Sri Lanka is the capital of which country. Sri Lanka's cultural triangle. What to see in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Marvelous beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, which was once called Serendib, offers travelers to experience all the colors of life! Give in to the curiosity that lives within, and chance will reward you with majestic wonders of discovery... It could be a pristine beautiful beach, the wealth of historical heritage, the healing power of Ayurveda, the adrenaline of sports adventures, the exciting whirlwind of colorful festivals, the diversity of culture and culinary traditions, the picturesque beauty of the highlands. and also untouched wild nature with its numerous animal inhabitants. We can say that Sri Lanka is an island miracle. This is the country with the richest 2500 thousand years unique history. 11 UNESCO-protected sites are located on the island. This is where the oldest tree on the planet grows, which is more than 2500 years old. And finally, the kindness, hospitality and smiles of the friendly island residents successfully complement the enchanting beauty of this amazing country!
Capitals: Sri Jayewardene ura Kotte and Colombo
Geographical characteristics
Sri Lanka is a country in South Asia off the southeastern coast of Hindustan. Until 1972, the country was known as Ceylon. The area of the island is 65.5 thousand square meters. km, and the shape of 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% is a mountainous country, where the height of the peaks reaches two thousand meters above sea level, and the forested slopes are dissected by 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 (who profess Hinduism), 7% are Moors and Malays who are Muslims, and the so-called burghers (children from mixed marriages of Sri Lankans with immigrants from Europe), professing Christianity. The island has a clearly defined caste structure. Agricultural castes predominate, and other caste groups with traditional activities. The lowest position in the hierarchy is occupied by the untouchable "rodis".
Interesting facts about the capital
The official capital of Sri Lanka is not Colombo, as many people think. The official capital of South Asia island state Sri Lanka has been considered Sri Jayawardene ura Kotte since the early 80s. This is the longest name of the capital currently existing (it exceeds the Brunei Bandar Seri Bega van by as much as 6 characters). Such a complex, oriental, sophisticated name is actually not that difficult to decipher: Sri in Sanskrit means magnificent, blessed (which gives Sri Lanka the meaning “blessed land”); Junius Richard Jayawardene (1906 -1996) - famous Sri Lankan politician, President of Sri Lanka from 1978 to 1989, pura or pur - in many Indo-Aryan languages means city (example: Singapore - the lion city), Kotte - the old name of the city, which it had before the transfer of administrative institutions here. During the years of the independent Sri Lankan state, the hypertrophy of Colombo became alarmingly noticeable, so the government decided to at least partially relieve the largest urban center. In Sri Jayewardene ura Kotte there are residences of a number of the highest authorities of Sri Lanka (parliament, supreme court). At the same time, Colombo continues to be considered the economic and actual capital - the former official capital and the most Big City on the island (population of about 1 million inhabitants). The president and government of the country continue to work there.
Official language
The national languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, and English is also widely used (10% of the population speaks it as a native language).
Weather forecast
The average air temperature throughout 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 average water temperature in the Indian Ocean is about 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 rainy seasons summer season, from May to the end of October, mainly in the afternoon and at night. For the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, the dry season lasts from October to April, and for the northeastern coast - from March to November.
Time
Time on the island is 2.5 hours behind Belarusian time.
What to buy
It's simply impossible to go to amazing island Sri Lanka and you can’t bring anything with you, because this country is simply replete with a special culture, breathtaking landscapes and very unusual people... Yes, the most memorable thing about 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 with them fragments of their culture.
Ceylon tea, this is a must-have after traveling to famous island. It’s just better to buy it either during excursions to tea plantations or in special stores major cities. After all, you want to give your loved ones the best tea, and not “cheat” tea bags.
Very attractive prices on the island for precious stones. Rubies, amethysts, garnets, topazes, moonstones... and, of course, the blue sapphire is considered the king of Sri Lanka. But jewelry must also be purchased in specialized stores, which must issue appropriate receipts and export certificates.
The country is also famous for batik, i.e. silk painting. Bright, colorful and pleasant to the touch silk products will not leave anyone indifferent.
You can also bring herbs and spices (this is Asia, after all), handicrafts, wooden masks, goods made from leather, bamboo, rattan palm, coconut and many other materials. In cities you can buy inexpensive but high-quality textile products from famous world brands, locally produced. Best places for shopping in Colombo there are Odel, House of Fashion, Magestic City stores.
Where to relax in Sri Lanka
Majority beach resorts Sri Lanka is located south of the country's capital, Colombo.
