Anuradhapura: Sri Lanka's First Ancient Capital
Anuradhapura was the island's capital for over a thousand years and is still a living pilgrimage site. The ruins spread across a huge area of parkland and reservoirs, so it is best explored by bicycle or tuk-tuk rather than on foot.
The great stupas
Ruwanwelisaya, gleaming white and ringed by stone elephants, is the one everyone photographs. Jetavanaramaya and Abhayagiri were once among the tallest structures in the ancient world, enormous domes of brick you can walk right up to.
The sacred bo tree
Sri Maha Bodhi grew from a cutting of the tree the Buddha sat under, planted in the third century BCE, making it the oldest historically dated tree on earth. It is deeply revered, so dress modestly and keep quiet.
How to see it
Hire a bike or a tuk-tuk for the day; the sites are kilometres apart across the sacred city. A ticket covers the main archaeological zone, and early morning is cool and bright.
Nearby
Mihintale, the hilltop where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, is a short drive and a worthwhile climb. Polonnaruwa, the second ancient capital, pairs well on a longer cultural-triangle trip.
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