Every day, people ask the girl "to go to Lanka with the dollar for rupees need to first in the domestic yuan into dollars?" Many of the latest travel posts actually recommend this. That was true a long time ago, but things are totally different now! Let's talk about it today.
UnionPay debit card for direct rupee withdrawals
The currency of Sri Lanka is the rupee. Currently, the US dollar to Sri Lankan rupee exchange rate is about 144 rupees to 1 US dollar. There are exchange counters at the airport, but the rate is slightly lower. Colombo's fortress area has many currency exchange stores with better rates than the airport.
Since 2012, all of Sri Lanka's more than 500 ATMs have been able to accept UnionPay cards. So far, UnionPay cards can be used to withdraw cash and check balances at Sri Lanka Commercial Bank cash dispensers and ATMs with UnionPay, Standard Chartered, HSBC and Citibank logos. The UnionPay card can also be used by a number of well-known brands, making it more convenient to use the card.
An exchange counter has been set up at the airport bank. There is a Sri Lanka Commercial Bank ATM in the departure hall of Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Note: There was a time when many people reported that the magnetic stripe/chip card discrepancy might make it impossible to withdraw money. Now, the banking system has been largely upgraded. But just in case, it's recommended that you bring a few extra cards with you.
Even if there is no UnionPay logo on the ATM, you can still try.
About cash withdrawal fees
The issuing bank for overseas withdrawals will charge a fee. Please consult the issuing bank for specific rates, the number of withdrawals per card per day, the amount of each withdrawal, and the cumulative amount of withdrawals. Basically, the smaller the bank, the lower the UnionPay card fee. Nowadays, people use Huaxia card more (the first payment is free every day). Similarly Changsha Bank, Chengdu Bank, etc. seem to have more favorable handling fees.
What exactly is the best deal?
After reading the above, are you still in the clouds? That chick told you a direct quote:
The National Bank of Sri Lanka has fully supported UnionPay. Basically do not need to exchange foreign exchange. Just take two or three CUP cards (some spare) directly to Lanka to withdraw money.
Withdrawing money from your UnionPay card at the real-time exchange rate is much more affordable than any manual exchange point!
But in case a small place doesn't have an ATM or doesn't support UnionPay, it's advisable to bring some US dollars for protection (after all, the US dollar is the universal currency). That said, bring some CUP cards, debit cards, credit cards and a few dollars and you're set.
The author's guide, "National Geographic. Travel Guide to Sri Lanka", travelogue "India, Incredible", translated works "The Journey of the Brave: Climbing the Seven Summits", and so on.
Signing: Sina Travel, Qunar.com, Tongcheng.com, Poor Travel Travel.com, Yupu Travel, Ali Travel, Knowing Travel Tips and so on. Lord of Sri Lanka, Little Earth Alliance. Participated in Travel Channel and Southeast TV programs.
He is also a traveler and hiker. Walking slowly in more than ten countries in three continents.
Sri Lanka Travel Guide:
Endless beaches, hospitable people, herds of elephants, mesmerizing waves, interesting train journeys, the famous black tea
Sinhalese monuments, the old city of charm against the blue sandy beaches; through the beauty of the immaculate stupas and flower-bloomed temples, watching the prayers of the pious and happy people. This is the endless Sri Lanka.
If you are planning to go to Langkawi and don't have time to make your own guide, then this article is just what you need!
The West Lambie Experience
Lancashire has attractions all over the island, but especially on the south-west coast, in the ancient cities of the Midlands, in Kandy and in the mountains. They are also very diverse: from seaside to mountainous areas, from religious shrines to fresh tea plantations, from ancient World Heritage cities to wildlife haunts, proving that Sri Lanka is 'small in size but rich in resources'.
Fans of religious culture and historical sites will want to visit the Cultural Triangle and the North Central Hills.
The four World Heritage Sites of Anuradhapura, the ancient city of Bolonnaruwa, the Lion Rock of Sigiriya, and the Golden Temple of Dambulla in the center of the country form one of the few large-scale monument clusters in the world.
Kandy is the most representative of Sri Lankan culture of the ancient city. There is not only the Temple of Buddha's Tooth, which makes the Sri Lankan people proud, but also a cultural city that unites the traditional artistic styles of sculpture, architecture, dance, music, painting and so on.
Jaffna in the north was once a war zone in the civil war. Years of war have made it a late development and rarely visited by tourists. It is home to a population of Hindu practicing Tamils and has a different style from mainstream Sri Lankan culture. The best view is of the sea road next to the Jaffna Castle. On a good day, it's good for watching the sunset.
