-
Lighthouse Beach
A nice little swath of sand right on the east side of the Fort, its a good place for a dip after a days sweaty explorations.
-
Vessagiriya
South of the Isurumuniya Vihara are extensive remains of the Vessagiriya cave monastery complex, which dates from much the same time.
-
St Mary’s Church
The fading pink chamber of St Mary’s Church, in the town centre, has some thunderous religious ceiling paintings covering the nave.
-
Mahapali Refectory
The Mahapali refectory is notable for its immense trough (nearly 3m long and 2m wide) that the lay followers filled with rice for the monks.
-
Grand Mosque
The Grand Mosque is the most important of Colombos many mosques. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims during prayer times and Fridays.
-
Ul
The Muslim area near the river features this beautiful mosque with coloured tile work and wooden lintels, and tombs of two holy men.
-
Sri Muthumariamman Kovil
During the harvest festival of Thai Pongal (held in January) devotees flock to this Hindu temple, which become even more colourful and lively.
-
Sri Manika Pillaiyar
The Sri Manika Pillaiyar, which boasts an array of Hindu statuary illuminated by fairy lights, gives Ganesh a lovely view across Ampara Tank.
-
Kiruwananaganga Falls
The Kiruwananaganga Falls, some of the largest in Sri Lanka (60m high and up to 60m wide), are 5km east of Kotapola on the road towards Urubokka.
-
Lionel Wendt Centre
Has a constantly changing lineup of cultural events with regular art exhibitions as well as performances. It’s worth turning up just to see what’s on.
-
Chulangani Vihara
The moss-encrusted ruins of the small 12th-century Chulangani Vihara has a pudding-shaped dagoba and fragments of a decapitated 7th-century Buddha.
-
Dondra Head Lighthouse
The landmark Dondra Head Lighthouse provides an exclamation mark to the the southernmost point of Sri Lanka. Climb the interior for fabulous views.
-
Basawakkulama
The oldest tank in Anuradhapura, probably dating from around the 4th century BC, is the 120-hectare Basawakkulama (the Tamil word for tank is kulam).
-
Heritage Spice & Herbs Garden
With an attractive, shady garden, this spice specialist runs informative tours and has a cafe for snacks and drinks. Around 15km north of Matale.
-
Polhena Beach
The best beach in the area is hugely popular with locals at weekends who rent goofy inflatable toys and frolic in the surf. Its just west of town.
-
Martyrs Monolith
The Martyr’s Monolith which remembers 31 locals killed by the military in 1986 features a design of hands with broken chains grasping a flame.
-
Mandala Mahavihara
The central Buddhist Mandala Mahavihara has a large pagoda. Its interior is somewhat tackily painted with Buddhist scenes and a cloud-dotted ‘sky’.
-
Folk Museum
A short distance north of the Archaeological Museum there’s a Folk Museum with dusty exhibits of country life in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province.
-
Colombo Club
The 19th-century Colombo Club faces the Galle Face Green from the grounds of Taj Samudra hotel; the club’s rooms are still used for functions.
-
Alliance Française
Has a comfy lounge with English- and French-language newspapers and a library with books in French and English. Offers occasional film screenings.
Total
424 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
6/22 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
