Sri Lanka Off The Beaten Path

  The road north
by Maxus
 
  • The road north
      The road north
    by Maxus
  • idyllic beach in Tangalla
      idyllic beach in Tangalla
    by josephescu
  • the man and the sea
      the man and the sea
    by josephescu
  • idyllic beach in Tangalla
      idyllic beach in Tangalla
    by josephescu
  • idyllic beach in Tangalla
      idyllic beach in Tangalla
    by josephescu
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

by Maxus

Maybe only a sentimental old fool like me would be moved by Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Haputale (and dozens of similar Anglican Churches across Sri Lanka). Somebody really cares about this place and it also tells a story about the British in Sri Lanka.I am not a religious person and I will not attempt to defend imperial rule but Saint Andrews, set in its neat little graveyard, with its well polished brass plaque in memory of the Haputale planters who fell in the Great War of 1914 to 1918 brought a lump to my throat.“If I should die, think only this of me: that there's some corner of a foreign field that is forever England.”Rupert Brooke (English Poet, 1887-1915)This area is a great place from which to see the Hill Country (nowhere better for walkers) have a look at my Haputale travel page for links to other websites and my accommodation tips for somewhere to stay.

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Pahiyangala: a real treat for budding Buddhists

by Maxus

If you want to visit a truly impressive place which is usually crowd-free then get along to the ancient cave and rock temple at Pahiyangala.Pahiyangala attracts Buddhists from all over Sri Lanka on Poya Day but is over-looked by the most of the guide books so the rest of the time you might well have the place to yourself. In addition to the pre-historic excavations and rather eclectic collection of relics there is a training centre for Buddhist Monks and a temple complex were people often come to spend the night before presenting the monks with their breakfast.A site of special scientific and archaeological interest, complete with a large statue of a reclining Lord Buddha and surrounded by some of the finest countryside that Sri Lanka has to offer Pahiyangala is the prefect daytrip from all the west coast tourist resorts. There is no fixed entrance fee but a donation is expected,...

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Small Town Sri Lanka

by Maxus

On the face of it there is not much to draw tourists into Bulatsinhala, I've been there dozens of times and not once seen another white face, for me that is a major attraction, it's just regular small town Sri Lanka with friendly locals and no touts.Market day is Sunday and the town gets busy but during the week it can be an almost sleepy place, excellent for tout free shopping (to be fair nearby Horana and Matugama are better). Local shops and small cafes have most things you'll want, there is also a pharmacy, clinic, post office and bank (no ATM). The bustling city of Horana, less than an hour away by local bus, has everything else you might need. Near Bulatsinhala is the impressive rock temple and Buddhist seminary at Pahiyangala. Famous in Sri Lanka Pahiyangala draws Buddhists by the bus load on Poya Day but is over looked by the guide books so you will have it largely to yourself...

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Nalanda

by bijo69

There's a temple at Nalanda (about 20km South of Dambulla) which has an interesting mixture of Buddhist and Hindu architecture. There are supposed to be tantric carvings on it, but as the whole temple is quite a bit weather beaten, I only saw one.Admission fee is 5US$ (way too much), but it's included in the "Cultural Triangle" pass.

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Undisturbed rainforest of Sinharaja

by josephescu

At the heart of the island’s wet zone, an undisturbed rainforest. Sinharaja means Kingdom of Lion though there aren’t lions here. The hilly virgin rainforest has a rich canopy reaching heights of nearly 50m and which is almost entirely endemic to Sri Lanka. At the edges of the reserve, there are small villages allowing nice insights into rural Sri Lanka a few decades ago. Because of the dense vegetation, there is little light and the atmosphere is very, very humid; wildlife is not as easily seen as in dry-zone national parks in other parts of the island. There are no elephants here, and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. The commonest larger mammal is the endemic Purple-faced Langur, while you’ll encounter dozens of birds, snakes and small reptiles. Think of leeches, rub your feet and filll you socks with plenty of salt from time to time. Walking in sandals is not such a bad idea as...

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Mulkirigala rock temple

by josephescu

Mulkirigala is an imposing rock with remarkable cave temples located 21km north from Tangalle on the southern coast. This enormous boulder with a little of Dambulla and Sigiriya about it rises almost perpendicularly for over 200 metres out of the surrounding palm forest. Mulkirigala consists of a series of rock temples carved out of the face of a huge rock outcrop built in the 2nd Century. B.C. and a Buddhist temple complex that ascends and crowns the rock. The climb to the summit begins near a small Buddhist school of young monks. A stone path gives way to a flight of steps leading up the flank of the rock. Immediately beyond the ticket office lies the first terrace, home to two rock temples and a small dagoba. The temple nearest to the entrance contains a reclining Buddha with murals of Vishnu, Kataragama, Vibbishana and paintings of Jataka stories. Just past the ticket office there is...