Negombo – popular tourist resort, located approximately 12 km from the Sri Lanka airport, north of Colombo. Negombo is a fishing village, but it is sure to be memorable for any traveler. Negombo is very popular among fish and seafood lovers. Fishermen catch incredible quantities of shrimp, lobsters and crabs here. All these seafood are expertly prepared over open fires in the numerous taverns located right on the beach. Well, lovers of romance can leave the beach, where the foamy waves of the sea crash, and go in search of beautiful lagoons.
The city of Polonnaruwa is an ideal non-beach resort for lovers excursion holiday. It is located in the central part of the country, so all the main excursion 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. Hotels are equipped full complex services - restaurants, swimming pools, fitness centers, conference rooms, business centers, nightclubs and much more necessary for a comfortable and unforgettable vacation.
Mount Lavinia Resort is located 12 km south of Colombo. The highlight of the resort are famous beaches, which gained their popularity back in the days of the English colony, mainly due to their proximity to the capital. Those who want to spend a quiet day on the beach in relative privacy (compared to Colombo) will definitely like it here. There is dry clean sand, crystal water and a calm sea.
Kalutara is an ideal place for all types 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. North of the bridge that connects the two banks of the Kalu Ganga, there is a very nice beach with several fashionable hotels and a center water activities. 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. The town of Wadduwa got its name thanks to the famous local doctors or veda doova. It is Hikkaduwa that is considered the best diving resort in all of Sri Lanka, so the standard picture of these places is the 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. Here rivers and seas flow together, and at the place of their intersection is the most famous local beach, sheltering his vacationers from the heat with branches of coconut palms. The beach is also conveniently located because there are several good hotels, and from hotels it is already easy to reach shops, cafes, discos and even railway- everything is nearby!
Weligama or “Sand Village” has found its place in the sun in the great picturesque bay, the beauty of which you can enjoy for hours, better at sunset and in its eastern part. There is also the headquarters of surfers who really appreciate the local waves. In the opposite direction, in the west, everything is the other way around - the water is quiet, calm and azure-clear, like a royal sapphire.
Tangalle is famous for its magnificent and at the same time deserted beaches, which are considered one of the best in Sri Lanka for giving the skin a chocolate tone. It's hard to find a place like this on the southwest coast of the island. Here you may not meet a single person while walking along the picturesque coastline, which stretches 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 about swimming and wallowing. This is the knowledge of such a distant, mysterious and sometimes completely incomprehensible culture. The country's numerous attractions will certainly help with this.
Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, was bustling seaport back in the Middle Ages. Traders from China, Persia and Morocco bought and sold pearls, precious stones, spices, and elephants here. Later, Colombo was captured by the Dutch, Portuguese, and British, and they all left their mark on the appearance of this city of almost 1 million people. Many churches and monuments were built in European medieval style. The attractions 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 worship 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 World Heritage Sites here. The first is the sacred Bo tree, which, according to legend, was grown more than 2250 years ago from a shoot of the same tree under which inspiration descended on Prince Siddhartha. The second is the famous bronze palace, built 2000 years ago by King Dutugamunu.
The majestic Mount Sigiriya (protected by UNESCO) is one of the main attractions of Ceylon. The stone fortress built on it in the 5th century was a reliable shelter 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 giant lion paws carved into the rock, your gaze will reveal 11 amazing frescoes of that time - half-naked dancers. The images are painted with vegetable paints, which to this day - already 15 centuries - retain their brightness.
Ruins remain in Pollonaruwa ancient capital Sinhala state. Here you can see the remains of a palace that once shone with splendor. The best preserved temple is Vatadage. Four statues of a seated Buddha face those entering 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 wide and 6 m high, there are more than 200 Buddha statues. The walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes, which are masterpieces of temple wall painting.
Nuwara Eliya – mountain resort in the heart of the island favorite place rest of British officials. The town is reached by a winding road surrounded by waterfalls, and the air is clean and cool. Everything here is built in the English style - houses, buildings, golf courses, so Nuwara Eliya has earned the name “little England”. The world's best black tea is grown on the nearby mountain slopes (2000 m above sea level).
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 Sinhalese traditions and art reached their full 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 the golden canopy rests ancient relic— Sacred Tooth of Buddha. The Perahera Festival is held here every year at the end of July - beginning of August. At night, a festive dance procession begins with torches, drums, eighty decorated elephants, the fire swallowers are especially impressive.
Galle South Fort is one of the most amazing and unique cities on the island, where all the religions represented in Sri Lanka peacefully coexist. Along the way, you can visit the mask factory at Amnalamgoda, where you can learn about the traditions and beliefs of the Sri Lankan people through the art of wood carving and mask painting. Here you can also buy souvenirs.
