Galle Sri Lanka is a gem. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the historic colonial city is a visual feast of twisting alleyways and crumbling mansions and seaside views.

In Galle, fortified walls encircle photogenic buildings and car-free streets. The town’s time-warped alleyways overflow with character. Its Dutch-style villas—many of which are adorned with street-facing verandas and red-tiled roofs—burst with color and charm.

THINGS TO SEE IN GALLE SRI LANKA

Architecturally, Galle feels very unique compared to other Sri Lankan cities due to its history of occupation by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. 

Galle is Sri Lanka’s fourth most populous city and the crown jewel of the island’s southern coast. The town is worth exploring for its colonial buildings, its ancient fort, its proximity to world-class beaches and its eclectic mix of cultures.

THE GALLE FORT

The labyrinthine streets within the Galle Fort are home to Dutch colonial buildings, Buddhist temples, mosques, churches, mansions and museums.

Wandering its rambling lanes you’ll pass stylish cafes, quirky boutiques and impeccably restored hotels owned by local and foreign artists, writers, photographers and designers.

The port of Galle dates back to the time when Arab traders sailed to China in search of eastern riches. Galle was their last haven before crossing the Bay of Bengal. Perhaps one of the earliest recorded references to Galle comes from the great Arab traveler Iban Battuta, who visited the port, which he calls Qali, in the mid-14th century.

• The Galle Fort Walls

Walking the walls of the historic fort is among the top things to do in Galle.

The Portuguese built the original walls out of earth and palisades in the 16th century. When the Dutch took control of the area, they took down the fortifications and replaced them with the coral and granite walls that you see today. 

The current walls of the Galle fort date back to 1663.

• The Galle Lighthouse

The Galle Lighthouse sits within the Galle Fort. It is strategically located at the southern end of the promontory, at Point Utrecht Bastion, giving it full view of any ships entering Galle Harbour.

• Colonial Buildings in Galle

Galle’s crumbling colonial buildings give the seaside town a warped old-timey feel.

At first glance, I thought I might be in one of Central America’s beautifully-preserved colonial towns–San Juan in Puerto Rico, Granada in Nicaragua or Antigua in Guatemala, for example.

But the tuktuks weaving down cobbled streets and the smattering of mosques and Buddhist temples interspersed between shops, quickly reminded me that I was thousands of miles away.

• Dutch Reformed Church

The present church, built at the highest point within the Galle Fort, dates back to 1682. The exterior is white with beautiful albeit simple outlines. Inside, you’ll find a stained glass mosaic window and the pulpit on the left side of the church.

• Meeran Jummah Mosque

Commonly known as the Galle Fort Mosque, the Meeran Jummah Mosque is among the more notable buildings within Galle’s historic center.

• Sri Sudharmalaya

The Buddhist temple of Sri Sudharmalaya sits on Rampart Street, at the heart of the Galle Fort. The temple contains a prayer hall, a small white stupa that dates as far back as 1889, and a sitting statue of the Buddha. 

The temple blends colonial and East Asian influence.

Buddhist monks currently live and serve in the building.

• Shops in the Galle Old Town

In addition to being known as the Spice Island, Sri Lanka is world-renowned for its precious gems. The area within the Galle Fort is one of the best shopping destinations in Sri Lanka. Filled chock a block with gem and jewelry stores, it offers a plethora of indoor places to visit on a rainy day.

While I’m not a shopper myself, I must admit that the shiny colorful stones drew me in more times than one.

BEACHES NEAR GALLE

Galle beautifully marries European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. It remains the largest fortress in Asia built by Europeans.

Yet, while Galle’s attractive streets and colorful facades are a wonderland for lovers of pretty buildings, most tourists head to the area in order to relax on one of Southern Sri Lanka’s idyllic golden beaches.

• Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna Beach lies just 6km away from the historic fort of Galle and is perhaps one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches. Deemed the world’s finest stretch of sand by both the Discovery Channel and the founder of Rough Guides, Unawatuna can get crowded. I was worried that throngs of people would mar our experience.

But I was surprised to see, when we reached the beach, that the infinite golden sands were virtually deserted. With fine-grained sand and turquoise water, the beach at Unawatuna was a little slice of heaven.

