Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense spiritual and historical significance. For over 1,300 years — from the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD — it served as the seat of Sinhalese power and Buddhist civilisation, making it one of the longest-lasting political centres in the ancient world.

The city is home to some of the most sacred Buddhist sites on the planet. The Sri Maha Bodhi, or Sacred Bo Tree, is believed to have been grown from a branch of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment — making it the oldest documented tree in the world at over 2,300 years old. The towering white stupas — Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya, and Abhayagiri — were once among the tallest structures in the ancient world, with Jetavanaramaya originally standing at 122 metres.

Spread across a vast area of over 40 square kilometres, the archaeological park includes monasteries, royal palaces, bathing pools, and irrigation tanks that demonstrate a remarkable level of ancient engineering. The twin ponds (Kuttam Pokuna), the Isurumuniya rock temple with its famous carved lovers, and the Samadhi Statue — considered a masterpiece of Buddhist sculpture — are among the many treasures. The best time to explore is early morning, when the atmosphere is at its most serene and the golden light illuminates the ancient brickwork.