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The Ancient Cities

Crumbling temples, lost cities and sacred Buddhist sites are the reason to head up country to the cultural heartland of Sri Lanka. It was here on the central plains that ancient Sinhalese dynasties set up their first capitals and supported massive artistic and architectural endeavors. Eventually these kingdoms fell, slowly to be reclaimed by the forest and jungles.

People sitting on Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka at sunset.

Cristi Popescu/Shutterstock

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