The interesting experiences you should try in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a huge amount to offer visitors in search of unique encounters, ranging from breathtakingly scenic routes, ancient sites with rich history, stunning wildlife, spectacular festivals and a huge variety of outdoor activities. At the end of a hectic day touring the country, you can savor the deliciously spicy cuisine, relax with rejuvenating Ayurveda spa, or simply soak up a scintillating sunset.

Enjoy a Scenic Train Ride in Sri Lanka

Train rides in Sri Lanka are so much fun that they are “bucket-list worthy”. These trains are surprisingly clean, affordable and comfortable. It felt like a mini country tour because the views outside were breathtaking. Although it is easy to get a seat but we realized that the most popular seat was the door seat. Many locals just sit by the door, eat and enjoy the view.

Trek through a Tea Plantation in Nuwara Eliya

Lipton Tea is a staple item in the cupboard of most families around the world. You can trek with a 60-yr-old local Sri Lankan up and down the steep mountains home amongst the famous Lipton Tea and other highly lauded tea estates. If you are looking to gain historical context and perspective this is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka.

The Royal Tea Trail begins innocuously by the roadside before beginning to the wind between steep tea terraces. Although unlike the rice terraces in Bali these are not tiered. There are no steps and the tea-pluckers must scale the sharp incline. The tea plants are scattered with no particular pattern although they are often layered creating a beautiful linear design on the side of the mountains.

Sunset at the Famous Rope swing in Dalawella

There are plenty of places around the world that have become viral travel hotspots overnight. A few popular Instagrammers or vloggers blow a place up and all of a sudden it becomes a must-do activity while you visit a region. The palm tree rope swing at Dalawella Beach is a prime example of a social media hotspot. Having said that it is an awesome spot for a fun afternoon or a sunset and chill place to hang out whether you intend on getting that ‘Instagrammable’ travel shot or not.

Climb Sigiriya Lion Rock

Built 1600 years ago, the UNESCO World heritage site Sigiriya is an outstanding example of ancient Sri Lankan art and architecture. Probably the most well-known Sri Lankan monument, it attracts tourists and locals alike, who early each morning tackle the 60–90 minute climb to the top. Reach the Sky Palace (on top of 200-meter-tall rock), stopping on the way to take in the gorgeous gardens and frescoes, then continue on to the summit and be astonished by the panoramic view.

Snorkel at Pigeon Island National Park

An idyllic location, Pigeon Island is situated to the north of Trincomalee, and is one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Sri Lanka. The National Park’s name comes from the rock pigeon which has colonized it, and you can spot them by climbing up the rocks on the nature trail. But the real treat for visitors is the chance to snorkel right off the beach and spot scores of tropical fish amid dazzling coral.

Explore the Markets

There are markets all over Sri Lanka, all of which will be great to explore. Try new fruits, taste some local dishes and of course meet the local vendors. Visiting a small market in Nuwara Eliya and meeting some beautiful grocers and vendors who loved having their portraits taken as you wander throughout the stalls.

Read more: Find the best beach resorts in Sri Lanka

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The 5 best museums in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh’s range of museums offers a fascinating insight into Cambodian culture and heritage and its turbulent past. Here are five museums to add to your itinerary of activities in the Cambodian capital.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA

Located next to the Royal Palace, the National Museum of Cambodia is home to more than 5,000 artifacts dating back to the ancient Angkorian period. Various rooms display a range of rare statues, lingas and other items, including the Leper King from Siem Reap and a giant 11th-century bronze Vishnu. It equips visitors with some great knowledge ahead of a trip to Angkor Wat Archaeological Park.

THE ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA

The Royal Palace serves as the King’s residence, a venue for court ceremony and a symbol of the Kingdom. Selected areas are open to the public. The palace compound is also home to the Silver Pagoda, a renowned temple that takes a prominent place on the riverside and is named for its gleaming silver floor. Guests can stroll through the manicured gardens and discover the ornate temples, libraries and galleries inside the palace grounds.