Not far from the Bentota resort, in Kozgod, there are 5 species of sea turtles. Nearby there are special farms where the eggs laid by turtles are collected, and after hatching, the little turtles are fed and released into the sea. You can watch this process. On the farm you can see both newborn turtles and adult turtles.
Hikkaduwa city on south coast also called the “coral reserve”. Coral reefs attract diving enthusiasts with a variety of fish and turtles. In the crystal clear water, all you need is a snorkel and a mask to see the amazing bright colors underwater world. Here you can also admire the fabulous undersea world while riding a boat with a transparent bottom.
The most famous of national parks– Yala. The park's territory is a savannah with small lakes. Interesting scenes of encounters between 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. Wild elephants can also be easily spotted in this park (especially from January to May).
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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 rub.)
Only fees for visiting attractions are taken into account. Expenses for food and transportation costs during this route in Kandy are not taken into account.
Description of the route in Kandy
The medieval capital of Sri Lanka, surrounded by picturesque mountains and the hills of the central part of the island, is a place where the most interesting cultural and architectural monuments of different eras are collected. The beauty and abundance of man-made attractions in Kandy are rivaled by the natural resources collected in the local parks, which are also worthy of the close attention of city guests.
Kandy National Museum
The museum, which houses one of the country's most extensive collections of ancient art and artifacts, introduces its visitors to the history of the royal capital of Sri Lanka.
Royal Court
National Museum adjoins the territory of the main attraction of Kandy - the Royal Palace complex, 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 the audience hall, decorated with intricate carvings, where in ancient times the rulers of the island held 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 Buddha, which attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Kandy Lake
The shore of an artificial lake surrounded by picturesque greenery adjacent to palace complex, will serve 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 on the western side. Among other things, there is a high-rise observation deck, from where it opens beautiful panorama historical center Kandy.
Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya
By catching a tuk-tuk near the palace or using the services at the nearby Kandy bus station, you can reach one of the most famous and beautiful botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, famous for its large collection of rare and exotic plants.
Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648 people.
official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
In warm waters Indian Ocean Not far from the coast of India there is a small island shaped like a drop.
Everyone has heard about it at least once, and every day they probably enjoy its gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but his “nickname” Ceylon is heard by many. This is Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is separated from the Hindustan Peninsula by the narrow Palk Strait.
The people 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 former British rule, almost everyone in Sri Lanka today speaks English language. Only he is not quite familiar. Often a resident British Isles or the US will not fully understand the Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because local residents add a lot of “their” words to their speech.
The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It features a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is the symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean the few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the predominant Buddhists on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 leaves of paipula, a tree sacred to Buddhists.
Sri Lanka is an island of precious stones. In its depths are rubies, garnets, moonstone, and amethysts. But the “king” of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. A Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!
As in other Asian countries, motorized pedicabs are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "knock-knock". This is the only safe means of transportation, since it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Locals don't follow the rules traffic. They can stop their vehicle whenever you want and wherever you want just to pass a cow or go out to say hello to an acquaintance whom you 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 means of keeping out the rain, but the main protection from the sun. It won’t save you from the downpours that happen here, but it won’t save you from the hot sun without an umbrella. That's why umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.
In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. In this way, Sri Lankans maintain hygiene, and there is no need to wash dishes after eating.
One state - two capitals
Small state Sri Lanka can boast that it has not one capital, but two! This major metropolis Colombo and a little-known town with complex name Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. The first houses the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second houses the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.
Colombo means “mangrove harbour” in Sinhala. The city is indeed located in an area with many 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 this way in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.
Colombo is the most Big city on the island and largest port Sri Lanka. It's noisy and crowded here 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 temples belonging to representatives of three religions at once coexist safely - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the best 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 aromatic plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper, and the queen is cinnamon. Thanks to a huge number spice island was interesting to many European countries. Their rulers always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, and ginger, which had no equal in the world.
Sri Jayawardanapura 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 route between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day hike around the entire island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression “to go to Kotte” for modern Sri Lankans means “to take a roundabout route.”
The city of Colombo was the capital during the domination of Ceylon by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.
Today Kotte is beautiful, quiet town, which has many universities and 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 are often held on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants - the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka - always take part.
Elephant City
In the past, elephants were the main transport in Sri Lanka. They transported people and cargo in the mountains and jungles. Today this is done by tractors and trucks, 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 Lanka's 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. He needs 250 kg of reed or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water per day.
For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But Sri Lankans think differently. They consider giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are shot... by farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can destroy an entire village! The giants are not stopped by either fences or traps, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Sri Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and “clueless” than their African relatives.