Cat tip: Some of the local bus drivers in the ancient city of Naruwal in Polonnanuradhapura will recommend you. They don't have to buy a ticket or take you to the old city for a low price. In fact, they sneak into the old city by bypassing the ticket check. It's easy to get in, but there are specialized local patrols that can randomly check your ticket at any time. I have seen some Chinese people caught red-handed and punished. Don't be cheap and superstitious about ticket evasion strategies and put yourself in an embarrassing situation.
For those who like to relax and laze around, be sure to visit the southwest coast: Matara Matara, Mirissa Merisha, Galle, Unawatuna Unawatuna Beach.
Blue skies and turquoise waters are a must-see for many visitors to Sri Lanka.
The capital city of Colombo and the ancient city of Galle have a strong exotic color. Colonizers left behind Western-style buildings and streets that add a distinctive flavor to both cities.
Beautiful ocean views, Unawatuna is recommended for water play, Sikadua for surfing and Melissa.
Watching whales and dolphins in the sea is Melissa's specialty tourism product, attracting countless tourists. In addition, stilt fishermen are also present in these waters, and the lucky ones can catch a glimpse of them.
Those who appreciate the natural beauty of forest tea plantations and love outdoor hiking, geo-parks and wildlife must visit NuwaraEliyaEyrier, SiannHaragaForestReserve, HortonPlain and YalaNationalPark( YalaNationalPark).
Nuwara Eliya on the plateau is a summer resort developed during British rule with a refreshing climate and colonial flavor.
The New Haraga Forest Reserve is a World Heritage-rated natural landscape. It is rich in species and has vast virgin forests for outdoor travelers to explore.
The Horton Plains is a beautiful, serene and exotic place. It lies at the foot of Sri Lanka's second and third peaks and is covered in pristine grasslands. The wildlife is diverse and perfect for trekking. During the journey, the jungle suddenly disappears and heaven and earth return to the open. The yellow dirt road leads to "The End of the World", an 870-meter-deep cliff that marks the end of the southern end of the Horton Plains.
Yarra National Park is a haven for crocodiles, elephants, deer, bears, wild buffalo, peacocks, wild boar and a variety of birds. It is also recognized as the forest park with the highest density of money leopards in the world.
Central Sri Lanka is mountainous. Tea gardens are represented by Ella. You can see green hills and waterfalls and black tea grown in the hills. The weather is cool and pleasant and the air is fresh.
People who like pristine beaches and local culture can visit Batticaloa and other towns in the east.
Compared to the more developed spots on the southwest coast, it can be considered an unspoiled coastline. There are fewer tourists, but the scenery is not at all bad.
Route recommendation:
D1:Departure: Colombo Colombo.
D2:Colombo Colombo - Pinnawela (Elephant Orphanage) - DambullaDambra (Rock Temple).
D3:DambullaDambulla - Polonnaruwa, Polom (capital of Mediaaeval, home of the Pologamahuba Palace).
D4:Pinnawelanaruwa, Polong - Sigiriya Lion Rock, Polong.
D5:Naruwa, Naruwa-Batticaloa, Porong (KachcheriBatticaloa Fortress), Porong - Kalkuda.
D6:The Eternal City of Saints
D7:Anuradhapura - Temple of Buddha's Tooth Kandy
D8:Kandy Kandy (Royal Botanical Gardens of Peladnya)
D9:Kandy Kandy - Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliyel-. -Nanu Oia Railway Station -Ella Ella -Tisamahalla Matiselmoharam.
D10:Tissamaharama (Yala National Park Yala National Park - Matara Matara (DondraHeadLighthouse, the most beautiful temple of Poseidon in Sri Lanka)
D11:Matara Matara - Mirissa Mirissa ( Beach).
D12:Mirissa Mirissa - Ahanga Makanda - Unawatuna Unawatuna (Beach)
D13:Unawatuna Unawatuna - Galle Galle (Galle Old Town)
D14:Galle Galle - Bentota Bentota - Colombo Colombo
D15:Colombo Colombo
Getting to Sri Lanka How to get there
China has direct flights to Colombo from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming and Hong Kong, with a flight time of 5-7 hours. Tourists can also choose to transit Sri Lanka in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
Cat tip: Taxi is the most convenient way to get from the airport to Colombo. There are two cab counters at the airport for locals and international tourists. Please note that the counter in the airport's arrivals hall serves locals only, and international tourists must arrange cab service through the travel agency counter on the other side of the back of the connecting corridor. Each company is clearly marked and the prices are similar. It's about Rs. 2500 to Colombo, 1 hour or so.