CHOEUNG EK GENOCIDAL CENTER

Between 1975 and 1979, the Pol Pot-led Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia, with an estimated two million people killed or dying from starvation and exhaustion. Almost 9,000 bodies were discovered at the mass graves of Choeung Ek, more commonly known as the Killing Fields. Now serving as a memorial, the site features a Buddhist stupa filled with human skulls retrieved from the fields. Visitors can walk around the exhumed graves and learn more through a headset-guided walking tour.

TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM

This former high school in central Phnom Penh makes for a sobering visit for the horrific role it played during the Khmer Rouge regime. During that time, the former school was transformed into a political prisoners’ camp known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). Only seven prisoners survived, while many others were tortured and killed, or sent to their deaths at Choeung Ek. Much of the site has been left as it was discovered in 1979 when the Vietnamese army liberated Phnom Penh. The blood-splattered walls, tiny brick cells and abandoned torture tools offer a chilling insight into the brutal regime.

BOPHANA AUDIOVISUAL RESOURCE CENTER

Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center is a cinema and hub for photography, television, film, and sound. As many image and sound archives were destroyed during decades of conflict, Bophana collates and archives surviving material and puts it on display to the public. The center also serves as an educational site where young Cambodians can learn audiovisual techniques, multimedia practices, broadcasting and film production. Visitors can peruse photographs that date back to 1866 and view treasured film footage. Space also regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops and film screenings.

See more: 10 best signature dishes in Cambodia

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A guide to cuisine in Xinjiang, China

Located in northwestern China, Xinjiang is famous for its extraordinary natural landscapes and various ethnic customs. But, Xinjiang cuisine is also a must-try during your trip. Food here is heavily influenced by Muslim cuisine and has a much more Central Asian flavor than anywhere else in China.

Uyghur Lamb Pie

Uyghur lamb pie is another amazing lamb-centred dish. It consists of a thin dough crust filled with minced lamb meat, onions, and other spices which is then shallow-fried to a golden-brown crisp. When you bite into a Uyghur lamb pie, its crispy, chewy exterior gives way to a savoury, meaty centre.

DaPanJi – Big Plate Chicken

Big Plate Chicken is one of the top dishes among travelers wishing to experience great Xinjiang cuisine. You can order it at the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an or at a Xinjiang restaurant in Beijing, but trust me when I say that nothing compares to what is cooked up here in the province.

Xinjiang DaPanJi is often confused as a Uyghur dish, but it is in fact part of the Hui cuisine. It consists of a huge plate of potatoes, peppers, a whole chicken and various spices. This is a best dish served with a group, so find 4-5 local friends or fellow travelers, not only because it is a lot of food but also because it can be quite expensive.

Pilaf

Found again throughout Xinjiang in various forms, this fried rice dish comes with melt-in-your-mouth pieces of mutton, raisins, and spices. It is an amazing combination of sweet and peppery goodness that once again comes with an extremely cheap price tag. Small servings for one person are usually about 10-15 RMB with options for mega large servings for 80 RMB which can feed 10 people or more.

Hami Melon

Many people in China say that the Xinjiang region has some of the most delicious fruits in the entire country, and if they ever make a trip there you can bet they are bringing back some fruit.
One of the most popular and famous fruits is the Hami melon, a Xinjiang speciality. A hard yellow exterior gives way to a sweet orange flesh that has the taste and texture of a cantaloupe. Some Xinjiang restaurants are known to serve this as an appetizer for free. Each slice is incredibly tasty and juicy; a good palette cleanser after all that savoury lamb meat.

Lagman – BanMian

The term “BanMian” is actually quite a quite confusing Xinjiang cuisine name, as it seems to be used for any type of noodle dish out here. The good news is that no matter which type of BanMian you find yourself eating, you will probably love it. The locals call the Uyghur version of BanMian “Laghman“, or “La mian”.

See more: A quick guide on travelling to China in May

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