North Central Province · #9 of 10
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first great sacred city
08.3114° N · 80.4037° E
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Anuradhapura is a UNESCO-listed sacred city of giant stupas and ancient monasteries.
For over a thousand years Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka. Today its vast archaeological park is filled with enormous dagobas such as Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya, ancient pools and monastery ruins.
At its heart is the Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment — one of the most revered sites in the Buddhist world.
Top things to do in Anuradhapura
01Sri Maha Bodhi
02Ruwanwelisaya stupa
03Jetavanaramaya
04Isurumuniya rock temple
05Cycling the sacred city
More to explore
