▲Also referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, this is the most expansive and best-preserved cave complex in the country, and contains over 150 Buddha statues. Its walls are illustrated with ornate murals. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Sadly, many of the stilt fishermen you see today are posing for the camera rather than trying to catch a living. For an authentic picture, head to little-known Polhenna Beach, near the town of Matara.

▲A large seated Buddha at the Gal Vihara rock temple. The statues are regarded as some of the finest examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts.

▲The highlight of the monastery site of Abhayagiri vihāra is an ancient stupa, the extraordinary hump-shaped Abhayagiri Dagoba (pictured).

▲Clinging to a massive natural rock 205 m (672 ft) above the ground is this impressive monastery, home to a large collection of paintings and sculptures.

▲The park is one of the best places in the world to see wild elephants.

▲A vast expanse of grasslands and bush forest, the park is also home to numerous other mammal species. It's also an excellent bird-watching site.

▲A regional fishing port, Tangalle is also a center of tourism and is known for its pristine sandy beaches, rolling surf, and great water sport options.

▲Indian, Dutch, and Indonesian influences have helped flavor Sri Lankan cuisine. Expect rice, coconut, and spices in most foods, exemplified by dishes such as sour fish curry (pictured).

▲Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient rock fortress is a giant citadel built by King Kashyapa during the 5th century.

▲Located in Kandy's royal temple complex is the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲The New Kathiresan Temple in Colombo is distinguished by a colorful and highly ornate Gopuram, or monumental gatehouse tower.

▲Set in the middle of Sri Lanka's commercial capital city is Beira Lake. Created by the Portuguese in the 16th century originally as a defensive measure, the lake today provides citizens with water sport opportunities, and is home to a variety of wildlife.

▲At 240 m (787 ft), the Bambarakanda Falls is the tallest waterfall in Sri Lanka.

▲The vibrant town of Unawatuna is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Its beautiful crescent-shaped beach is just one of the reasons why.

▲Fancy a cup of tea? Why not tour one of Sri Lanka's many tea plantations. Tour the neatly combed terraces, watch pickers at work, and purchase your own samples to take home.

▲Visit the extreme southernmost tip of the country between January and April and you'll have a good chance of spotting migrating whales, including the biggest of them all, the blue whale.

▲Besides a bewildering choice of delicious curries, Sri Lanka is known for a variety of kottu dishes, and snacks like hopper, which are dough-based.

▲The king demonstrated an artistic streak by having the sides of the rock decorated with colorful frescoes. The identity of the ladies depicted in the paintings is not known.

▲As a multicultural society with a fascinating ancient history, Sri Lanka celebrates an extraordinary variety of festivals, ceremonies, and events.

▲Celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of May, Vesak is a religious and cultural festival celebrated by Buddhists around the world. In Colombo, the festivities are particularly vibrant and enchanting.

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Sri Lanka's best-known wildlife park is famous for its leopards. Indeed, it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

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Hiking to the top of World's End, a sheer cliff with a drop of around 1,200 m (4,000 ft) will reward you with spectacular landscape views of the park.

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The Gal Vihara features four rock relief statues of the Buddha. Pictured is a reclining figure.

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The ruins of the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa include the Gal Vihara, a rock temple of the Buddha.

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The Royal Palace ruins are well-preserved.

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This ancient Buddhist temple contains statues believed to date back to the 10th century.

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This enormous conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka is revered as a holy site by Buddhists, Hindus, some Muslims and Christians.

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Baker's Falls, named after English explorer Samuel Baker (1821–1893), is one of the park's most famous natural wonders.

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A fine example of a standing statue of Buddha from ancient Sri Lanka, the Avukana Buddha statue dates back to the 5th century and rises more than 12 m (40 ft) from its base.

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Endless beaches, timeless ruins, wonderful wildlife, and a seriously friendly vibe. Sri Lanka's appeal is as diverse as its scenery. Add to the mix flavorful food and fantastic festivals, and you have a destination singular in its allure.

Browse the gallery and start visiting this sparkling Indian Ocean gem.