Sri Lanka is a popular vacation destination for those who wish to travel to behold natural wonders as well as experience foreign cultures. There are many wondrous places to visit in this paradise island ranging from turquoise oceans to misty mountains. To witness all the picturesque surroundings as well as visit the more prominent locations while saving surface travel time, one can indulge in an adventurous sightseeing excursion by flying over the island using a reputed domestic flight such as the Cinnamon Air. This in-land flight will be an unforgettable experience as a result of the unique opportunity to witness attractions surrounding the ocean area and all the way to the hill country from a bird’s eye view.
Among the many culturally significant places to visit in Sri Lanka, to experience the influence of its early kingdoms, one must travel to Kandy, a former royal kingdom in Sri Lanka and a celebrated cultural city that is counted amongst the world heritage sites of UNESCO.
Nestled amidst sloping tea plantations, Kandy boasts a number of cultural attractions such as the revered Temple of Tooth which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha and the Old Royal Palace. The Old Royal Palace is a beautiful ruin that still attests to the magnificence of the palace in its former glory with visible outlines of the queen’s chambers and royal armory. Many artifacts and remnants of both the royals as well as common folk that survived the tests of time are displayed in the national museum in Kandy which was built over the old Tooth Palace.
During the months of July or August one can observe the Esala Perehara, a ceremonial parade with traditional dancers, drummers and flag bearers by which the casket that once carried the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is taken through the city.
For avid shoppers, the streets of Kandy city offers an exciting array of shopping opportunities with quaint boutiques showcasing products ranging from jewelry and precious stones, to handmade laces, clothes and wooden statues.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
