Anuradhapura
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80M · CULTURAL TRIANGLE

Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's first ancient capital, with dagobas that rank among the tallest ancient structures on earth

OVERVIEW

Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka's capital for over a thousand years, from around the 4th century BC. Its ruins span an enormous area, dominated by massive brick dagobas (stupas), and the Sri Maha Bodhi — a sacred fig tree said to have grown from a cutting of the original tree the Buddha attained enlightenment under.

HISTORY

As one of the longest-serving ancient capitals of any civilization in South Asia, Anuradhapura's scale is genuinely hard to grasp on the ground — some of its dagobas were, at the time of construction, among the tallest structures anywhere in the ancient world. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

THINGS TO DO

  • Visit the Sri Maha Bodhi sacred tree
  • See the Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya dagobas
  • Explore the site by bicycle — the ruins are spread over a wide area

TRAVEL TIPS

  • Dress modestly and expect to remove shoes at several sacred sites — the ground can get hot, so timing matters

WHERE TO STAY

We suggest these as a starting point — we'll confirm the right fit for your budget and dates when we plan your trip.