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There are famous cultural and heritage centers in Sri Lanka well worth a visit. Sigiriya is a world famous rock fortress built by king Kashyapa. You can see the beauty of the fortress and all the paintings which makes it the eighth wonder of the world. You can also enjoy the frescoes and stone carvings that can be seen in Sigiriya. Kandy is a renowned historic city of Sri Lanka which is situated amidst the hills making it a picturesque location. The sacred tooth relic of Buddha is also seen in a temple built in the 15th century. You can see the most colorful pageant here every August. You can also see the famous drummers; dancers and musicians exhibit their traditional art forms in Kandy. The botanical garden, museum, elephant bathing scenes and Kandyan dancing are other major attractions of this city.

The first known kingdom of Sri Lanka built by king Anuradha is also famous for its cultural heritage and seeped in ancient history. Anuradhapura is famous for its architectural marvels, Mahabodhi, tanks and Dagabas. It is also famous for its irrigational network and farming community. It is declared as a world heritage city by UNESCO and one of the landmarks for Buddhism. If you are the type who loves art you ought to visit the ancient city of Polonaruwa. The Gal Vihara rock temple and ancient temple architecture is manifested in many of the sculptures and artifacts seen in this great city. Many traditional rituals undertaken by farming community can also be seen here. Dambulla is another place rich in cultural heritage where you can see beautiful wildlife including elephants and birds. Many cultural shows can also be seen here. Another manifestation of Sinhala art and architecture is the rock fortress of Yapahuwa built by king Buwanekhabahu on a huge granite rock that rises 100 m from the ground. Ritigala near Yapahuwa is famous for its monasteries.

Minneriya is another ancient city built alongside a tank by King Parakramabahu. It has a popular wildlife and games park.

Sri Lankan and South Indian menu finds its mention in all the menu cards in Sri Lankan hotels. Regional variations however are many and you can find many different varieties of prawns, cuttlefish, chicken etc. Curry, Pol sambar containing grated coconut, lime juice and chili powder is also famous in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans are also experts in preparing fish dishes. Mallung, Sampros, Buruyani, Pollos Pehi is some other popular dishes of Sri lanka. Juice sweetmeats like Kavum, Thalaguli are also worth a try.

The food is generally very cheap in Sri Lanka; a meal costs hardly a dollar. Rice and curry is the common food of Sri Lanka. You can get a cheap lunch in any of the many cafes or hotels in Sri Lanka. The curries which constitute many different varieties are popular in Sri Lanka. The basic items like chicken, beef, vegetables are cooked in rich coconut milk with other ingredients that gives the strong flavor to the curries of Sri Lanka. The curries are really hot and chefs make adjustments to suit foreign tastes. Kottu Roti a mixture of roti, meat and assorted vegetables is another delicacy in Sri Lanka. Kiri bath is a famous festive rice dish. Rice comes in several varieties in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan eat with their right hands, and you can also get cutleries everywhere if you cannot eat this way. 5 star hotels and upscale restaurants are many in Sri Lanka which offers local and international cuisine.

Tea is a popular drink in Sri lanka as it is one of the world’s largest producers of tea. Thambli or the juice of yellow coconuts are famous and sold on the streets in Sri Lanka. This is more nutritive, hygienic and cheaper than bottled drinks available here. Soft drinks are available aplenty and you can try interesting combinations like ginger beer and cream soda. Lion Lager is the most common local beer. Other popular drinks include Lion Stout, Three coins etc. Arrack is the traditional spirit taken with ginger beer. Quality of the drinks would vary with the prices you can afford to pay.