When you think of Sri Lanka, what images comes to your mind? Perhaps it’s the long sandy beaches or those iconic shots of elephants roaming in the wild. But did you know the country is also home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Or as we like to call them: eight more reasons to add Sri Lanka to your bucket list.
Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
1. Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa was once the capital of Sri Lanka and served as a thriving commercial and religious hub, positioned in the northeast of the country. The well-preserved ruins of this ancient capital date back to the 12th century and offer a stunning glimpse of Sri Lanka’s majestic past.
Highlights of Polonnaruwa include the Royal Palace, the Sacred Quadrangle and numerous dagobas or shrines. Visiting Polonnaruwa gives you the feel of exploring Angkor Wat in Cambodia: here, too, you’ll find stunning archaeological remains surrounded by the lush, thriving tropics, and you’ll be able to hop from site on a bicycle. If you can handle the tropical heat, that is!
2. Ancient City of Sigiriya
The Ancient City of Sigiriya is one of the most iconic landmarks in Sri Lanka and one of the most visited sites in the country. Sigiriya was the capital built by King Kassapa I in the 5th century. The ruins that remain stand on “Lion’s Rock” – a massive granite peak which at 180 metres high is a formidable site when viewed from the jungle below. Equally impressive is the staircase which emerges from the mouth of a lion carved into the granite rock wall. Bring your camera!
3. Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
A visit to Galle Fort is usually a part of all and any Sri Lankan itinerary and with good reason. Perched in the southwest corner of the island, this beautiful structure dates back to the 16th century. Though the fort was originally built by the Portuguese, it was extensively fortified by the Dutch and is today often referred to as Dutch Galle Fort. UNESCO highlights Galle Fort as “the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia.”
Today, Galle Fort offers a charming mix of old and a bit of the not-too-new. The cobble stone streets, beautifully preserved buildings and endless historic charm are still there, with the new addition of gourmet dining, bijou boutiques and restored luxury villas hidden in between. Visiting Galle Fort is always one of the highlight of our trips to Sri Lanka – read more about our last visit to Galle Fort here.
4. Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple has certainly earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the cave monastery been a revered pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. This living Buddhist site is recognised as the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in all of Sri Lanka. Of particular importance are the mural paintings which cover a large area of some 2,100m2. The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple occupies an important intersection between the continuous Buddhist traditions still carried out today, and pilgrimage traditions which have been carried out for more than two millennia.
5. Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Sacred City of Anuradhapura has been shrouded in mystery – quite literally. Engulfed and hidden in jungle for years, this historic site has been made accessible once more. The city is steeped in hallowed history and was originally founded around a cutting from the “Tree of Enlightenment” – the fig tree of the Buddha, which was brought to the area during the third century. Beyond its unique origin story, Anuradhapura reigned as a political and religious capital for more than a thousand years.
6. Sacred City of Kandy
Located in the highlands in the centre of the country, the city of Kandy is steeped on ancient history and makes for a worthy addition to any Sri Lankan itinerary. With a population of some 125,000 people, Kandy is the second largest city in Sri Lanka. Kandy was the last capital city of Sinhala kings – the last of the ancient kings’ era in Sri Lanka. Kandy is also home to the revered Temple of the Tooth Relic which is one of the most popular landmarks for visitors to the country.
Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka
7. Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
The Central Highlands are the latest site to be added to Sri Lanka’s list of World Heritage Sites, having been awarded the title in 2010. This stunning region brings travellers 2,500 metres above sea-level and offers an amazing variety of vegetation and wildlife, including endangered species like the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. In fact, the area is considered a “super biodiversity hotspot” with global importance.
The Central Highlands consists of three distinct components, namely the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, Horton Plains National Park and Knuckles Conservation Forest. A large portion of species endemic to Sri Lanka are restricted to these diverse areas.
8. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Last but not least, we give you: the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Looking at lush photos of Sri Lanka, this might come as a surprise, but Sinharaja is actually the last viable area of primary tropical rainforest in the country. More than half of the beautiful and majestic trees you encounter here are endemic to this area and many of them are considered rare. The area is incredibly important to Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and unique wildlife: the Sinharaja region is home over 50% of Sri Lanka’s endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many species of bids, insects and reptiles.
Can’t get enough of Sri Lanka? Dive deeper with our Sri Lanka travel guide or get first-hand accounts in our popular Sri Lanka Diaries.
