DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Sri Lanka (Travel Guide)

First edition 2014

Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited,
80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL

Published in the United States by DK Publishing,
1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, NY 10018

Copyright 2014, 2020 Dorling Kindersley Limited
A Penguin Random House Company

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN: 9780241411339

eISBN: 9780744028782

www.dk.com

INSPIRE / PLAN / DISCOVER / EXPERIENCE

Experience

Colombo

The West Coast

The South

Kandy and the Hill Country

The Cultural Triangle

The East

Jaffna and the North

Need to Know

Before You Go

Getting Around

Practical Information

KEY TO MAIN ICONS

PRICE GUIDE

KEY TO MAPS

Phrase Book

Acknowledgments

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key to main icons

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price guide

Throughout the guide the following price categories have been applied:

] ]] On a budget
]] ] Mid-range
]]] Splurge

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key to maps

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t An aerial view over Weligama Bay

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t Jaffnas Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Temple

This teardrop-shaped islands many attractions belie its diminutive size. Get ready to discover world-class wildlife, stunning landscapes, time-warped colonial streets and some of the ancient worlds most majestic monuments. Whatever your dream trip to Sri Lanka includes, this DK Eyewitness travel guide is the perfect companion.

Fringed by idyllic sandy beaches, lapped by the warm waves of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankas interior is an ever-changing picture. Tangled lowland rainforests in the southwestern wet zone give way to the souths endless dry plains, where elephants roam and Yalas famous leopards lounge in trees. Moving further inland, the Hill Country at the heart of the island is corduroyed with tea plantations, backed by misty cloud forests and rugged mountains.

The islands urban environments are similarly diverse. The capital, Colombo, serves up a helter-skelter mix of chaotic bazaars, contemporary chic and colonial grandeur. Further glimpses of Ceylon can be seen in the perfectly preserved Dutch fort at Galle and whimsical Nuwara Eliya, known as Little England. If Colombos foodie scene encompasses crunchy hoppers, steaming samosas and comforting curries, Nuwara Eliyas is all about afternoon tea. Kandy, meanwhile, is firmly rooted in Sri Lankas Sinhalese heritage, with its gold-roofed Temple of the Tooth and traditional dancing, complete with elaborate costumes, gyrating moves and fire stunts.

With so many different things to discover and experience, its hard to know where to start. Weve broken the island down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether youre staying for a week or longer, this DK Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best that Sri Lanka has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Sri Lanka.

A train crossing Demodara Bridge, near Ella.

Relaxing by the water in Colombos Fort.

The turquoise waters off Unawatunas beach.

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There are so many reasons that Sri Lanka is called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, from steaming cups of tea and heaped bowls of curry to hallowed temples and sacred mountains. Here, we pick some of our favourites.

t Set among beautiful green hills, the islands cultural capital is home to the famous Temple of the Tooth, one of the worlds holiest Buddhist shrines (see ).

DISCOVER Reasons to Love Sri Lanka

t Take advantage of Sri Lankas British-era railway network (see ). The line that snakes and rattles through the verdant tea terraces of the Hill Country is Asias greatest train journey.

DISCOVER Reasons to Love Sri Lanka

t Perhaps unsurprisingly, this island offers a whole host of . Try your hand at surfing at Arugam Bay, kitesurfing at Kalpitiya or water-skiing at Bentota.