Exploring the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's cultural triangle holds a wealth of archaeological heritage sites which are over 2500 years old. Situated in the centre of the island, the sacred cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy are frequently visited by many local pilgrims, both laymen and the clergy (mostly Buddhist) and tourists from all around the world. Being accorded as an UNESCO World Heritage Cultural status, it is treated with deep respect and high value since it has such a deep history dating back to thousands of years.

Sri Lanka is a strongly fervent Buddhist country where a living ancient Buddhist culture can be discovered; what is fascinating is that these age-old and revered temples are still places of devout religious worship and not just monuments. The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is a treasure-house of the island’s finest ancient monuments, which encapsulate one of the world’s most extraordinary collections of Buddhist art and architecture. Within the cultural triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka are the sacred monuments of Anuradhapura, the renowned Sigiriya rock fortress, the rock temple caves at Dambulla, the ancient capital of Polonnaruwa, the medieval monastery at Ritigala, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at Mihintale and other world heritage archaeological sites.

The cultural capital of Sri Lanka – Kandy famously known as the location of the ‘Temple of the Tooth Relic’ was the last kingdom to repel the British invaders. The plains north of Kandy were once the heartlands of an ancient Sri Lankan civilisation and the vestiges of the great cities which once thrived here are astonishing. Today, most of these monoliths stand silent emanating the glory of days gone by.

The age-old wonders of the cultural triangle in the heart of Sri Lanka lie only 179 km and a simple 4 hour drive from the west coast and Colombo International Airport. The best times to visit these awe-inspiring monuments is either early morning or late evening, when the sun dawns or sets upon them highlighting these medieval wonders of Sri Lanka. Rent a Car services are available at nominal rates for all tourists who are curious to explore this wonderful cultural triangle in Sri Lanka. Kings Rent a Car Colombo is renowned for their excellent services which include self-drive vehicle rentals as well as chauffeur-driven vehicle rentals and attractive rates to show tourists the most extraordinary sights of this region while promising a memorable experience.

City Tours in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city on the Western coast with a rich colonial heritage is an assortment of races, religions and cultures. The city of Colombo is an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience with lovely homes, lush gardens, fine dining options and shopping malls. Despite its small size of just 37.31 square kilometres, Colombo offers a varying selection of experiences ranging from taking a ride in a three-wheeler, a visit to Pettah market and eating kottu to playing a round of golf and having high tea at one of the colonial style hotels overlooking the Indian Ocean. With many boutiques filled with international brands and local art and fabrics, Colombo is the best place to go shopping; sleek department stores and cool shopping malls are filled with designer clothing, shoes and handbags, plus handicrafts, home furnishings and more.

Colombo offers many other varied places of interest such as the Royal Colombo Golf Club; surrounded by residential areas and business establishments, it is a sanctuary situated in the heart of the city. It is an exquisite and tranquil environment to relax, unwind and tee off. One could visit the Gangarama Vihara, one of the most venerable temples in the country, decorated with wonderful brass work, stone carvings, and other Buddhist art. A visit to the Colombo national museum is almost a necessity as it is Sri Lanka’s most prestigious, oldest and largest museum, housing a vast collection of antiques and many other artefacts from around the country. Or dine on Mount Lavinia beach, which is one of Colombo’s more laidback suburbs, filled with great seafood restaurants on the golden beach and is named after Lovina, the gypsy dancing girl who had a secret romance with one of Sri Lanka’s governors. Visit the Dehiwala Zoological Garden with its beautifully landscaped 30 acres in which a rich collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes live in harmony with Nature.

On a more exciting note, one could also experience the nightlife that is up for grabs in Sri Lanka. Rent a Car services around Colombo allow tourists to explore its buzzing nightlife. Kings Rent a Car Colombo offers their clients competitive rates which can lend a hand in adding flavour and excitement to the touristic experience that the city of Colombo has to offer.