Kitulgala, place in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka
Kitulgala is a small town in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, situated along the Kelani River as it winds through dense jungle. The area is defined by lush forested hills and offers many outdoor activities including white-water rafting, hiking, and bird watching.
The area became known through the filming of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" in 1956, which showcased the river and jungle landscape to audiences worldwide. Archaeological discoveries at nearby Beli Lena caves reveal that the region was inhabited thousands of years ago.
The name Kitulgala comes from the Kitual Palm tree, which grows abundantly in the area and whose sap is processed into a sweet honey used in traditional local desserts. This plant shapes both the landscape and the food habits you can observe in the town.
The town is roughly an hour and a half drive from Colombo via the main highway through rural areas. Visitors will find simple guesthouses and small hotels where many accommodations include transportation to outdoor activities like rafting and hiking.
The nearby Beli Lena caves hold remains of what is known as the Balangoda Man, with fossils estimated at about 32,000 years old and among the oldest known remains in South Asia. This archaeological discovery makes the region significant for understanding early human settlement on the island.
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