North Central Province
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first capital, and one of the oldest continuously restored cities on earth.
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Founded around the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura was the island's capital for over a thousand years. The scale is what surprises most visitors — dagobas (stupas) like Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya were among the tallest structures in the ancient world, built entirely of brick.
The sacred Bodhi tree here, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, is grown from a cutting of the original tree in India under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and is documented as the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.
Worth knowing
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred fig tree
- Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya dagobas
- Best explored slowly, by bicycle
Best time to visitMay–September is driest; early morning is far more comfortable than midday on the open dagoba platforms.
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