Six of these marvels span some 2,500 years of history – from the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the cave temples of Dambulla, to the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy. The Dutch fortification at Galle has the added distinction of being a living World Heritage Site.

But the seventh jewel in Sri Lanka’s heritage crown owes nothing to man and everything to nature: the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot, with its own unique eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna. The country’s former royal capital, Kandy, the archaeological sites at Polonnaruw, Sigiriya – the palace in the sky – form Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle – a world of ancient wonders.

Spiritually inspiring, year after year, visitors from around the world make their personal pilgrimages to the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.