Why Sri Lanka?

Below is a summary of my trip to Sri Lanka from February 16th to 27th, 2025. Why Sri Lanka? Visa-free entry was my top priority when choosing a travel destination after the pandemic, and Sri Lanka offered just that. Online reviews of Sri Lanka are polarized, with roughly half praising it and half finding it underwhelming. Years ago, an article titled "Chinese Tourists, You Look Stupid Being Fooled by Travel Guides" criticized the disparity between the reality of traveling in Sri Lanka and what's portrayed in guides. This intrigued me. I've traveled to both developed and developing countries, and I've never found a single one uninteresting! Given the divided opinions, I decided to carefully plan our Sri Lanka trip to ensure it was visually appealing, fun, delicious, and comfortable. In my opinion, Sri Lanka doesn't have top-tier natural scenery, world-class cultural attractions, or wildlife comparable to Africa. Its beaches, in terms of water quality, aren't even up to par. However, it's still just as enjoyable as any other country! As long as you know what kind of trip you want, traveling anywhere in the world can be fun. The Earth's mountains, rivers, lakes, bays, glaciers, grasslands, deserts, and animals are incredibly diverse, and human cultures vary immensely. With so much novelty and the unknown to explore, how can it not be fun if you have enough curiosity?! Sri Lanka is a classic example of "small but mighty." While it may not excel in any single area, its diverse offerings combine to create a rich and colorful travel experience. Of course, this depends on individual choices. When travel revolves around interests rather than just attractions, and you're flexible and willing to let go of certain sights or activities, even a country like Sri Lanka, which doesn't seem to stand out in any particular aspect, can be a fantastic place to explore. My interests: ancient ruins with a sense of history and beauty, beautiful accommodations immersed in nature, artistic spots (cafes, accommodations, attractions), and novel and fun activities (the more primitive, the better). My companion Lao Dong's interests: experiencing the vibrancy of local markets and enjoying Sri Lankan crabs and various seafood. My female companion's interests: enjoying high-quality and elegant services, including hotels, breakfasts, beautiful shops, and taking beautiful photos. Therefore, I chose the following: **Ancient ruins with a sense of history and beauty:** Yapahuwa Rock, Polonnaruwa Ancient City, and Sigiriya Rock, all World Heritage sites. The first two are, in my opinion, the most beautiful ancient sites in Sri Lanka, while the latter is a national symbol. **Beautiful accommodations immersed in nature:** Heritance Kandalama **Artistic spots:** luxury guesthouses and cafes in Ahangama, the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella, and the train journey along the coast from Colombo. **Novel and fun experiences and activities:** semi-outdoor accommodation at a banyan tree campsite, birdwatching on a lake safari, floating dinner on the lake and stargazing – a unique and primitive accommodation experience. We saw thirty or forty Sri Lankan elephants on safari at Hurulu Eco Park. I tried surfing for the first time in Ahangama and wore a sari for the first time at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. **Markets:** Negombo Fish Market and Galle Fish Market for buying crabs, prawns, and fish. **Food:** Crab curry at a famous restaurant in Colombo, seafood restaurants in Galle Fort, and cooking Chinese food with Sri Lankan crabs at our guesthouse. Thanks to the top-quality seafood, the food aspect of our Sri Lanka trip was satisfying. This trip also had its share of exciting stories. My companion drove a right-hand drive car for the first time and needed to adjust. On the second day, he bumped into a car's headlight and paid a small amount to settle the matter. On the fourth day, our parked car occupied a tuk-tuk's parking space, and our tires were deflated. Later, we met a super-friendly car repair shop owner who helped us realize it was a false alarm. On the last day, we had a minor collision with a tuk-tuk by the sea and, after some bargaining, paid a small amount to resolve the issue. Driving here requires the skills of a Chongqing taxi driver from the past to navigate the chaotic traffic. We arrived at a manor-like guesthouse on the first night in darkness, and it felt a bit eerie. However, the warm and attentive service from the housekeeper the next day completely changed our impression. This 180-degree turnaround is an experience I'll likely remember clearly even ten years from now. Sri Lankans aren't as innocent as they're sometimes portrayed, and some can even appear intimidating. I suspect this is due to the country's financial collapse and hardship during the pandemic. Poverty has led to an increase in scams targeting foreign tourists. But looking back, their wrongdoings were minor. The majority of the people in this country are friendly, smiling, and enjoy taking photos, leaving a lasting positive impression on me.