How to get around Sri Lanka
The most common forms of intercity transportation in Sri Lanka are trains and intercity buses, while chartered buses are the most comfortable way to get around, but are far more expensive than public **** transportation.
The most convenient means of transportation for urban travel are cabs and rickshaws with local characteristics.
Caterpillar Tip:
Prices for electric tricycles are capped at Rs. 100/km and the smaller the place the lower the charge. Remember to confirm the price with the driver before getting into the vehicle. Electric tricycles are not recommended for long term rentals.
Taxis in Sri Lanka are a niche mode of transportation and are basically a reservation system. Reservations need to be made by phone 0.5-1 hour in advance. Most cabs cost Rs. 60-100/km.
Lanes in Sri Lanka are opposite to lanes in China. Cars drive on the left, so be careful when crossing the street.
Trains
Sri Lanka's railroad network is widely distributed, and traveling to Sri Lanka by train is a good choice. Although the Sri Lankan train is slow and has outdated facilities, it is inexpensive, which provides tourists with an opportunity to get in touch with the local people and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. However, it is not uncommon for Sri Lankan trains to be late, sometimes as much as half a day late.
Ordinary Trains (Slow Trains)
Ordinary trains in Sri Lanka are mostly steam locomotives with three types of carriages. First class seats are air-conditioned and the tickets are very expensive. There are three types of seats, sleepers and compartments. Second and third class seats are ordinary seats and are not seated by ticket number. Third class carriages are usually very crowded.
Intercity Express
There is also an Intercity Express between Colombo and major cities. Although it is very fast. However, these lines can only go to and from two places and not to a third.
Luxury Sightseeing Train
This is a dedicated line for international tourists and is operated by ExpoRail and RajadhaniExpress. The Luxury Sightseeing Train is well-equipped with air-conditioning, LED TVs, and WIFI, but the price is 2.5-3 times higher than the regular train.
Buses
Coaches are divided into regular and air-conditioned buses. The latter is naturally more expensive than the former, which is about twice as expensive.
State-run coach SLTB/CTB Public **** Bus Company
State-run coach is abbreviated as SLTB. The red body is a logo with a lion pattern and the word "SLTB" printed on it. There is no air-conditioning on weekdays, the price is cheap and there are many routes.
Private Coaches
There are two types of private coaches: regular buses and intercity buses. Ordinary buses have average facilities but are cheap. Prices are about the same as state-owned coaches, and major stops are similar. However, it is easy to stop anywhere on the road. Intercity buses are air-conditioned and less crowded, but they are more expensive, twice as much as regular buses. Intercity buses run between two cities and do not stop at random.
High Speed Bus
At present, the only high speed bus is the Colombo-Galle section, which costs Rs. 470 and runs for 30 minutes. With luxurious facilities and efficient transportation, it takes only an hour to reach its destination. More new routes will be opened in the future.
Chartered bus***car/train/coach
Chartered buses are the most comfortable way to travel, but compared to trains and coaches, they are much more expensive and are at a very high level of spending in the region. There are counters at the airport in Colombo that offer charters, and you can also contact hotels through travel agents. Charter buses cost Rs. 7000-9000 per day. If you think the driver's service is good, you can pay a 10% tip.
Sri Lankan Cuisine
The staple dish of Sri Lanka is 'curry', a dark-colored sauce with a variety of toppings, which is served with rice, cakes and other staples. In addition to curry, fried snacks are also common here. In addition, Sri Lanka, as a tropical island, needs cheap seafood and tropical fruits to savor.
Typical Sri Lankan food consists of a plate of rice with a few small butterfly dishes, mainly chicken, fish, potatoes, beans and greens. It is rare to see a plate of greens. Often they ask for vegetables, which turn out to be beans, which they think are vegetables.
Local sea fish is plentiful and cheap. I had a plate of tuna at a restaurant on the beach by the sea for 750 rupees. Grouper, shrimp and crab are not expensive to try.
The people of Sri Lanka love Hopper--, a bowl-shaped pancake made of rice flour and coconut milk. People often stand around waiting for the shopkeeper to make the funnel. A dozen are bought at a time.Hopper's small, pointed-bottomed round pans, just a foot in diameter, are lined up in front of the store. Early in the morning, rice paste mixed with coconut milk is prepared for making the funnels. Pour a spoonful, turn the pan, spread the rice paste evenly in the pan, and put the lid on. After a while, the funnel was ready. One with only Rs. 5-6 is served with curry or other sauce.
Caterpillar Tip:
Naturally everything is expensive in the tourist areas, and the restaurants that locals will go to will be priced similarly or slightly lower than small restaurants at home. A main meal 15-50 yuan.
