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The 5 must-sees in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island in the heart of the Indian Ocean, particularly renowned for its tea and spice production. But it's also a top destination in Asia, and the many tourists who visit every year have made no mistake. Dreaming of visiting Sri Lanka? Then let yourself be tempted! Here are the top 5 things to see and do in Sri Lanka.

Preparing your trip

Travelling to Sri Lanka is not something you can do on a whim. You need to plan your trip carefully. That starts with booking your plane tickets as early as possible. This allows you to leave on the exact date you want and take advantage of attractive fares and promotions. 

To travel to Sri Lanka, you need a valid passport and an electronic visa application. All you have to do is fill in a form and pay online. You will then receive the document by e-mail. Sri Lanka is yours!

The Temple of the Tooth of the Sacred City of Kandy

Kandy is one of Sri Lanka's most famous cities, not least because of its Temple of the Tooth. This temple is said to house one of Buddha's teeth, hence its sacred nature. It is an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhist Sri Lankans. 

The historic city of Polonnaruwa

The former capital of the Ceylon kingdom, Polonnaruwa is home to vestiges of the past such as the Gal Vihariya, 3 gigantic statues representing the seated, standing and reclining Buddha. What's special about these statues? They are carved right out of the rock! If you're going to Sri Lanka, you absolutely must visit Polonnaruwa! 

The Lion Rock or Sigirîya

If you are passing through Dambulla, you must stop off at the famous Lion's Rock or Sigirîya. This monolith is over 200 metres high and can be climbed up some 600 steps. At the top are the remains of a temple and an ancient fortress, but above all you can enjoy an unforgettable panorama!

The Golden Temple in the town of Dambulla

Dambulla is also renowned for its many attractions, both cultural and historical. The town's Golden Temple has even been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. On your way there, you'll have the chance to explore the network of caves that have been transformed into temples housing numerous Buddha statues. One of them, carved out of the rock, is over 15 metres long!

The Sinharâja forest reserve

Sri Lanka is also renowned for its forests and nature reserves, such as Sinharâja. This reserve is home to several varieties of tree that can't be seen anywhere else. What's more, the reserve is also the natural habitat of certain Sri Lankan birds, never seen anywhere else in the world! The Sinharâja Forest Reserve has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Just the thing for a breath of fresh air! 

Of course, the list is not exhaustive and there are many other things to discover in Sri Lanka.