There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where elephants left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants live. By the way, the oldest animal here is more than 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is given warm milk from the nipple to make him stronger and feel good.
Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed in special mask costumes and decorated with jewelry.
Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they “work off” their care and maintenance by giving tourists rides on their backs. This is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for the sake of tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. Maintaining balance while riding is very difficult, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. Traveling on horseback, you become 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.
An elephant that has 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 people and live next to him.
Based on materials
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 splash of the Indian Ocean. However, in addition to extensive opportunities for relaxing on the beach, there is a unique place, after visiting which you will see the island from the inside and get acquainted with its attractions, many of which are under UNESCO protection.
You can experience the fascinating past of this incredible region by visiting the so-called Cultural Triangle of Ceylon, which is also called the Golden Triangle of the island.
If you take your mind off the magnificent ocean for at least a couple of days and go to central regions Sri Lanka, it is here that you can find the three historical capitals of Tselon: Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura. These cities form the vertices of the Cultural Triangle. However, not only these settlements serve as places worthy of attention. This also includes ancient city Sigiriya, the cave temple of Dambulla, Mihintale - the cradle of Ceylonese 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 that you should visit 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 in the 4th century BC. Near Anuradhapura is the city of Mihintale, where, according to legend, Buddhism appeared on Mount Mahinda in Ceylon. This mountain serves as one of the most sacred places on an island where numerous pilgrimages are made.
The unique monument of its kind included in the triangle is undoubtedly Sigiriya. It's worth a visit in any case. Just imagine: on the top of a cliff 200 m high there are the ruins of the palace of the ruler Kasyapa.
There is also something to admire in Dambulla, a rock-cut Buddhist monastery complex that is 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 to the 13th centuries. Today this place represents the ruins of palaces, temples, and houses.
And finally, the former capital city of Kandy, which to this day is cultural center all over Sri Lanka. It should be noted that this modern city, distinguished by ancient traditions. One of the most important cultural and religious attractions of Kandy is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic 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 Buddha's body. During 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, but we should not forget about national cuisine. You can enjoy it to the fullest during your journey through the Cultural Triangle.
How to Travel the Cultural Triangle
It will take at least a week to visit all the main famous sites in the triangle. However, if you are short of time, you can visit at least the main points. Shortened versions are offered excursion programs lasting a couple of days, during which travelers are introduced to Dambulla, Sigiriya and Anuradhapura. Sometimes the excursion can be supplemented with a visit to Kandy and Pollonaruwa, but in this case the duration of the tour increases to 5-7 days.
If you went on a trip on your own with the goal of visiting and getting to know in detail all the memorable objects in the triangle, then this can be done quite simply. All settlements and main attractions here are connected via bus service. Buses run quite frequently, but only during the daytime. It is quite possible to visit everywhere, having previously planned your route in detail. A bus fare can cost between 30 and 300 rupees depending on the distance between different cities.
An excellent way to visit all the sites in the triangle is to rent a car. It is advisable to rent a car with a driver. You can visit all the objects of the triangle in 5 days in 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, particularly in Kandy. You can visit all places in the triangle and return the motorcycle back.
Entrance fee
To be in the Cultural Triangle itself, you don’t have to pay anything. And to visit most attractions, you must pay a fee, and the prices are very high.
Previously used single ticket to visit the triangle, which included visits to most of the noteworthy sites, but today it is no longer in use. Currently, each attraction must be purchased separately.
Here are the entry prices for the main attractions only:
Sigiriya – 30 usd;
- Anuradhapura – 30 usd;
- Pollonaruwa – 25 usd;
- Dambulla – 12 usd.
In addition, you should pay extra to visit museums and some sanctuaries, even inside the site where these tickets are valid.
Amazing place Ceylon Island! Today he is better known as Sri Lanka. Thousands of tourists come here to see stunning landscapes, admire sunsets, get lost in impenetrable jungles and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. But not only beach holiday this can offer a tourist exotic country. Sri Lanka has enough architectural and historical monuments, many of which were included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.
As in other Asian countries, Sri Lanka also has its own “golden triangle” A must when exploring the country - three magnificent cultural capitals in the central province of Ceylon. These are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy.
True, in addition to these cities, there are attractions no less worthy of your attention, which are also included in this cultural triangle: the ancient city of Sigiriya, the Dambulla cave temple, the ruins of Nalanda, the ruins of the Buddhist temple of Mihintale and others.
Anuradhapura
The first capital of Ceylon, which is inextricably linked with the birth of Buddhism, is Anuradhapura. Direct confirmation of this is evidenced by a number of places of worship in this city. There are many temples and palaces here that were built back in the 4th century BC.