Sri Lankans eat with their hands. If you can't accept this way, it's okay. Restaurants have spoons. You can ask for a spoon to eat. If you want to try grabbing with your hands, please remember to grab the rice with your right hand.
Some restaurants in Sri Lanka give you tap water. If you have a weak stomach you better buy bottled water. Usually a one liter bottle is 100 rupees.
Also, Sri Lanka is world famous for black tea and the locals love to drink tea. Therefore, tourists are advised to experience more tea here.
Cat tip: If you do not specify black tea, the default black tea here is sugar. Pure black tea 10-20s/cup (about 50 cents - 1 yuan), milk black tea 30-40s/cup (about 1.5 yuan - 2 yuan).
Coconuts and bananas are especially cheap here. A golden coconut is 30-50 rupees (about two or three dollars). Emperor bananas are two dollars for a big hang, and you can't even eat them. Pineapple, papaya, watermelon is also very cheap. The coconut milk from the golden coconut is sweet and savory. After drinking it, don't forget to ask the owner to help you cut the golden coconut and scoop out the coconut meat inside to eat. It's delicious.
Liquor in Sri Lanka is only sold in stores that sell it, so you can't buy it in supermarkets or small stores. Even beer must be bought at the hotel. The price is more expensive than at home, a can of beer is about 10 yuan.
Sri Lankans love yogurt, which is sold everywhere on the streets. A cup of 25 rupees (about 1.2 yuan). Sri Lankan yogurt is delicious, but it is important to note that many yogurts are plain yogurt with no added sugar. Some plain yogurts come with a bag of syrup that you can pour into the yogurt and eat yourself. Some yogurts have added sugar.
Cat tip: Sri Lankans never like to haggle when they buy things.
About Accommodation
Most hotels are RMB 50-150 per room, and the beach side is much more expensive than the non-beach area. Non-beach area is around 50-100 RMB, beach area is mostly above 100 RMB.
If you are traveling poorly, consider going for religious accommodation, which will be much cheaper than hotels. Many places have YWCAs or YMCAs, or Young Women's and Men's Christian Associations; and YMBA Buddhist Youth Associations all offering cheap accommodation for around 20 to 30 RMB. the YMBA, Buddhist YMBA, is open to both men and women. YWCAs are usually limited to women, and YMCAs are usually limited to men.
Most cheap accommodations do not offer hot showers, only cold showers. Sri Lanka is hot and most Sri Lankans are used to cold showers. Because cold water is enough. The better hotels will have hot water showers.
There are several essential things in the luggage for traveling to Sri Lanka, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, slippers, shampoo, shower gel, soap for washing clothes, many small hotels and inns do not have. Also, be sure to bring mosquito spray. The mosquitoes are very bad here.
Caterpillar Tip:
Please be aware of check-out times when you check in. Many hotels will check out unexpectedly early, such as at 9am or 10am, which is common in Sri Lanka. Please be aware of this in order to avoid disputes at checkout.
The items that must be checked in at check-in are mosquito nets. It is a tropical island in Sri Lanka. It is hot all year round and there are a lot of mosquitoes. If you don't have a mosquito net on your bed, you won't need to sleep tonight.
What you need to know before you leave
Visas
You will need to apply for an Electronic Visa (ETA) to travel to and transit through Sri Lanka. The visa on arrival, which was previously in place, was abolished in 2012. The e-visa is valid for 6 months with a stay of 30 days. It can also be extended to 90 days by applying to the Sri Lankan Immigration Department.
To apply for an e-visa, you need to go to the official website, Sri Lanka Visa Center. First fill up the form, then pay online and finally receive the visa by mail.
Language
Sri Lanka has its own language and script but English is popular. It is enough to walk around Sri Lanka in English. Sri Lankan English has an accent, so don't beat yourself up if you can't understand it. Smile, pen, paper and body language.
The equation of time; time difference
Sri Lanka belongs to the East 5.5 zone (GMT 5.5), 2.5 hours from China. For example: Beijing time 8:00, Sri Lanka time 6:30. you can change your cell phone time to network time to change the time difference automatically.
Money
The currency of Sri Lanka is called the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), usually abbreviated as "Rs".
There are eight denominations of banknotes in circulation in Sri Lanka and they are Rupees. These are 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000. however, the smaller bills with a denomination of 2 or 5 rupees are no longer in use. There are also coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 rupee in circulation at the same time. Recently coins of 2, 5 and 10 rupees have been added and 1 rupee is equal to 100 cents (US cents).
