Better known for its beaches, the unique attractions of the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean just 27kms off the South Coast of India, however, are located in the interior. Within the Cultural Triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka are the 2000 year old historic ancient cities of Anuradhapura, the famous Sigiriya rock fortress with the rock frescos, the rock temple caves at Dambulla, the ancient capital of  Polonnaruwa, the ancient monastry at Ritigale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at Mihintale and other world heritage listed archaeological sites. The cultural capital of Sri Lanka in Kandy, which was the last Royal Kingdom to resist the British, is also the location of the world famous Temple of the Tooth Relic as well as less well know but equally fascinating temples, covered in our section on "Undiscovered Lanka".

The ancient wonders of the cultural triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka lie only 179 Kms and a mere 4 hours drive from the west coast and Colombo International Airport. The triangle is bounded to the North by Anuradhapura and Mihintale and to the South East by Polonnaruwa with Sigiriya and Dambulla in the middle of the triangle. Kandy and Matale Vihara are to the South