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Sri Lanka, Trincomalee, Dutch bay beach

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Overview

Trincomalee (Trinco) sits on one of the world鈥檚 finest natural harbors. This historic city is old almost beyond reckoning: it鈥檚 possibly the site of historic Gokana in the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), and its Shiva temple the site of Trikuta Hill in the Hindu text Vayu Purana. It makes a great stop over on the聽way to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Kandasamy Kovil

    Kandasamy Kovil

    Trincomalee

    This revered temple at the summit of a rocky outcrop is one of Sri Lanka鈥檚 pancha ishwaram, five historical Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and鈥�

  • Fort Frederick

    Fort Frederick

    Trincomalee

    Occupying the neck of a narrow peninsula, Fort Frederick has been a defensively important site for centuries. A fortress was initially constructed here by鈥�

  • Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya

    Seruwawila Rajamaha Viharaya

    Trincomalee

    One of the holiest Buddhist monuments in Sri Lanka, founded in the 2nd century BC, but only rediscovered, and reconstructed, in the 1920s. This stupa鈥�

  • Marble Beach

    Marble Beach

    Trincomalee

    About 17km south of Trinco, there's a turn-off on the left for Marble Beach (signposted just before the Kinniya bridge), a glorious cove bookended by鈥�

  • Maritime & Naval History Museum

    Maritime & Naval History Museum

    Trincomalee

    A grand 18th-century Dutch colonial building has been renovated and turned into a museum. Displays on the ground floor cover Sri Lankan naval history back鈥�

  • Dutch Bay Beach

    Dutch Bay Beach

    Trincomalee

    Right in the centre of Trinco is the attractive and picturesque Dutch Bay. Swimming is possible despite sometimes dangerous undertows. However, it鈥檚 more鈥�

  • St Mary鈥檚 Cathedral

    St Mary鈥檚 Cathedral

    Trincomalee

    Of the city's churches, the 1852 Catholic St Mary鈥檚 Cathedral is particularly attractive, with a sky-blue neo-baroque frontage and a tiled, towered rear鈥�

  • Manayaweli Cove

    Manayaweli Cove

    Trincomalee

    Manayaweli Cove is an appealing curl of fishing beach with clean sand where you can also swim in the clear water; reach it by strolling past Manayaweli鈥�

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