Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island of astonishing contrasts, rich in history, culture and natural beauty, whose splendours range from ancient cities and golden beaches to emerald tea plantations, timeless temple ruins and wonderful wildlife.

Few places offer the variety found in Sri Lanka. Shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, the island’s vibrant culture and colonial legacies are still visible in its architecture, customs and cuisine. North of the capital Colombo, the island’s famous Cultural Triangle stretches between the ancient former capitals of Anuradhapura to the north, Polonnaruwa to the east and Kandy to the south, while between them lie the revered cave temples of Dambulla and the 5th-century rock fortress of Sigiriya, arguably Sri Lanka’s most extraordinary sight.

In the central hills, cool-climate tea estates and old-world railways wind through emerald landscapes. Wildlife lovers can seek out elephants and leopards in Yala, Udawalawe and other national parks, while the south coast tempts with palm-fringed beaches, iconic stilt fishermen and Galle’s UNESCO-listed fort, one of eight World Heritage sites found throughout the country.