Unawatuna Beach may be the most famous beach in southern Sri Lanka, but it is by no means its only heavenly stretch of sand.

• Jungle Beach

After a morning of lounging on the shores of Unawatuna, we trudged through the jungle to the secluded Jungle Beach. When we arrived, a large group of local kids were in the throes of a barbecue party.

I could only imagine how heavenly the jungle-backed stretch of sand would have been on a weekday afternoon.

WHERE TO STAY IN GALLE

We stayed in beachside cabanas outside of Galle during our stay in southern Sri Lanka. For the price of a cup of coffee in the United States, the small rustic huts were our little paradise. We woke up each morning to a cup of tea and Sri Lankan string hoppers, explored Galle and its surrounding beaches by day, and retired to bed each night to the sound of crashing waves.

Unfortunately, the property seems to have shut down since my visit. For a similar experience, you may consider the Rosa Shashi Cabanas.

While I loved staying along one of Sri Lanka’s windswept golden beaches, I would have also enjoyed staying within the Galle Fort for the sake of convenience. The town’s historic center has a mix of accommodation options at various price points.

On the cheaper end of the spectrum, you’ll find the Fort Thari Inn. The three star hotel boasts clean rooms and a convenient location within the Galle Fort.

As a midrange option, The Fort House seems wonderful. The boutique hotel has stylish rooms, an outdoor courtyard, and beautiful breakfasts.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious offering, the Galle Fort Hotel is a highly-rated option with clean rooms, a central location, and an outdoor pool.

BEST TIME TO VISIT GALLE SRI LANKA

Though peak season in Sri Lanka runs from December to April, the country is a year-round travel destination. Temperatures in Sri Lanka stay relatively similar year round and hover between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius in the lowlands and coastal regions (the highlands around Ella are noticeably cooler).

Between May and September, the southern and western coast of Sri Lanka tend to get quite a bit of rain. As a result, most travel guides suggest focusing summer travel itineraries on the areas in the country’s north and east.

Visiting Sri Lanka in July meant promises of clear skies and sunshine in Udawalawe and the Cultural Triangle, but potential monsoon-like conditions along the southern coast near Galle.

But we decided to visit the southern coast during the rainy season anyway, and had a wonderful time.

So while we did experience a few showers during our visit to Galle in the rainy season, the short bursts of inclement weather did little to dampen our experience (all puns intended).

***

Galle is likely Sri Lanka’s prettiest city.

The colonial gem is a Unesco World Heritage Site and a popular vacation getaway destination due to its charming core and nearby beaches.

The post Visiting Galle Sri Lanka: A UNESCO Gem appeared first on Erika's Travels .

There’s something so raw and primal about going on safari. About traveling down a dusty roads and coming face to face with animals in the wild.

It’s a thrilling sensation that never abates, no matter how many safari parks I visit.

Prior to traveling to Sri Lanka, I knew of the country’s architectural gems, its idyllic countryside, and its pristine beaches. But—until I was deep in the planning process—I didn’t know that its wildlife-spotting opportunities were some of the best on Earth.

Among its most renowned safari destinations is Udawalawe National Park—a biodiversity hotspot that among the world’s best places to see Asian elephants in the wild.

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA

For such a small island, Sri Lanka boasts a remarkable number of wildlife refuges that are worthy of including in a travel itinerary. The tear-shaped island has been designated a biodiversity hotspot, along with the Western Ghats in India. It is home to a diverse array of animals—from elephants to sloth bears and from leopards to exotic birds.

Udawalawe National Park lies in southern Sri Lanka, about 3.5 hours southeast of Colombo and two hours from both Ella and Galle. It is one of the most wildlife-rich places to visit in Sri Lanka, along with Yala National Park and Minneriya.

Designated as a national park in 1972, Udawalawe provides a safe refuge for Sri Lanka’s wild elephants.

Elephants are Udawalawe’s key attraction. More than 600 live within the park’s boundaries, often congregating in herds of fifty or more.

WILDLIFE IN UDAWALAWE

Sri Lanka has its very own Big 5 that differs from the Big 5 that you’ll encounter in Africa. These include the leopard, the Asian elephant, the sloth bear, the blue whale, and the sperm whale.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to see the three land mammals in Udawalawe (though sloth bears and leopards are rare treats). You’re all but guaranteed to see elephants.