If you drive 12 km from Anuradhapura, you can get to - the cradle of Buddhism in the country. Not only tourists, but also pilgrims come here, considering Mihintale a religious center.
It is located on Mount Mahinda and is a complex of ruins, dagobas, caves and pagodas. Visiting the mountain is free (except for entrance to the Mango Plateau - 500 rupees). But the climb up the mountain is difficult - 305 meters or 1840 steps.
One of the most unique monuments in Sri Lanka is Sigiriya– a 180-meter rock, on the top of which are the remains of the palace-citadel of King Kasyapa. Today, little remains on the 1.7 hectare terrace: the paws of the “lion platform”, a giant royal throne, a gallery with frescoes and a “wall of mirrors”. True, restoration work is underway.
Amazes and cave Dambulla Temple, a monastery that is more than two thousand years old. Its walls and ceilings are painted with colorful frescoes, and the temple itself contains many Buddha statues. Today in this Buddhist monastery monks find their shelter.
Polonnaruwa
From the former splendor of the ancient capital Polonnaruwa there is nothing left today. This is the medieval capital of Sri Lanka (it was the capital for about 200 years), a museum city today, with perfectly preserved palaces and stupas (the three largest on the island), Buddha statues and luxurious gardens. For several centuries the city was “hidden” in the jungle until English hunters discovered it. And only at the beginning of the 20th century archaeological excavations began. The city has a rich past, so lovers of ancient history come here.
The most interesting place is the building of the Council of Ministers of Nissankamalla, on the columns of which the entire management system is painted. Not far from this building in ruins you can see the remains of the audience hall of King Nissankamalla with the Lion Throne, the King's Palace, which is now being restored, and several Hindu temples
Must visit Archaeological Museum Polonnaruwa, the exhibition of which includes household items, jewelry, coins, religious statues that were found during excavations in the city. Built in the 12th century, the Hatadage Temple, with frescoes and paintings, is one of the most beautiful in Polonnaruwa; Watadage Temple with a small stupa that previously housed a relic - the Tooth Relic of Buddha (now located in Kandy).
Not far from the city is the Lankatilaka temple, decorated with figurines of gods and floral patterns. It is famous for its 13-meter tall Buddha statue.
Nearby, to the north of the archaeological zone of Polonnaruwa, there is the Gal Vihara Temple (Stone Temple) with huge Buddha statues carved into granite rock that look very realistic.
Kandy
The third capital of the “golden triangle” and the last capital of the ancient kings - Kandy. An original city with original residents who honor the traditions of the past; even during British colonization it retained its historical heritage, customs and beliefs. It is the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. In the center of the city is the creation of the last king of Kandy - a beautiful artificial lake. In the center of the lake on the island there is a summer residence - the Royal Palace.
And on its shore is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most significant monuments in Kandy. It is decorated with painted ceilings and wood carvings, and the entrance doors are decorated with silver and ivory. Previously, only kings and clergy had access to the shrine.
Now times have changed: every year in August, during the Esala Perahera Festival, the shrine is brought to public display. But the temple also has many other valuables - ancient handwritten books, manuscripts, Buddhist scriptures, Buddha figurines made of precious metals and stones.
To the north of the temple are the Royal Palace, the Queen's Palace and the Audience Hall. Within the walls Royal Palace Today there is an Archaeological Museum with a magnificent collection of royal regalia, jewelry and household utensils. Nearby is the former bathhouse of Queen Ulpe Ge, three hindu temple and the oldest building in Kandy is the Niai Devala Temple.
Since Kandy is the religious capital of Ceylon and the center of Buddhism, the city is home to two ancient monasteries - Asgiriya Monastery and Malwatte Monastery. In the vicinity of the city there are many other religious centers, Buddhist temples, which are famous for their frescoes and wood carvings.
Drive through the Golden Triangle on your own
If you are relaxing on the beaches of Sri Lanka and decide to travel through the cultural capitals of the country on your own, you will need at least 5-7 days. All these cities are connected to each other in a beautiful by bus. You just have to plan your route in advance. Buses operate only during the daytime. Depending on the distance between cities, the cost of a ticket varies between 30-300 rupees (from 20 cents to 2 dollars).
Renting a car with a driver will cost $200-500 for 5 days, renting a motorcycle will cost $7-10 per day. There is no need to pay to enter the Golden Triangle. But visiting its attractions is not cheap: you will have to pay for each separately (museums, temples, etc.). We bring to your attention the prices for visiting the main attractions: Anuradhapura - $30, Dambulla - $12, Sigiriya - $30, Polonnaruwa - $25