Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Tea hills, ruined capitals and three coastlines, on an island you can cross in a day.
- DestinationSri Lanka
- CountrySri Lanka
- TypeInternational holiday
Overview
About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is compact, and the compression is the appeal. The centre rises into hills planted with tea; the plains around them hold the ruined royal capitals; the coast wraps the whole island. Beach, hill country and ancient city sit within a day of one another, which is unusual anywhere.
Two monsoons arrive on opposite coasts at opposite times of year, so one side of the island is generally in good season while the other is not. That single fact shapes how most journeys here are put together.
Good to know
Worth Knowing Before You Go
- Two separate monsoons affect opposite coasts at different times, so one coast is usually in season.
- Sigiriya, a fifth-century rock fortress and palace, is UNESCO-listed.
- Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were both royal capitals and both are UNESCO-listed.
- The hill railway from Kandy to Ella climbs through tea estates and is among the most scenic rail journeys in Asia.
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