Cat tip: Latest exchange rate for 2016
RMB 121.6 Sri Lankan rupees
RMB 0.04
Approximately 140.9 Sri Lankan rupees for 1 US dollar
RMB 10.006 US dollars
Converts
In Sri Lanka, direct rupee-to-chinese yuan conversion There are few opportunities to exchange RMB directly to rupees and the exchange rate is not favorable. So it is advisable to exchange US dollars at home first and then convert them to local currency at Colombo airport or local exchange offices. I suggest you change more change.
The exchange rate at Sri Lankan airports is not much different from the city, so you can exchange enough cash at the airport. Jewelry stores, hotels or casinos, and some large shopping malls also have private money changers, and their exchange rates will be higher than the banks'.
Bank cards
It is recommended that you bring a MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit card with international payment capabilities. Credit cards can be used in mid to high end hotels and restaurants.
Also, you can withdraw Sri Lankan rupees in Sri Lanka directly from ATMs with the UnionPay logo using a Chinese bank card, and Chinese UnionPay cards can be withdrawn from ATMs at HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, and Commercial Bank of Ceylon. ATMs of this bank can be found in almost all towns and tourist spots, but there will be a fee.
Cat tip: You can use your Huaxia Bank card to realize cash withdrawals abroad: you can deposit RMB at home and withdraw rupees locally, and there is no fee for the first cash withdrawal every day. Comparison of cost-effective.
Dress code
Sri Lanka is in the tropics and it is hot all year round. You can wear summer clothes. But in the mountains, you need to bring long sleeves, long pants and woolen clothes to keep warm.
Subject to the monsoon, you must bring rain gear when traveling in the rainy season; if you are traveling on a sunny day, the ultraviolet rays are very strong, and sunscreen is essential. Please prepare umbrellas, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing.
Visiting temples should respect local customs and do not wear sleeveless clothes with bare legs.
Remember to bring mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are quite abundant in almost all places. No repellent, just bites.
Mobile phone SIM cards
Mobile phone cards are available at the Colombo airport and counters are open 24 hours. Tourists can choose from different operators and packages, such as the Dialogue package used by some tourists, which costs rs. 1300 and includes 5GB of 3G network traffic, 50 minutes of Sri Lankan domestic calls and 50 minutes of international calls (to call back home), which is sufficient for about 10 days of travel communication. Staff will provide card cutting service.
WIFI is not very popular in Sri Lanka. You can buy a wireless card or use your cell phone to drive your laptop to the Internet.
Cat tip: China's off-contract, China Mobile and China Unicom contract phones support Dialgo's Sim card, and Telecom contract phones can't match. Check the conversation's phone bill and traffic: dial *#456#.
Power
The voltage in Sri Lanka is 230 volts - 240 volts, 50 hertz. Please check the permissible voltage range of your electronics before traveling, otherwise you will need to bring transformers and adapters.
Plugs
There is a wide range of plugs in Sri Lanka, of which the two main ones are British Standard and South African Minor. In addition to this, there are American Standard and British Standard plugs. You can buy adapters at local supermarkets and airports. You can use three-pin square plugs and two-pin round plugs.
Medicines and Chemicals
Diarrhea, mosquito bites and heat stroke are the biggest health risks when traveling in Sri Lanka. So it is advisable to take medicines such as safranin, mosquito repellent, eau de cologne, grass oil and patchouli. In addition, malaria, cholera, tetanus and dengue fever are infectious diseases worth preventing in the tropics. Sri Lanka's sun is strong, it is recommended that sunscreen with sun protection index SPF 50 or more, and the use of repair medication after sun exposure.
Taboos
Sri Lanka is a strictly religious country. Here are some taboos to be aware of:
In Ceylon, locals shake their heads in approval and nod their heads in disapproval. This is the opposite of what we are used to.
Don't shake hands with people with your left hand, use your right hand only to grab food, and use both hands to take what is handed to you.
Take off your shoes when you enter a religious shrine and do not show your shoulders, arms or legs.
Before taking pictures of religious shrines and statues, it is best to ask the locals if it is okay to take pictures.
Don't take pictures with Buddha statues or with your back to them.
Couples should not be too intimate in public ****.
Don't overexpose yourself on the beach.
On the full moon day of every month is the "Boye Festival", when locals do not work or sell alcohol.
Flash cannot be used when photographing monuments such as Dambulla and Lion Rock.
Places such as dams and airports are military sites and photography is not allowed.
Get permission before shooting at locals. Some stilt fishermen and elephant watchers at the Elephant Orphanage may charge a fee to shoot.
In conclusion, I wish you a pleasant smile and a refreshing breeze blowing across the island as you cross the ocean to Nangka.