In addition to Sri Lanka’s Big 5, Udawalawe National Park is home to sambar, chital, water buffaloes, crocodiles, wild boars and Toque Macaques—reddish brown monkeys endemic to Sri Lanka.

There are upwards of 180 resident bird species in Udawalawe, in addition to many others that pass through on their migratory routes. Notable species endemic to the area include the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Junglefowl, the Malabar pied hornbill and the Brown-capped Babbler.

UDAWALAWE SAFARI TOURS

Tours of Udawalawe National Park consist of Jeep safaris. You cannot drive your own vehicle in the park.

Jeep safaris are bookable both online or from many of the guesthouses in the area. The morning after our arrival in the area, we spent the better part of the day exploring Udawalawe’s nooks and crannies on a private safari tour.

We did not book our tour in advance and had no issue finding a tour that fit our budget and schedule.

If you prefer to book tours online in advance, you’ll find plenty of options. I found tours of Udawalawe online for as low as $27—a true steal considering the quality and quantity of wildlife in the park.

Most tours of Udawalawe National Park consist of a morning or late afternoon game drive.

If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even book a private tour that allows you the opportunity to visit Udawalawe and Yala in the same day.

OUR UDAWALAWE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

We started our Udawalawe journey in the park’s scrublands that are popular with elephants, as the large mammals are most active at dawn.

Over the course of the morning, our safari in Udawalawe National Park brought us face to face with elephants of all shapes and sizes.

Our day-long Udawalawe safari covered most of the land within the park’s boundaries. It brought us deep into the thicket of elephant-speckled forest, past lakes infested with crocodiles and through marshy plains dotted with deer and herds of buffalo.

In the afternoon, while most of the large animals were enjoying their siestas in the shade, we took the opportunity to visit the lakes and wetlands of the national park in search of birds.

Udawalawe National Park contains two shallow lakes that are magnets for the park’s flocks of waterfowl. The area around the lakes is home to large herds of water buffalo and spotted deer. Like the treeless flatlands of the Etosha Pan, the vast expanses in Udawalawe afforded us the opportunity to witness the interaction of numerous species at once–buffalo soaking in the shallow waters, crocodiles lounging lazily on the muddy banks and hawks circling overhead.

The scenery and wildlife is a testament to both Sri Lanka’s varied landscapes and its unparalleled biodiversity.

UDAWALAWE ELEPHANT TRANSIT HOME

Udawalawe safaris offer unparalleled opportunities for animal-spotting. The park contains an Elephant Transit Home that gives tourists the opportunity to have an ethical elephant encounter.

Supported by the Born Free Foundation, the transit home aims to rehabilitate orphaned elephants. The elephants are then released back into their natural habitat once they are deemed ready.

The Elephant Transit Home is open to tourists. Due to lack of time, I did not visit the center during my trip to Sri Lanka. I’d already visited an elephant rescue center in Thailand and wanted to prioritize the safari experience.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR UDAWALAWE

My friend and I stayed at the no-frills yet lovely Morningside Guesthouse in Udawalawe. The accommodation has since permanently closed, though there are plenty of similar budget-friendly places to stay—including the Hasthi Safari Cottage and La Casa Safari Resort.

If you’re looking for an even cheaper option that is suitable for backpacking Sri Lanka on a budget, the Best Safari Homestay has rooms at a wallet-friendly price point.

For a step up in luxury and amenities, the Jungle Paradise Resort and Mango Tree House receive excellent reviews.

***

Flanked by a crescent of purple-tinged mountains, Udawalawe is both scenically stunning and teeming with wildlife.

During every moment of our six hour Udawalawe safari, I felt the same thrills I’d felt the first time I set out on a safari. I reveled in the sounds of nature, relished the feelings of solitude, and marveled at my raw and unspoiled surroundings.

And for the entirety of my safari tour in Udawalawe National Park, I was transported back to the time I spent in Africa–nearly forgetting that I was over 7,000 miles away on a small, tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

The post Udawalawe Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka appeared first on Erika's Travels .

Sri Lanka is known for many things: beautiful scenery, hospitable people, diverse wildlife, ancient civilizations, and a brutal civil war that ravaged the country until 2009.

But most of all,  the small island nation is known for its production of high-quality tea.

