sri lankan elephantsAre you a fan of ancient monuments, rolling hills, dense jungle, and breathtaking lagoons? If not, you should be. If so, consider Sri Lanka for your next travel destination, where you can visit the ancient city of Sigiriya, which has been referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.

Sri Lanka, a nation surrounded by glittering ocean, is one of Asia’s most charming features. The biodiverse area beckons divers, nautical history buffs, and dry-land adventurers. The country is home to as many as 13 species of whales, including false killer whales and blue whales, as well as eight types of Dolphins –making it an ideal location for diving and snorkeling. Additionally, there’s a lush variety of exotic sea creatures, tropical fish, and coral reefs.

Seasoned divers are able to bear witness to shipwrecks seated on the ocean floor; these are ships to succumb to Sri Lanka’s shifting waters over the years. Fascinating creatures of the deep worthy of observation populate those areas, which witnessed more than 200 wrecks.

The Sigiriya Rock, located within the ancient city of Sigiriya, is made of the magma of an extinct volcano, and it’s encircled by miles of lush jungle. The remains of a centuries-old palace reside near the rock, dating back to the 8th century. Also, the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, with ruins dating back to 380 BC is a great attraction to tourists. It was a monastery-laden sacred site for Buddhists.

Below, learn a bit four great sights in Sri Lanka:

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa): Located in the royal palace complex once known as Kingdom of Kandy, the Buddhist temple is home to the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The relic has played an important role in local politics since ancient times; in fact, it’s believed that whoever possesses the relic holds governance of the country. The temple and its associated buildings and structures sustained bomb damages in 1998, but it’s been fully restored.

Kitulgala: A small town in the west of Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is located in a wet zone rain forest. Known as one of the wettest places in the country, the area comes alive with life and lush scenery during the first three months of the year, particularly February. Kitulgala is a great place for white water rafting and it has elusive and unique forestry and agriculture.

Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak: Sri Pada, which means ‘sacred footprint’ is a rock formation near the summit. The mountain is located in the southern Central Highlands. The region along the mountain is a wildlife reserve that is a habitat for numerous endemic species.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage: Pinnawala is an incredible orphanage, nursery, and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. The village is located northeast of Kegalle town. Visitors are able to watch the lovely elephants frolic and play and participate in animal care. The orphanage was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC).