Cultural Triangle & Ancient Cities
This dry area of Sri Lanka contains the most famous cultural and arheological reminders of a rich civilization more than 2500 years old. Escavations during the last 100 years have pushed back years of jungle encroachment and restored many ancient sites and access to them.
If you have a late arrival into the airport, why not rest your heads for a night at Hideaway, a pineapple plantation, and Horathapola, a coconut plantation bungalow are within 1-hour from the airport towards Kurenagala and the Ancient cities.
Dambulla
Dambulla’s sacred temple - the Golden Temple - consists of
5 separate caves housing Buddhist statues and many paintings both
religious and secular. The interiors are impressive but the climb
up to the Rock temple is 
steep. Dambulla is the centre point of
the Cultural Triangle and an ideal base for overnight stays. Na
Mala Eco Village is ideal for the adventurous whilst Kaladiya has
relaxing pool and complimentary mountain bikes and trails.
Sigiriya
Travel North now to Sigiriya to wonder at Lion Rock where the
remains of a 5th Century fortress palace sits 600ft above the surrounding
country. The steep and in parts 
precarious climb, accompanied by
the long tailed monkey, is rewarded by frescoes and the mirror wall
on the way. At the summit await spectacular views where you can
wander amongst the foundations of a surprisingly sophisticated palace.
One of the best views of the Lion Rock can be enjoyed from the dining
verandah at the exclusive Elephant Corridor Villas.
In the small village of Sigiriya around the base of the rock are
beautiful water 
gardens within a walled enclosure, ponds and fountains
and Boulder Garden with rock carvings, a legacy of its time as
a monastery.
Head North on the road to Polonaruwa and you reach the sleepy town of Habarana. Here adopt the mantle of the ‘Raj’ and allow a patient elephant to carry you around the lake.
Polonnaruwa
Also North of Dambulla but to the West lies the medieval capital
of Polonnaruwa, once protected by 3½ miles of walls. The
many sculptures, friezes ruins, temples etc are contained within
a family compact area. A preferable and 
equally historic destination
to Anuradhapura for the traveller with less time. It is also just
2-3 hours drive to the beautiful beaches of the East Coast and Lotus
Park Beach villas.
Water is and has been of great significance and the Parakrama Samudra-
a gigantic water tank covering 6000 acres- irrigated surrounding
paddy fields by way of 11 channels. Inhabitants of that time could
also enjoy the Baths with crocodile-mouth visitors, wild elephants
– and the tiered 8 petalled Lotus flower pond - the national
flower of Sri Lanka.
Amongst many rock carvings the Galvihara images of Buddha are the most remarkable. The delicate features of these carvings are apparent to this day and their size-standing 7m tall, 14m reclining- truly impressive.
Anuradhapura
The ancient city of Anuradhapura, lying to the North West of the
modern town and 2 hours from Dambulla, was once the greatest
monastic city of the ancient word. Abandoned in 1073 to the mercy
of the jungle, the British explorers who 
discovered it in the 19th
Century thought they had stumbled on a “lost” city.
Restoration has continued to this day on this spread-out site.
The sacred Bodhi Tree “Sri Maha Bodhi”- the oldest known in the World- a cutting of the tree in India where the Buddha achieved enlightenment- is central to the buildings and religious awareness. Golden railings maintain its safety and to approach with the pilgrims please remember to remove hat and shoes. Palaces and temples too numerous to list are there to be explored and revered.
For a detailed list of contacts, telephone numbers and opening times for:
- Places of Interest
- Activities & Safaris
- Bars & Restaurants
- Entertainment & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Transport
- Banks