Sri Lanka is a tropical country that fascinates world travelers with its lush landscapes, gorgeous beaches and historical wonders. This pear-shaped island appears to be a southern extension of the Indian peninsula, consisting of endless coastlines, central highlands and plains. The dynamic topography of this rainbow country is home to many expeditions that blend natural beauty and antiquities. eight outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka There are remarkable inspirations behind many of the journeys to this pearl of the Orient. If you want to know everything about these amazing creations, continue reading to the bottom.

8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

From ancient cities to towering forts and lush forest reserves, here are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka:

1. Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

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The ancient city of Polonnaruwa was the second capital of this tropical paradise shortly after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It is an archaeological remains site, which includes the monumental ruins of a magnificent garden city, in addition to Brahmin monuments built by the Cholas. By Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

During the bygone era, the city was ruled by King Vijayabahu, who ensured minimal wastage of rainwater, contributing to an effective irrigation system, used to this day to supply water to paddy fields during shortages. goes. This ancient city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. The historic royal baths and pools are the major attractions here.

Place: W2W2+94G, Sudarshanarama Puranagama Rd, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Time: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
entrance fees: INR 500

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2. Ancient City of Sigiriya

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Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, the ancient city of Sigiriya is about 25 km from Dambulla. This ruined city dates back to the fifth century and echoes the glorious stories of a bygone era with its grandeur that includes gardens, mirrored walls, a monastery and much more.

The 200-metre-high granite Lion Rock, exposed with frescoes, is paramount among visitors along with the Maidens of the Clouds and the ruins of the royal palace. This ancient city dates back to archaeological evidence from around the 3rd century BC and was declared a heritage site in 1982.

Place: Central Province, Sri Lanka
Time: All day
entrance fees: 1800 rupees

3. Holy City of Anuradhapura

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If you want to take a look at the well-preserved ruins of an early Sinhalese settlement, the ancient capital Anuradhapura is an exemplary city once founded by Sanghamitta. The city, which was the center of Theravada Buddhism for centuries, is now one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.

The remains of the city are amazing along the Malvathu River and it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Due to regional political unrest in 993, this magnificent capital of Ceylon polity was abandoned.

Place: Anuradhapura, city, north-central Sri Lanka
Time: All day
entrance fees: 200 rupees

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4. The Holy City of Kandy

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Senkadagalapura, also known as the Holy City of Kandy, is a sacred Buddhist site and the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. This is the place where the Dinahala culture flourished for about 2,500 years, until the country was taken over by the British in 1815.

Home to the amazing Temple of the Tooth Relic, this place welcomes visitors from all over the world throughout the year. This major site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The holy city also hosts an annual procession that includes a midnight parade accompanied by hundreds of elephants and thousands of drummers, dancers and other musicians.

Place: 7JVR+G7V, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Time: 5:30 am – 8:00 pm
entrance fees: 400 rupees

5. Sinharaja Forest Sanctuary

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There are 22 national parks in Sri Lanka out of which Sinharaja Forest Sanctuary rules the hearts of travelers. This biodiversity hotspot is a biosphere reserve with the least disturbed rainforests in the country.

Sinharaja is a native word meaning lion king and is the last viable primary tropical rainforest in the country. Home to endangered species, this forest reserve is endemic to 75% of the mammals found in the country, as well as 150 species of birds and 19 types of freshwater fish. It is one of the best UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka that attracts wildlife lovers from near and far.

Place: Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka
Time: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
entrance fees: 720 rupees

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6. The old city of Galle and its fortifications

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The old town of Galle is about 100 km from Colombo, and this fortified city was founded by Europeans. The city has its own leisure atmosphere where European architecture can be seen with a mix of South Asian traditions. The city’s old atmosphere became popular in 1988 when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka.

However the Gulf of Galle in 545 B.C. Yet it has remained important throughout time and was the most active port in Sri Lanka in the 14th century. In the early 16th century, the Portuguese built a compact fort with a rampart along with a trading post here. In later years, the Dutch army captured the site and converted it into a formidable fort.

Place: Galle, Sri Lanka
Time: All day
entrance fees: INR 300

7. Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple

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The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is an iconic pilgrimage site and is counted among the best-preserved cave temple complexes. Home to five sanctuaries, you can see exquisite Buddhist murals and sculptures.

The site has been inhabited since the 3rd century and has been transformed into popular Buddhist complexes over the past decades. Being a major UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, the temple is maintained by the Asgiriya Chapter of Buddhist monks.

Place: Dambulla, Matale District, Sri Lanka
Time: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
entrance fees: 400 rupees

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8. Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

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The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are known for their excellent biodiversity and have abundant greenery and endemism. The highlands in Sri Lanka have recently been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. About 34% of the country’s unique trees, shrubs and herbs are found here. The topography includes a range of montane rainforest trees as well as orchids, mosses and more.

Place: south-central part of the island
Time: All day
entrance fees: Rs 30 for a day trip and Rs 60 for an overnight trip.

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The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka hold revelations that give you a thorough understanding of the history, culture, beliefs and socio-political development of Sri Lanka. You can plan your future trip to Sri Lanka with TourTravelHotels to know the amazing facts about these sites and enjoy holidays like never before.

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