Sri Lanka almost everyone speaks English language. Only he's not exactly normal. Often a resident british isles or the United States will not fully understand the Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because the locals add a lot of "their" words to the speech.
The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It depicts a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is a symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean a few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the Buddhists prevailing on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 paipula leaves, a sacred tree for Buddhists.
Sri Lanka is an island of gems. In its bowels - rubies, garnets, moonstone, amethysts. But the "king" of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. Sri Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!
As in other Asian countries, motor cycle rickshaws are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "tuk-tuk". This is the only safe remedy movement, as it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Local residents do not follow the rules of the road. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want, just to let a cow pass or go out to say hello to a friend they suddenly saw on the street ...
This is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.
An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a remedy for rain, but the main protection from the sun. From the showers that come here, he will not save, but under the hot sun without an umbrella in any way. Therefore, umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.
In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. Thus, the Sri Lankans observe hygiene, and the dishes do not need to be washed after eating.
One state - two capitals
The small state of Sri Lanka boasts that it has not one capital, but two! This major metropolis Colombo and a little-known town with complicated name Sri Jayewardanapura Kotte. The first is the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second is the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.
Translated from the Sinhalese language, Colombo means "mangrove harbour". The city is really located in an area where there are a lot of mangroves. But there is another version of the name. It is believed that the Portuguese, who conquered Sri Lanka in the past, could have named the city in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.
Colombo is the most Big city on the island and the largest port of Sri Lanka. It is noisy and crowded all the time, the streets are filled with cars and tuk-tuks. Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka where there are high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. And only here do temples belonging to representatives of three religions safely coexist - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the finest botanical gardens in Asia. Its highlights are the Orchid House and the Spice Garden. The world's rarest species of these plants grow in the Orchid House. And in the Spice Garden, all the fragrant plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper and the queen is cinnamon. It was thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was interesting to many. European countries. Their rulers have always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, ginger, which had no equal in the world.
Sri Jayewardanapura Kotte is a town in the suburbs of Colombo. When at the beginning of the 16th century envoys of the Portuguese king arrived on the island, the guides managed to stretch the five-kilometer path between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day trip around the island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression "to go to Kotta" for modern Sri Lankans means "to drive in a roundabout way."
The city of Colombo was the capital during the reign of the Portuguese, Dutch and British in Ceylon. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.
Today Kotte is beautiful, quiet town, which has many universities, colleges. The Sri Lankan parliament sits here. A luxurious building was specially built for him in the center of the city lake. Various festivals and fun carnivals often take place on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants, the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka, always participate.
elephant city
In the past, elephants were the main means of transportation in Sri Lanka. They transported people and goods in the mountains and jungles. Today, tractors and trucks do this, but the elephant is still the main animal and symbol of the island. 
The Sri Lankan elephant is different from its African brother. The inhabitants of the hot continent are larger, their ears are of a different shape and they always have powerful tusks. In Sri Lankan elephants, tusks can be seen on about one in 20 animals.
An elephant lives as long as a person - 70-80 years. An adult animal weighs about 5 tons. On the day he needs 250 kg of cane or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water.
For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But the Sri Lankans think differently. They count giants natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are being shot by…farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can take down an entire village! Neither fences nor traps stop the giants, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Sri Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and "stupid" than their African relatives.
There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where baby elephants are left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants. By the way, the oldest animal here is over 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is drunk with warm milk from the nipple so that he gets stronger and feels good.
Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed up in special costumes-masks, decorated with jewels.
Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they "work out" caring for them by riding tourists on their backs. It is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. It is very difficult to maintain balance while riding, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. When traveling on horseback, you are convinced that the elephant seems clumsy only from the outside. Despite its impressive weight, it moves almost silently. Usually an elephant walks at walking speed, but if necessary, giants can reach speeds of up to 40 km / h.
The elephant, who worked up an appetite during the trip, must be thanked. The best way to do this is to feed him bananas - the elephant's favorite dessert.
Animal world Sri Lanka is very diverse. Animals and birds on the island feel free, they are not afraid of humans and live next to them.
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Practical information
For whom: for young people and middle-aged people
Duration: about 5 hours
Price for 1 person: 2200 Sri Lankan rupees (532 rubles)
Only fees for visiting attractions are taken into account. Food and transportation costs are not included in this Kandy itinerary.
