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Discover Sri Lanka
Considering its small size, this remarkably diverse nation is nothing short of astonishing. Mangrove
ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS
History buffs rejoice, for Sri Lanka boasts an
amazing eight World Heritage sites. Nestled within
the jungle, ancient Anuradapura ruled the island
for 1,300 years. While Sigiriya, a fortified palace
built atop the 'Lion's Rock', was home to King
Kassapa I in the 5th century. Then there's Kandy
– the last capital of the Sinhala kings and home
to the sacred tooth of the Buddha. The list goes on.
PRISTINE BEACHES
Surrounded entirely by the Indian Ocean,
romantic strolls along the beach aren't hard
to come by in Sri Lanka. The island's beautiful
white sands are lined with palm trees and many
are flanked by charming colonial townscapes.
The south is where you'll witness majestic
scenes of stilt fisherman in the shallows,
patiently waiting for their catch of the day.
TRADE & CONQUESTS
If you turn back the calendar to 7th-century
Sri Lanka, you'll find locals bartering their
wares to the Arab traders, including gems,
ivory and cinnamon. A new era began when
the Portuguese arrived in 1505 with an interest
in the lucrative spice trade. The Dutch and the
British would soon follow before Sri Lanka
finally gained its independence in 1948.
Main image: experience the Dambulla Cave Temple, a sacred pilgrimage site for centuries