In the lush Hill Country near Ella, tea plantations carpet mist-wrapped hillsides, while waterfalls tumble through thickets of dense vegetation. It is a stunning region, where hiking trails abound and neatly-pruned tea plants drape over the area’s peaks and valleys like a patchwork quilt.

THINGS TO DO IN ELLA, SRI LANKA

The small town of Ella lies nestled in the idyllic rolling highlands of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. It is a laidback hangout spot for backpackers, hikers, and lovers of nature.

Ella is bustling with guesthouses, hotels and seemingly more restaurants than the rest of Sri Lanka combined. The town is one of the most popular travel destinations in Sri Lanka.

And for good reason.

Ella’s surroundings are ripe with incredible scenery and a plethora of things to see and do.

THE KANDY-ELLA TRAIN

The train ride from Kandy to Ella is one of the top things to do in Sri Lanka. The rickety blue passenger train connects Ella with the historic city of Kandy and showcases spectacular scenery en-route.

With its postcard-perfect views at every bend, the Kandy-Ella route is often regarded as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.

The train travels at such a slow pace that it took us nine hours to travel the 140 kilometers between Kandy and Ella.

But still, it was one of the most memorable days of our trip to Sri Lanka.

The train from Kandy to Ella tends to fill up with tourists and locals alike. To secure a spot, you can reserve tickets online in advance.

While first class tickets often sell out quickly, I don’t necessarily recommend traveling in style. In first class, the windows and doors don’t open—so you won’t be able to hang out of the train car.

We bought second class tickets and switched back and forth between the second and third class compartments. When a spot opened up near third class doorway, we sat down on the floor and watched the world go by, with our feet hanging out of the carriage.

From the doorway of our third class compartment, we were practically able to reach out and touch the area’s dense foliage and emerald grasses.

HIKE TO THE NINE ARCH BRIDGE NEAR ELLA

The Nine Arch Bridge is a relic of former Ceylon. It is a beautiful attraction, as well as an impressive feat of engineering.

Hiking to the Nine Arch Bridge is one of the top things to do in Ella.

The hiking path follows the main road in town, before veering to the left past private homes and tea plantations. The return journey follows the train tracks back into town. The leisurely walk affords a birds-eye view of one of Sri Lanka’s most picturesque bridges.

A small family-owned cafe sits along the hiking trail, overlooking the Nine Arch Bridge.

Since we were in no particular hurry, Emma and I bought smoothies from a small cafe, found a shady place to sit, and waited for the train to make its way across the tracks.

HIKE UP LITTLE ADAM’S PEAK

Little Adam’s Peak is fairly easy to climb, with a well-marked, well-maintained path leading all the way to the top.

The popular mountain gets its name from Adam’s Peak due to its similar (albeit smaller) form.

The trail passes by verdant plantations that are dotted with tea-pickers and Hindu shrines.

From its summit, Little Adam’s Peak affords breathtaking 360 degree panoramas of the Hill Country’s forested terrain.

From Little Adam’s Peak there is a direct trail to Nine Arch Bridge, which will save you time if you choose to undertake both popular hikes in one day.

VISIT A TEA FACTORY

Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is noticeably higher and cooler than elsewhere on the island. Its combination of temperature, rainfall and fertile soil has created ideal conditions for growing and harvesting high-quality tea.

Tea cultivation in Sri Lanka dates back to the 1880s, when James Taylor introduced the first tea plantation to British Ceylon.

Today, independent Sri Lanka is the world’s fourth-largest producer of tea. The tea industry generates billions of dollars annually for the Sri Lankan economy and employs over one million people.

The Uva Halpewatte Tea factory outside of Ella is the perfect place to learn more about the production and distribution of tea in Sri Lanka.

You can visit the factory’s production rooms as part of an hourlong tour.

Tours of the Uva Halpewatte Factory allow you to see the process by which tea is plucked, sorted, dried and packaged.

CHASE WATERFALLS IN ELLA

Ella’s lush verdant hillsides conceal tumbling waterfalls and gushing streams. Ravana Falls and Diyalama Falls are probably the most famous cascades in the area, though some hidden gems lie off the trodden tourist trail.

Regrettably, I didn’t get the opportunity to visit any of the Hill Country’s waterfalls during my trip to Sri Lanka.

