Insight Guide Sri Lanka focuses comprehensively on this scenic island with its deceptively rich cultural past. Full-color photos throughout combine with the lively text to help you get under the skin of the destination - its people, ancient civilizations and Buddhist temples and architecture, as well as its places. Our "Best of Sri Lanka" section outlines attractions and activities not to be missed, while features by local writers cover subjects from the obvious to the not-so-obvious: art and architecture, the pleasures of a good rice and curry, Buddhists and Tamils, but also Kandyan drumming, the lowdown on Ayurvedic therapies and the art of Sri Lanka's muralists. Thirteen Places chapters then take you on an inspirational trip, from the capital Colombo to the beaches of the West Coast; the palaces and temples of Kandy to the ancient ruins of the Cultural Triangle; and the tea plantations of the cool Hill Country to the lesser known eastern and northern regions - with plentiful maps to show you the way around. Finally, the Travel Tips cover all your practical needs, with a wealth of information and listings.