The park, which centres on the 308.2-sq-km Uda Walawe Reservoir, is lightly vegetated, but it has a stark beauty, and the lack of dense vegetation makes game watching easy.Įlephants are Uda Walawe's key attraction, with around 600 in the park in herds of up to 50.
In fact, for elephant watching, Uda Walawe often surpasses many of the most famous East African national parks. With herds of elephants, wild buffalos, sambars and spotted deer, and giant squirrels, this Sri Lankan national park is one of the nation's finest. The fourth Buddha in the small rock cavity is smaller and of inferior quality. The carvings make superb use of the natural marbling in the rock. The seated Buddha on the far left has four further Buddhas depicted in the torana (ornamental gateway) above, making this a probable depiction of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. The detail here is amazing, notably the subtle depression in the pillow under the head, and the lotus symbols both on the pillow end and on the soles of Buddha's feet. The reclining Buddha depicted entering parinirvana (nirvana-after-death) is 14m long. The fact that it had its own separate enclosure, along with the discovery of other images with the same arm position, has discredited this theory and it is now accepted that all the images are of the Buddha. The unusual crossed position of the arms and sorrowful facial expression led to the theory that it was an image of the Buddha’s disciple Ananda, grieving for his master’s departure for nirvana, since the reclining image is next to it. The standing Buddha is 7m tall and is said to be the finest of the series. At one time, each was enshrined within a separate enclosure. The giant reclining Buddha statue will be familiar to many travellers, having graced the cover of numerous travel guides to the country (and even more Instagram feeds!), but the complex is actually home to four separate Buddha images, all cut from one long slab of granite. Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. And you're always just a short hop from something utterly new. Should you beat the inevitable languor, you can surf and dive world-class sites without world-class crowds.
Dazzlingly white and often untrodden, they ring the island so that no matter where you go, you’ll be near a sandy gem. Verdant tea plantations and rainforested peaks beckon walkers, trekkers and those who just want to see them from a spectacular train ride.Īnd then there are the beaches. When you’re ready to escape the tropical climate of the coast and lowlands, head for the hills, with their temperate, achingly green charms. Sri Lanka is spectacular, affordable and still often uncrowded. Wander past colonial architecture in Colombo, then hit some epic surf. Discover a favourite beach, meditate in a 2000-year-old temple, exchange smiles while strolling a mellow village, marvel at birds and wildflowers, try to keep count of the little dishes that come with your rice and curry. It’s So Easyĭistances are short: see the sacred home of the world’s oldest living human-planted tree in the morning (Anuradhapura) and stand awestruck by the sight of hundreds of elephants gathering in the afternoon (Minneriya). Safari tours of Sri Lanka’s pleasantly relaxed national parks encounter leopards, water buffaloes, all manner of birds and a passel of primates. More recent are colonial fortresses, from Galle to Trincomalee.Īcross the island, that thing that goes bump in the night might be an elephant heading to a favorite waterhole. Sri Lanka's 2000-plus years of culture can be discovered at ancient sites where legendary temples boast beautiful details even as they shelter in caves or perch on prominent peaks.
So Much in So Littleįew places have as many Unesco World Heritage Sites (eight) packed into such a small area. It's the place you haven't been to yet, that you should.
Lying between the more trodden parts of India and Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka's history, culture and natural beauty are undeniably alluring. The country is moving forward quickly as more and more people discover its myriad charms. Scores of travelers have passed overhead on their way to someplace else, but years of uncertainty kept Sri Lanka off many itineraries. You might say Sri Lanka has been hiding in plain sight. Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavorful food make Sri Lanka irresistible.
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