Cultural Triangle · City

Anuradhapura

One of Sri Lanka's ancient capitals and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still a holy city for Buddhists.

Where we stay: Forest Rock Garden Resort, Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura, Ulagalla Walawwa Resort

Heritage & History

Full day

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka's first capital, with monasteries, dagobas and ruins from the ancient civilisation.

ancient citybuddhistruinsunesco

1 hour

A massive ancient stupa and one of the great monuments of the Anuradhapura era.

ancientdagobastupa

30 minutes

Two ancient bathing ponds, one large and one small, built from granite blocks. A good example of old engineering.

ancientarchitecturebathing pools

45 minutes

A rock temple beside Tissa Wewa, known for its carvings including the famous lovers sculpture and the elephant pond.

carvingslaketemple

1 hour

A sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and a major pilgrimage place.

buddhistpilgrimagesacred tree

2-3 hours

A mountain peak sacred to Buddhists, where the monk Mahinda is said to have met King Devanampiyatissa and brought Buddhism to the island.

buddhisthillpilgrimageviews

1 hour

A huge white stupa, one of Anuradhapura's most revered monuments.

buddhistdagobastupa

3 hours

A three-hour train journey from Anuradhapura north to Jaffna, a good way to see the changing countryside.

northscenictrain