ENJOY SRI LANKA’S FOOD SCENE

During our time in Ella, we took advantage of the little city’s culinary delights. We started each day with a pot of tea, filled our stomachs with curries and papadams and stopped by the Down Town Roti Hut after every meal for a scrumptious banana-and-chocolate-filled dessert.

I learned, During our trip, we learned that most Sri Lankans eat at home and restaurant culture hasn’t really taken hold outside of tourist areas. As a result, we found a surprising dearth of eateries throughout the country.

You won’t have a hard time finding places to eat in Ella, though.

With all the tourists, delicious places to eat abound.

WHERE TO STAY IN ELLA SRI LANKA

During our three days in Ella, my friend and I stayed at Nest of Peak— a budget guesthouse perched atop a hill outside of town. Our inexpensive room came with a private bath and a balcony affording unbeatable views of the Ella Gap.

Our budget guesthouse accommodation provided everything we needed and we immediately felt as though we had found paradise amongst the Hill Country’s misty emerald peaks,

Other highly-rated budget options around Ella include the Astral Zone Cottage and Lavendra Paradise.

The Namara Green Ella is a midrange option that remains largely affordable by international standards.

For a step up in luxury, you may want to consider the 98 Acres Resort and Spa or the HIDE ELLA Hotel and Resort.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ELLA SRI LANKA

Ella boasts cooler temperatures than many other places in Sri Lanka, thanks to its higher elevation and mountainous setting.

The best time to visit Ella is between January and March. Monsoons often strike the central highlands between July and November, though the months of June and July also tend to be pleasant. Temperatures peak in June-August.

If you want to minimize your chances of encountering rain, you should avoid April, May, October, and November.

My friend and I visited in July. The weather was generally quite favorable, albeit hot and humid.

***

I spent three days in Ella during a trip to Sri Lanka that included the Cultural Triangle, Udawalawe National Park, and the coastal town of Galle.

Though we only stayed in the Hill Country for a limited time, I could have easily spent my entire vacation exploring the tea plantations and mountainsides of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. With its emerald terraces, its mist-wrapped mountains and its carpet of neatly-manicured plantations, the Hill Country is a jewel on Sri Lanka’s scenic crown.

And if you’re coming from the hot and sticky scrublands of the Cultural Triangle, the cool mountain climate is a literal breath of fresh air.

The post Ella: The Heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country appeared first on Erika's Travels .

At the heels of a drawn-out civil war that effectively erased Sri Lanka from the trodden tourist trail, the small tear-shaped country has emerged as a rewarding travel destination. Despite its tiny size, the island country is replete with things to see—from ancient cities to verdant tea plantations and from gold-sand beaches to wildlife-rich parks.

For travelers looking to delve into the country’s history, the Cultural Triangle is an absolute must-see area. The triangle’s three points mark the island’s three historic capitals: the hill country’s capital of Kandy, the medieval city of Polonnaruwa and the ancient Sinhalese center of Anuradhapura.

SRI LANKA’S CULTURAL TRIANGLE

I visited Sri Lanka with a friend, following a brief visit to Singapore. first stop on our two week Sri Lanka itinerary was the Cultural Triangle—an area in country’s central highlands that is bursting at the seams with historic attractions and must-see World Heritage Sites.

The Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka is the crucible of early Sinhalese civilization. An essential part of any Sri Lanka itinerary, the triangle boasts some of the greatest archeological and historical sites in South Asia.

KANDY TOWN

Situated about two hours east of the Colombo Airport, Kandy is Sri Lanka’s second largest city and the undeniable center of its artistic and cultural heritage. While we primarily used Kandy as a transportation hub for the island, we got a chance to spend a bit of time walking the shores of Lake Kandy and visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth–a relic that purportedly houses one of the Buddha’s teeth encased in a golden casket.

The temple is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists from around the island and is an important part of Kandy’s cultural landscape.

North of Kandy, the lush hills of the highlands give way to the scrubby plains of the dry zone. This hot and dusty region is blanketed in thorny brush and punctuated by isolated rock monoliths that tower dramatically over the surrounding flatlands.

The dusty little town of Dambulla sits at the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. This uninspiring jumble of buildings at the junction of some of the country’s most heavily-trafficked highways, is the perfect base for exploring the highlights of the island’s central region.