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Tangalla

by josephescu

This small town hides some of the most gorgeous bays and beaches on the southern coast. Relaxed and easy-going atmosphere, with few tourists (at the time of visit), many fishermen, and without large hotels and noisy restaurants or bars, Tangalle/Tangalla seems an idyllic place to spend some days of splurge.At a closer look however, tsunami stories bring about another reality – dense vegetation near the beaches hide scores of oceanfront guesthouses which remain in ruin, with rebuilding taking a slow pace. Tangalle also serves as a starting point for visits to the rock temple of Mulkirigala.The name of the town means "projected rock" in Sinhala and this refers to the rocks, which form the coastline in the town area, as opposed to the sandy beach of the surrounding areas.

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The lovers

by adinda

Isurumuniya temple, in Anuradhapura, built in the 3rd century B.C. is noted for its rockcarvings. The best known among these is the 'Lovers'. Many a poet and song writerhas taken inspiration from this carving to write their masterpieces. It is believed that thecarving may represent Saliya, and the low-caste maiden whom he loved. Saliya was theson of the great king Dutugamunu.

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Fruit stalls along the road

by flyfreak

When driving along Sri Lanka's roads, you should stop by at one of the small fruit stalls/shops that you can find anywhere along the bumpy roads of Sri Lanka. My favourite: pineapples! They cut them for you and you can enjoy this nice refreshment....

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Yatiyantota: Pull over and cool off

by Maxus

Coming down from the Hill Country towards Colombo the change in temperature is quite dramatic, by Kitugala it is getting hot and after four days in the cool of the hills our non-air conditioned vehicle is getting uncomfortable.At Yatiyantota we buy a picnic and turn off the A7 onto the B428 towards Bulatyopitya, just after the 3 kilometre post is a quiet stretch of river, which is perfect for a cooling swim. There is the usual litter (and a half-buried length of barbed wire) near the trees but the shore is clean and the water is clear. Towards the bridge it is deep enough to swim, the friendly locals show off their English and teach us to fish, fantastic.

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Unique Places in Sri Lanka

Top 3 Hotels in Sri Lanka

Mount Lavina Hotel  Colombo

 5 Reviews and 395 Opinions  This is the closest hotel you can experience the Beach as you come to Colombo. Good food, good rooms... 

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Earl's Regency Hotel Kandy  Kandy

 4 Reviews and 235 Opinions  Kandy Perahara Starts on Esala Full Moon Poya Day in July & finishes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on... 

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Palm Garden Village Hotel  Anuradhapura

 3 Reviews and 111 Opinions  The Palm Garden Village is like a colonial club, but one with a relaxed and freestyle-air. It was... 

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227 Hotels in Sri Lanka
 
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Off The Beaten Path: Cities in Sri Lanka
  1. Colombo Off The Beaten Path
  2. Kandy Off The Beaten Path
  3. Nuwara Eliya Off The Beaten Path
  4. Galle Off The Beaten Path
  5. Bentota Off The Beaten Path
  6. Unawatuna Off The Beaten Path
  7. Anuradhapura Off The Beaten Path
  8. Polonnaruwa Off The Beaten Path
  9. Dambulla Off The Beaten Path
  10. Beruwala Off The Beaten Path
  11. Jaffna Off The Beaten Path
  12. Mirissa South Off The Beaten Path
  13. Pinnawala Off The Beaten Path
  14. Hambantota Off The Beaten Path
  15. Haputale Off The Beaten Path
  16. Induruwa Off The Beaten Path

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Popular Regions in Sri Lanka

Western Province Off The Beaten Path  Southern Province Off The Beaten Path  Central Province Off The Beaten Path  North Central Province Off The Beaten Path  North Eastern Province Off The Beaten Path  Province of Uva Off The Beaten Path  Province of Sabaragamuwa Off The Beaten Path  North Western Province Off The Beaten Path 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka in the end of March for 3 weeks. I will go with my 6 yr old. Will take Medical precoushns bu... 

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A: Any special reasons why you want to stay in Colombo for 3 days. Everywhere in Sri Lanka is child friendly, but as you want to end up in Trinco (and spend part of your... 

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