Route description for Kandy
The medieval capital of Sri Lanka, surrounded by picturesque mountains and hills of the central part of the island, is a place where the most interesting cultural and architectural monuments different eras. With the beauty and abundance of man-made attractions in Kandy compete natural resources collected on the territory of local parks, which are also worthy of close attention of city guests.
National Museum of Kandy
The museum, which contains one of the most extensive collections of ancient art and material culture in the country, acquaints its visitors with the history of the royal capital of Sri Lanka.
royal court
National Museum adjoins the territory of the main attraction of Kandy - the complex Royal Palace, which includes 2 main parts - the Royal Court and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. A tour of the palace of the last kings of Sri Lanka should begin with an audience hall decorated with intricate carvings, where in ancient times the rulers of the island held their court over their subjects.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
The central attraction of Kandy, as well as the most revered religious center on the entire island, is this temple, which houses one of the greatest Buddhist relics - the tooth of the Buddha, which attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Lake Kandy
Surrounded by picturesque greenery, the shore of an artificial lake adjacent to the palace complex will serve as great place for a short rest, after visiting the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
Royal Palace Park
You can continue to enjoy the delights of the tropical nature of Sri Lanka in the Royal Palace Park (or Wales Park), which can be reached by going around the lake from the western side. Among other things, there is a high-altitude observation deck, from where a beautiful panorama opens. historical center Kandy.
Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya
By catching a tuk-tuk near the palace or using the services at the nearby Kandy bus station, you can get to one of the most famous and beautiful botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, famous for its large collection of rare and exotic plants.
ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය
Capital- the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Square– 65,610 sq. km.
Population- 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Date of Independence (from UK)- February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94
At the official level, the country is called Democratic socialist republic Sri Lanka. The state is located in the south of Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the moment when the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. Here is the residence of the President of the country and the government sits. Dondra - southern cape islands, Dutch Bay - western.
Sri Lanka - video
Sri Lanka is bordered by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Polk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a shallow in the Polk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. Located in the center of the country mountain ranges, the relief of the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The tallest Mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The subequatorial monsoon climate of the island is due to the northeast and southwest monsoons blowing throughout the year.
Most major rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.
According to the state census conducted in the summer of 2013, about 21.6 million people live in the country. On a national basis, one can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils (about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). In religious terms, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7% respectively.
The calling card of the country is tea. In terms of its production, Sri Lanka is the third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of exports (about 63%), Agriculture- about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get by bus to any corner of the island, but traveling in it will bring little pleasure due to dirt, dust, crush and low speed (no more than 45 km / h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be ordered in advance at bus stations or transport agencies.
Worth mentioning about railway transport islands. Railway communication connects large. The trains have cars of different classes with and without air conditioning. On one of the routes, the world-famous restored train runs, which was built back in 1928. Sri Lanka has international Airport Bandaranaike, located about 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military one.
Sights of Sri Lanka
Waterfall Bambarakanda
Waterfall "Bridal Veil"
On the territory of the state are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea was first grown here on an industrial scale - James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, did this, planting about 80 hectares of land with tea.
1. In Sri Lanka, internal conflicts often occur, so do not be surprised at the large number of military on the streets and roadblocks. Railway stations and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and at the entrance all passengers must present identification documents. In the southern part of the country, the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.
2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, as all dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. Sauces should be chosen carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to drink it with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened bread.
3. If you have a desire to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, because here it is done a little differently than in Europe.
4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with which they bring small saucers with various spices and seasonings.
5. Do not be afraid if you are offered to buy light drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the death penalty for the distribution and possession of drugs.
6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. Vegetables are best scalded with boiling water. Water should only be drunk from plastic bottles with factory caps.
7. The inhabitants of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into obsession (this applies mainly to local street vendors and guides).
8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. It is strictly forbidden to hunt animals and collect corals here.
9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabrics in light colors. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.
10. When visiting temples, you need to take off your shoes and hats. It is forbidden to enter such places in short skirts and shorts, as well as with bare shoulders and back. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of your shoes to others, do not photograph the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.
11. It is not necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for the service or lunch.
12. The voltage in the local electrical network is 230-240V, and the sockets are installed with three pins, so you need to purchase a special adapter to use them.
