Pearl of Asia

Asia’s most beautiful railway line? The “Main Line” cuts through tea plantations and jungle, then passes Buddhist temples and relicts of the British Empire.  In the 19th century the British built a railway in what was then their colony of Ceylon. Their idea was to transport goods such as tea from the highlands to the port of Colombo. Today it’s mainly only locals and tourists who use the so-called "Main Line." The route is considered one of the most picturesque in the whole of Asia. Our trip takes us from the capital, Colombo, to Ella in the highlands. Our first stop is one of the country’s largest elephant orphanages. And then on to Kandy, the former capital of the Singhalese kingdom. The city is home to the famous Temple of the Tooth, which is said to house the Buddha’s top left canine. The train then winds its way further up into the highlands. We watch tea pickers at work and go to a tea factory to discover where the aroma comes from. Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka’s highest t

Most Beautiful Spots in Sri Lank a SIGIRIYA Ruins Also known as Lion’s Rock, Sigiriya is a rock fortress and palace situated in the Matale district. Visitors can climb up to the ancient ruins, which are surrounded by gardens, ponds, and magnificent frescoes. The  UNESCO World Heritage Site  is one of the best ancient sites in the country. Head to the top of Sigiriya to see wonderful, dramatic views of the rolling hills in the jungle below. MORE INFO ADAM’S PEAK Natural Feature Located in a diverse biological site, Adam’s Peak is a tall, pointed mountain in central Sri Lanka. The 2,243-meter ascent is a common pilgrimage route in the Buddhist religion, as it is said there is an impression of Buddha’s own footprint near the summit. Aim to arrive at the top of the mountain around dawn to see an unforgettable sunrise. MORE INFO Galle Visit the well-preserved colonial city  Galle  for a relaxing city break. The town is full of charming Dutch-era villas and de

11 Reasons Why We Love Sri Lanka's People Their head wobble As soon as you get to Sri Lanka, you will notice that when people greet you, they wobble their head. When you ask them something, they wobble their head. Most of the time, they are also smiling while wobbling. This Sri Lankan personality trait is very common. Their religious diversity There are four official religions in Sri Lanka and every single one of them is celebrated in its own right. Hinduist, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian holidays are all public holidays. Christmas, for example, is celebrated by everyone! Smiling from the train  Their smile Sri Lankans are laid back and easy on the smiles. It’s true that sometimes they smile because they aren’t understanding what you’re saying but that’s okay too. Better than scowling, right? This can be annoying to some but amusing to most. Their generosity Sri Lanka is the eighth most generous country in the world, according to the CAF World Giving

British Ceylon (1796–1900) The story of Britain's acquisition of Ceylon, one of the strangest in the history of imperial expansion is a classic example of how intrigue can be at times more effective than force in achieving a national objective. Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1795 was in the hands of the Dutch, who had ruled it for about 15O years since throwing out the island's first European masters, the Portuguese. Britain, at war with the French, who had seized Holland and might at any time seize Dutch overseas possessions, realized that the island - particularly its grand harbour of Trincomalee in which an entire fleet could ride safely at anchor was vital to the protection of the sea routes to Bengal, the Orient and the Pacific. To conquer Ceylon could be a costly and bloody business. The Dutch Governor at Colombo had a strong garrison of Swiss mercenary soldiers with which to defend it. The British therefore decided to employ an agent, a 34-year-old Scotsman named Hug