This Historic and Romantic hill capital of Sri Lanka is situated 115 kilometers inland from Colombo. The road to Kandy is enchanting and exciting revealing the full glory- of the tropics. Everything is in the most effulgent luxuriance, throbbing with silver and green. The roads run round in sharp curves and looking down are the deep valleys, abysses, rocks, waterfalls and streams glittering in the sun and patterned in emerald with terraced rice fields. On the other side the mountains rise majestically against the blue sky. Whether one looks u or down, it's a sight of beauty, glorious beyond the power of words to express. The city of Kandy, lies in a triangular valley surrounded by mountains. The great rock caves of Dambulla are 100 to 150 meters above the road and the village of Dambulla. From the caves you have superb view over the surrounding countryside; Sigiriya is clearly visible to the northeast, only 19 km away.
This cultural site will delight nature lovers who want to escape the main tourist haunts. The Ritigala Buddhist Monastery nestles deep inside the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, found just off the Anuradhapura-Habarana road, and is the partially excavated ruins of an extensive Buddhist Monastery. It was abandoned following invasions in 10th and 11th centuries and today holds special appeal with its curious blend of nano-safari and archaeology. Walking up wooded slopes, and almost stumbling across the beautiful ruins does give you a feeling of adventures in search of mythical pasts; it is easy to imagine yourself as Indiana Jones whilst clambering over the overgrown relics of a forgotten time. A great way to spend an hour or two
Anuradapura. Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. is situated by 01 hour drive from Sigirya. Attractions worth seeing are:- The Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace, Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati Dagaba. It was royal capital for more than 100 Sri Lankan kings and at its heights was home to thousands of monks from dozens of monasteries. Originally founded by a minister called Anuradha, in the 4th century BC, it became the capital of Sri Lanka two centuries later. Mihintale lies 13kms east of Anuradhapura and is where Buddhism originated on the island. In 247 BC King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura, was deer hunting on the plains beneath Mihintale, and met Mahinda, son of the Indian Buddhist emperor, and chose the path of Buddhism for the Sinhalese nation following Mahinda's persuasion.