The Atlas Obscura Guide To Sri Lanka

39 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Sri Lanka

Updated August 23, 2023

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Cities

Unusual Attractions in Sri Lanka

Sigiriya

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Sigiriya

An ancient stone fortress considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world.

Elephants within the park.

Udawalawa, Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park

Huge herds of Asian elephants can be seen walking, bathing, and just chilling at this Sri Lankan park.

The fanciful Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque dates from 1909

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (Red Mosque)

This mesmerizing architectural wonder will take your breath away with its unusual color patterns.

It get's busy at the top of Adam's Peak. Creative Commons by dompling

Rochor, Sri Lanka

Adam's Peak

Once thought to be the Garden of Eden it holds a holy footprint claimed to belong to Adam, Buddha and Shiva.

Blacktip reef shark, the species of shark found on shark reef (photo taken in the Maldives)

Sri Lanka

Shark Point Reef

One of the few places where inexperienced snorkelers can spot a shark.

Brief Garden.

Kirantidiya, Sri Lanka

Brief Garden

This luscious masterpiece created by landscape designer Bevis Bawa inspired the work of his brother, a famous Sri Lankan architect.

Helga's Folly

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Helga's Folly

A Bohemian "anti-hotel" offers off-kilter stays in Sri Lanka.

Intercity train with observation car at the rear.

Nanuoya, Sri Lanka

The Main Line

Known as the most scenic route in Sri Lanka, this train line is steeped in history and offers an unparalleled view of the country.

See All 39 Things To Do in Sri Lanka

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Mackwoods Tea Plantation Sign

A Sri Lankan tea factory's ironic take on the Los Angeles landmark.

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Buddhism 10

Temples 8

Sacred Spaces 6

Statues 4

Geology 4

Plants 4

Religion 4

Places To Stay 2

Sri Lanka Leaderboard

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Recent Sri Lanka Activity

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has been to Mackwoods Tea Plantation Sign
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has been to Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (Red Mosque)
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has been to Adam's Bridge
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has been to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
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Stories About Sri Lanka

Rama’s Bridge between India and Sri Lanka figures in ancient myths, and can be seen from space, in this case captured from the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994.

Sea Cucumber Crime Is a Thing, and This Is Where It’s Happening

A "seafood mafia" is plying the waters between India and Sri Lanka to satisfy China's appetite for an increasingly rare delicacy.

by Frank Jacobs, Big Think

A Hindu priest holds a lit coconut oil lamp in front of statues of Prince Vijaya (left) and Kuweni (right) at the Sri Subramaniam temple in the southern Sri Lankan town of Matara.

How This Demon Dance Banishes Illnesses in Sri Lanka's Remote Jungles

The kankariya dance all started with a legendary demon queen named Kuweni.

by Zinara Rathnayake

For Sri Lankans, the sound of Beethoven means baked goods.

The Resilience of Sri Lanka's Musical, Mobile Bakeries

Faced with stiff competition and a strained economy, these Beethoven-blasting bread trucks fight to stay afloat.

by Imogen Sewell

A Sri Lankan Navy soldier walks amid the debris washed ashore from the container ship MV X-Press Pearl in May 2021.

What It Takes to Clean Up a Massive Nurdle Spill

Following a maritime disaster, Sri Lankans are cleaning their beaches, nurdle by nurdle.

by Zinara Rathnayake

Angampora combat includes many jumping maneuvers.

Capturing Sri Lanka’s Ancient, Almost Lost Martial Art

Photographer Reza Akram spent seven years documenting angampora, an indigenous fighting style banned by British colonizers.

by Zinara Rathnayake

Two women create a fabric-pulp sheet.

How Elephant Poop Becomes Fancy Paper in Sri Lanka

An elephant can defecate 16 times in one day—and its 200 pounds of dung can double as paper pulp.

by Zinara Rathnayake

November 8, 2019

The jungle highlands of Sri Lanka, where humans settled at least 45,000 years ago.

Eurasia's Oldest Tiny Tools Were Essential for Living in the Rain Forest

And perfectly sized for small, Sri Lankan jungle prey.

by Isaac Schultz

October 4, 2019

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