How to Experience Sri Lankan Culture

With a rich history that dates back over 2000 years, Sri Lanka lays claim to one of the oldest civilisations in the world. Having been colonised by the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally The British, the island is a unique amalgamation of all of these cultural touchstones. While a vast majority of its population is Sinhalese and Buddhist, there's more to Sri Lanka than iconic temples and meditation centres. Here are some of the best ways to experience the local culture during a holiday on the isle.

1. Wine and Dine like a Local

Sri Lankans love their local cuisine and it is easy to see why dining and hosting dinner parties is a national pastime among the islanders. One of the easiest ways to experience local culture is to avoid the touristy hotels and restaurants and dine where the residents of any local area happen to frequent. Some of the must-sample street food items in Sri Lanka are sold on the streets of Colombo where one can grab a quick breakfast of hoppers, string hoppers, wadey and fried chickpeas. Other local delicacies to savour include the creamy curries in the Sri Lankan cannon, including jackfruit curry and Polos curry while milk rice and boiled mung beans with sambol are other staples that are easy to find in any town or village.

2. Tour the Tea Country

Ceylon tea is famed around the world for its taste and aroma and this colonial trade has become an integral part of the culture and the hillside landscapes of the country. Described as one of the top things to do around Nuwara Eliya, there's nothing quite like touring the tea factories and tea estates lining the green hills of the Central Province. Tourists based at the Oliphant Boutique Villa or similar accommodation hubs can organise a tea estate tour via their hotel and enjoy a tea-tasting session and a demonstration of how tea leaves are handpicked and then processed in factory settings.

3. Climb up Sigiriya Rock

If you have time to explore just one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, let this be it. Dating back to the 5th Century B.C., the Sigiriya Rock Fortress is a natural wonder and a formidable palace all in one. Hiking to the top of the rock's summit is a cultural encounter like no other as the way to the top is laden with ancient murals, a Mirror Wall and two mammoth lion paws that is all that remains of a stone entrance that featured a gaping lion's mouth. Surrounded by water gardens and a museum, a trip to Sigiriya will bring one closer to Sri Lankan history and heritage.

4. Pay Homage to the Temple of the Tooth

Located in Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth is the holy site where some of the dental remains of Lord Buddha have been stored for centuries. As a fully functional Buddhist temple, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island.

5. Enjoy an Ayurvedic Retreat

Sri Lankans have used and practiced Ayurvedic remedies to find relief from common ailments since time immemorial and tourists can explore the wealth of plant-based treatments available in this healing modality during an Ayurvedic spa retreat. From soothing massages and body wraps to therapies designed to heal mental stress and fatigue, these holistic treatment hubs located around the island offer travellers the chance to address some of their biggest health issues with the help of ancient wisdom.

6. Catch a Game of Cricket

Tourists might be forgiven for thinking that cricket is a Sri Lankan export that has taken over the sporting world due to the passion most locals feel for the "gentleman's game." Taking the time to watch a game of cricket live at one of Sri Lanka's best stadiums is another great way to experience the cultural significance of this beloved game.