Sri Lanka - an island formerly called Ceylon, is a delightful place that attracts tourists with its exoticism, excellent landscapes, colorful sunsets, impenetrable jungles and the splashing of the Indian Ocean. However, in addition to the extensive opportunities for relaxing on the beach, there is a unique place, having visited which you will see the island from the inside, get acquainted with its sights, many of which are under the protection of UNESCO.
You can join the delightful past of this incredible region by visiting the so-called cultural triangle of Ceylon, also called the Golden Triangle of the island.
If you take a break from the magnificent ocean for at least a couple of days and go to central regions Sri Lanka, then it is here that you can find the three historical capitals of Celon: Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. These cities form the peaks of the Cultural Triangle. However, not only these settlements serve as places worthy of attention. This also includes ancient city Sigiriya, cave temple Dambully, Mihintale - the cradle of Ceylon Buddhism, the ruins of Nalanda and many other small attractions scattered in the central part of Ceylon.
The most sacred center of Sri Lanka and the first point in the triangle, which should be visited, is the city of Anuradhapura. It was he who was the first capital of Sri Lanka and it is with him that the beginning of the spread of Buddhism on the island is associated. This is evidenced by various Buddhist sanctuaries - temples, stupas and palaces, erected as early as the 4th century BC. Near Anuradhapura is the city of Mihintale, where, according to legend, Buddhism appeared on Mount Mahinda in Ceylon. This mountain is one of the most sacred places on the island, where numerous pilgrimages are made.
An exceptional monument of its kind, included in the triangle, is, no doubt, Sigiriya. It's worth a visit anyway. Just imagine: on the top of a cliff 200 meters high are the ruins of the palace of the ruler Kasyapa.
There is something to admire in Dambulla - a rocky Buddhist monastic complex, which is already over 2 thousand years old.
Another ancient capital in the triangle is Polonnaruwa, which continued to be the main city of the island from the 11th-13th centuries. Today this place is the ruins of palaces, temples, houses.
And, finally, the former capital city of Kandy, which is still cultural center throughout Sri Lanka. It should be noted that this modern city with ancient traditions. One of the most important cultural and religious attractions of Kandy is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, within the walls of which a relic is kept - the tooth of the great founder of Buddhism. It was preserved after the cremation of the body of the Buddha. In the summer, during the Esala Perahera festival, thousands and thousands of pilgrims and travelers come here.
Sri Lanka is such a diverse region that there is something for everyone to taste, but one should not forget about the national cuisine. During your journey through the Cultural Triangle, you can enjoy it to the fullest.
How to travel the Cultural Triangle
It will take at least a week to visit all the main famous sites in the triangle. However, with a lack of time, you can visit at least the main points. Shortened excursion programs lasting a couple of days are offered, during which travelers are introduced to Dambulla, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. Sometimes the tour can be supplemented with a visit to Kandy and Pollonaruwa, however, the duration of the tour increases to 5-7 days.
If you went on a trip on your own in order to visit and get acquainted in detail with all the memorable objects in the triangle, then this can be done quite simply. All settlements and main attractions are connected here by means of bus service. Buses run quite often, but only during the daytime. It is quite possible to visit everywhere, having previously planned your route in detail. A bus ride can cost from 30 to 300 rupees depending on the distance between different cities.
An excellent way to visit all the objects of the triangle is to rent a car. It is advisable to rent a car together with a driver. You can visit all the objects of the triangle in 5 days on a rented car with a driver for 200-500 USD, depending on the specific conditions of the trip. If you can drive a motorcycle, then renting it will cost 7-10 USD per day, in particular, in Kandy. You can visit all places in the triangle and return the motorcycle back.
Entrance fee
You don't have to pay anything to be in the Cultural Triangle itself. And to visit most of the attractions, you need to pay a fee, while the prices are very high.
Previously, a single ticket was used to visit the triangle, which included visits to most of the notable objects, but today it is no longer used. Currently, each attraction must be paid separately.
Here are the prices for admission only to the territory of the main attractions:
Sigiriya - 30 usd;
- Anuradhapura - 30 usd;
- Pollonaruwa - 25 usd;
- Dambulla - 12 usd.
In addition, you must pay extra for visiting museums and some shrines, even inside the site where these tickets are valid.