THE DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE

The first major historical site that Emma and I visited in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, was the Dambulla Cave Temple. Known for its frescoes that date back to to the first century BC, the complex of caverns is the largest and best preserved of its kind on the island.

The temple contains five dimly-lit grottoes with original frescoes and statues of the Buddha. Our Lonely Planet guide suggested visiting the caves in reverse order; starting at the fifth cave and ending at the first. For while the fifth cave is relatively nondescript, the first two offer some of the island’s most exquisite examples of Sinhalese Buddhist art.

The Dambulla Cave Temple sits atop an outcrop of rock at the southern end of town. It is well worth the bloated $10 entrance fee for foreigners, and often paired with an afternoon visit to one of the region’s other attractions.

THE SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS

On our second day in Central Sri Lanka, we decided to pack in a visit to two of the country’s premier sites–the spectacular citadel of Sigiriya and the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa.

Sigiriya (also known as Lion’s Rock) rises from the arid scrubland. It is an extraordinary site, made all the more unforgettable by its dramatic setting. In 1982, UNESCO declared Sigiriya a World Heritage Site.

Today, it is the country’s most recognizable icon and one of the top places to visit in Sri Lanka.

Due to its popularity and despite its steep $30 entrance fee, Sigiriya can get crowded–especially in the late morning and early afternoon. Fellow travelers we met at our hostel suggested we skip Sigiriya altogether and climb to the top of Pidurangala Rock instead.

But I’m glad we stayed on the tourist trail and climbed the towering Lion’s Rock. For had we skipped a visit to Sigiriya in order to save $30, I can guarantee we would have regretted our decision.

POLONNARUWA RUINS

After spending the morning in Sigiriya, Emma and I decided to round out our busy day with a visit to Polonnaruwa. Those hoping to visit both archeological sites within a day, can catch a bus from Sigiriya to the Inamaluwa juncion, followed by another bus from the junction to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa’s extensive and well-preserved ruins offer a fascinating snapshot of Medieval Sri Lanka.

Like Ayutthaya in Thailand and Bagan in Myanmar, Polonnaruwa is so vast that touring the area on foot is both exhausting and time-consuming. As a result, many people choose to explore Polonnaruwa by bicycle. And we, too, had anticipated discovering the ruins on two wheels. But the unrelenting heat and comparable cost to taking a tuk-tuk, prompted us to hire a guide and driver for the day instead.

Hiring a driver turned out to be one of the best decisions we made during our visit to the Cultural Triangle. Our guide–a lanky old man with an affable smile–brought us to the ancient city’s highlights, while proudly showing off his knowledge of the area in broken English.

Together, we visited reclining Buddhas, temples adorned in frescoes and imposing pagodas. Then, after taking in Polonnaruwa’s most notable ruins, our guide brought us past rice paddies and local villages–giving us a glimpse of rural Sri Lankan life and ensuring that we received much more than we bargained for by choosing to hire him for the day.

ANURADHAPURA

On our third day in Central Sri Lanka, we decided to take a bus to the temple complex of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is the spiritual heart of the Cultural Triangle and the country’s ancient Sinhalese capital. It was the capital of the island from the third century BC, until its destruction in 993 AD. Up until its demise, Anuradhapura  was one of Asia’s greatest metropolises.

Anuradhapura was established around an offspring of the Bodhi Tree–the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha. Brought to the area in 288 BC by Emperor Ashoka’s daughter, Sanghamitta, the offspring (known as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree) is the world’s oldest living human-planted tree.

The ruins of Anuradhapura are scattered amidst the buildings of the present-day city and cover an area of 36 square kilometers. The distances are too far and the heat too unbearable, to explore the area on foot.

So, as with our visit to Polonnaruwa, Emma and I hired a tuk-tuk driver to take us to the Anuradhapura’s Bodhi Tree, its Buddhist statues, its holy palaces and its towering dagobas.

Then, after almost crippling from heat-induced exhaustion, we made our way back to Dambulla by bus, grabbed our backpacks from the Dambulla City Hostel and continued back along the Cultural Triangle’s hypotenuse, toward Kandy.

The post Visiting the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka appeared first on Erika's Travels .