This beautiful ancient land is blessed with a slew of sites, which have immense historical and archaeological significance. As declared by UNESCO, presently there are seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. These places have emerged as the hub of tourists from all across the globe fascinating to the beholders at the very first glimpse.

Sacred City of Anuradhapura, one of the very popular heritage sites in Sri Lanka

206 kms from Colombo, it was the first capital of Sri Lanka and one of the best world heritage sites in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura established on the banks of river Mahaweli during the 4th century B.C by king Pandukabhaya. This sacred city flourished for 1,300 years, until it was reduced into rubbles in an invasion in 993. The city, with its fascinating palaces, monasteries and monuments, lay hidden. Anuradhapura is acclaimed as the greatest Theravada monastic city of the world and has served as the royal capital of 113 kings.. The sacred Bo- tree, the 'tree of enlightenment'-was brought in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta was planted in Anuradhapura. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, was re-discovered in 19th century and is now accessible once again.

Polonnaruwa, the Garden City

This was second capital of Sri Lanka established after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993.. In its time, a 6 km rampart protected the city. Even during the time when Anuradhapura was the capital Polonnaruwa was an important city because it strategic position commanding all the crossings over the Mahaveli River (major river in Sri Lanka) and acted as a buffer zone against the invading armies. It comprises, besides the Bra manic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Ancient city of Sigiriya (“The Lion Rock”)

This ancient city, which dates back to about 1500 years, is the best-preserved city centre in Asia in the first millennium. “The Lion Rock”, the gardens and the pockets of paintings surviving on the rock face are the centres of attraction in this site, which stands at the threshold of being declared as the 8th wonder of the world. An array of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a prodigious lion constructed of bricks and plaster provides access to the site. It lies 169 kms away from Colombo. Sigiriya was the capital city, built by parricidal King Kasyapa who reigned from 477-495 AD. The ruins of the city lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 370 m high. The rock was transformed into a recumbent lion, which dominates the jungle from all sides.

Sacred City of Kandy

This last capital of the Sinhala Kings is a very sacred Buddhist site and known popularly as the city of Senkadagalapura. It is also home to the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of Buddha). It is183 kms from Colombo. Kandy is also known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. This sacred Buddhist site, was the last stronghold and the capital of the Sinhala kings. It is also the home for the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is one of the most venerated scared site of the Buddhists.

Port town of Galle and its fortifications

Captured and occupied in the 16th century by the Portuguese, the glory of this post – town of Galle reached its apotheosis in the 18th century, on the eve of the of the British era. It is the quintessence of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, and an intricate blend of European architecture and South Asian traditions. Galle is 114 kms away from Colombo. Galle is Sri Lanka's fourth biggest town with a population of around 1lakh. In 1598, the Portuguese built a small fort which was later extended. However, when the Dutch took over in 1640, they destroyed all traces of the Portuguese presence there. In 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a World Heritage Site . Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia.

The Golden Rock Temple of Dambulla

This rock cave located 148 kms away from Colombo has been held as sacred by the Sri Lankans for last 15 centuries. This impressive rock had been transformed into a temple by the Sinhala kings. It contains five sanctuaries and is the largest and best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious portraits, following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses. The Buddhist mural paintings, covering an area of 2,100 square metres, with 157 statues hold immense value.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja should be visited by all keen bird – watchers and is an interesting site general wildlife enthusiast. It is one of the few protected areas in Sri Lanka where visitors are permitted to walk in the interior. Sinharaja, which means as 'Lion King', covers an area of nearly 19,000 hectares in Sabaragamuwa close to the gem-mining town of Ratnapura, and consists of natural rain forest as well as introduced species, such as teak and mahogany. Exploited historically for rattan and for around 150 years by the British for commercial timber, it was not until 1977 that all logging activities were halted. The reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.This lowland forest is considered to be one of the best bird sites in Sri Lanka with 22 out of Sri Lanka's 26 endemic birds having been sighted here, and large mixed feeding flocks providing an unusual spectacle.