Anuradhapura
One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Anuradhapura served as ancient Sri Lanka’s first capital and remains a place of historical significance, drawing Buddhist pilgrims for over two millennia. The archaeological zone contains some of the world’s tallest ancient stupas, including the Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanarama, alongside the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from […]
Yapahuwa
Yapahuwa is one of Sri Lanka’s most fascinating and least-visited ancient sites, a fortified rock citadel that briefly served as the island’s capital in the 13th century and once housed the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Ancient walls, moats and an ornately decorated ceremonial stairway survive remarkably well. Far fewer visitors than Sigiriya create […]
Dambulla Cave Temple
Carved into a vast granite outcrop overlooking the Cultural Triangle plains, the Dambulla Cave Temple has served as a place of Buddhist worship for over two thousand years. Five ancient cave sanctuaries house 153 Buddha statues, three Vishnu shrines and nearly 2,100 square metres of ceiling paintings, among Asia’s finest sacred cave art. Dambulla remains […]
Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of ancient urban planning in the world. The climb to the summit passes frescoes of celestial maidens, a pair of enormous lion’s paws carved from the living rock and views across the jungle plains below. At the top, the ruins of the […]
Polonnaruwa
Cycling through the ancient city, visitors encounter colossal stone Buddhas, royal palace complexes, ornate bathing pools and carved temples – all set within a serene landscape. The famous Gal Vihara rock temple, with its four enormous Buddha figures carved from a single granite face, is among the most spiritually powerful sites on the island. Polonnaruwa […]