Sri Lanka is full of national parks, ancient temples, and tropical beauty. It’s not far from the coast of India and the island country is known to be friendly and welcoming to incoming tourists. With a history dating back centuries, Sri Lanka is overflowing with cultural gems to explore and visit. For travelers seeking to connect with nature while experiencing a new destination, Sri Lanka offers abundant things to see, do, and feel all around you. Here are a few ways to experience authentic Sri Lankan culture the next time you visit the island.

Visit A Tea Factory

tea cup being filled — Photo credit: MYKOLA OSMACHKO

Sri Lanka remains a hotspot for some of the best tea in the world. It’s one of the big three producers of tea worldwide and travelers can visit tea plantations and factories when on the island. Some of the largest tea plantations in Sri Lanka are found in the Southern Hill Country. Plantations like the Pedro Tea Estate, Uva Halpewatte factory, and Ella all offer tours to tourists looking to gain more insight into the cultivation and production of tea in Sri Lanka.

Explore The Sacred Dambulla Cave Network

temple in Dambulla — Photo credit: Agnieszka Stankiewicz

A famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dambulla cave network is more than 2000 years old. The temple is built into limestone, cave walls, and is still used for Buddhist religious practices today. Travelers should expect a ten-minute, uphill hike before reaching the cave temple entrance. It’s 10 dollars to explore the temple and usually takes about two hours to get the full experience. Many people confuse the Dambulla Cave Temple with the Rock Temple. However, both are worth visiting when in Sri Lanka.

Climb Lion Rock

Lion Rock at Sigiriya — Photo credit: Ákos Helgert

Located in the Matale region near Sigiriya, Lion Rock is the most photographed place in Sri Lanka. The massive, 600-foot-tall rock is home to ancient ruins of a Sri Lankan palace. Perhaps one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island, Lion Rock is surrounded by water gardens, frescoes, and remnants of past royalty. The relics around the rock are thousands of years old and a reminder of Sri Lanka’s ancient history.

See The Birds At Sigiriya

Sigiriya in Sri Lanka is home to an array of wildlife and animal species. However, many travelers come here to experience the majesty of the wild birds who call the island home. Bird-watching travelers will love the sights of the birds at Sigiriya. Species like the Crimson-Backed Flameback Woodpecker, Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl, and the Sri Lankan Swallow live in the area along with six other endemic species. To see the birds up close and personal, travelers should grab tickets to explore the Sigiriya Bird Sanctuary.

Wander The Old Town Of Galle

Galle in Sri Lanka — Photo credit: Charith Kodagoda

Travelers should head over to the Galle for a dose of old-world Sri Lankan culture. This small, colonial destination is one of the heartbeats of Sri Lankan culture. There’s much to see and do here including tasting the local fare, playing a game of cricket, and boutiques to grab unique goodies to take back home. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some say the best way to journey through Galle is on a bike tour. However you experience the town, Galle is a gem of Sri Lankan culture and worth the visit.