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 a cutting of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.