26 December 2014. Sri Lanka was one of the countries struck by the tsunami. More than 30,000 people were killed and Sri Lanka’s southern coast was badly damaged. Tangalle was one of the beach town destroyed by the deadly tsunami more 10 years ago.

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

Udawalawe or Yala? 

This is pretty much the question everyone would ask themselves when trying to decide on which safari to go to. These national parks are both in the Southern Province, so many people find themselves torn between the two options when selecting on to go to. 

Those who have visited or planned to visit Sri Lanka are no stranger to Adam’s Peak, a 2,243 m tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. But no, today I’m going to talk about Little Adam’s Peak which is located 130km away in Ella. Stands at only 1,141m high, Little Adam’s Peak is nowhere near its more famous big brother whether in terms of height, difficulty or religious significance. In fact, Little Adam’s Peak is not a sacred religious site. 

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

The Nine Arches Bridge Built between Ella and Demodara stations, the Nine Arches Bridge is a viaduct bridge built in 1921, entirely of bricks, rocks and cement without a single piece of steel. It is one of the most iconic structure in Sri Lanka and perhaps the most photographed tourist destination. Locally known as “Ahas Namaye Palama” which means “nine skies bridge” in Sinhala, the name derives from the visual experience where one could look up from the bottom of the bridge and see the sky through the nine arches.

“Lipton”.

Perhaps the most recognisable name among all tea brands. Did you know that it all started in Sri Lanka?

In 1890, Sir Thomas Lipton saw an opportunity to market to tea to the masses instead of limiting it as something only the elite could afford. He bought miles upon miles of tea plantations in Sri Lanka, cut out middlemen, hired indentured Tamil workers from India, packaged and shipped them back to UK at low costs and sold his tea in packets with the advertising slogan: "Direct from the tea gardens to the teapot”. Selling his tea at a fraction of the price it had been, Lipton tea became an immediate success especially in the United States.

Only a few hours from Colombo, Nuwara Eliya sits in a hill country at 1868m, in eternal temperate winter, where the British once spent their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket. Mist-shrouded mountains and terraced tea plantations surround the town, with abundance of local brew for their enjoyment. With many of the British settles building their holiday bungalow in this “city of light” (that’s the meaning of Nuwara Eliya, by the way) during the British colonisation era, the town transform a “Little England” with a vague British-country-village feel to it.

They say, the best way to see Sri Lanka is by taking the train, and you know what? That’s definitely true. Train travel in Sri Lanka is a beautiful and very affordable way to travel around the country, and the most scenic train ride in Sri Lanka is none other than the train that journey between Kandy and Ella. This train ride is 7-8 hours long (fret not as you can break up the journey!) and takes you through stunning landscapes of lush tea plantation, mountain valleys, lovely bridges, waterfalls and small villages.

For other places of attractions in Sri Lanka, read my travel guide with sample itinerary and cost breakdown ➢ 12 Days Sri Lanka In Less Than RM2.2K - Visa Application, Sample Itinerary & Cost Breakdown

Kandy which its name often reminds me of candy, is the country’s second largest city after Colombo. The city is only about 3 hours away from Colombo and the train that departs from Kandy towards Ella is considered one of the most beautiful train ride in the world as it passes the lush tea plantation along the way. This makes Kandy the gateway to hill country.

Sigiriya is an attraction not to be missed while in Sri Lanka. However, a visit to the famous Lion Rock should take no more than 3-4 hours. With nothing else to do around Sigiriya, where else should travellers go for the day? Thankfully, 30 minutes away from Sigiriya in the city of Dambulla lies another UNESCO Heritage that you shouldn’t miss – Dambulla Cave Temple