Sri Lanka’s first royal capital and the ancient centre of Buddhism, Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for magnificent stupas, the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, ancient monasteries, and remarkable reservoirs.
A curated collection of the most celebrated and visited sights across the destination.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest historically documented living tree in the world, grown from a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in India. According to Buddhist chronicles, Theri Sangamitta brought the sapling to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. Today, it remains one of the world's most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites and the spiritual heart of ancient Anuradhapura.
Ruwanwelisaya, also known as the Great Stupa, is one of Sri Lanka's most sacred and magnificent Buddhist monuments. Built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE, it is traditionally regarded as enshrining one of the largest collections of sacred relics of the Buddha. Its great white dome and surrounding statues make it one of the most iconic landmarks of Anuradhapura.
Thuparamaya is traditionally regarded as Sri Lanka's first Buddhist stupa, built by King Devanampiya Tissa following the introduction of Buddhism to the island. It is believed to enshrine the Buddha's right collarbone relic and is one of Anuradhapura's most sacred pilgrimage sites.
Jetavanaramaya is one of the world's tallest ancient brick structures and one of the great monastic monuments of Anuradhapura. Built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century CE, the enormous stupa reflects the remarkable engineering and architectural achievements of ancient Sri Lanka.
Abhayagiri was one of the three great monastic centres of ancient Anuradhapura and developed into a vast complex of stupas, monasteries, ponds, image houses and other structures. The magnificent Abhayagiri Stupa, together with the surrounding archaeological remains, reveals the scale and importance of ancient Buddhist monastic life.
The Samadhi Buddha Statue is one of Sri Lanka's finest ancient Buddha images, depicting the Buddha in deep meditation. Located within the Abhayagiri monastic complex, the serene 4th-century sculpture is regarded as a masterpiece of ancient Sri Lankan Buddhist art.
Kuttam Pokuna, or the Twin Ponds, is a remarkable example of ancient Sri Lankan hydraulic and architectural craftsmanship. Built for the monks of the Abhayagiri monastery, the beautifully designed stone bathing ponds feature elaborate steps, stonework and water-management systems.
Lovamahapaya, also known as the Brazen Palace, was once a magnificent multi-storey monastery near the Sri Maha Bodhi. Its hundreds of remaining stone pillars provide a striking reminder of the scale and architectural achievements of ancient Anuradhapura.
Mirisavetiya is an ancient stupa built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE. According to tradition, after his victory over King Elara, the king planted his royal spear, believed to contain a sacred Buddha relic, near Tissa Wewa during a water festival. When the spear could not be removed, he ordered a stupa to be built around it. Today, Mirisavetiya remains an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Lankarama is an ancient stupa believed to have been built by King Valagamba in the 1st century BCE in honour of Queen Somadevi, who helped the king escape during an invasion. Surrounded by rows of stone pillars, the stupa reflects the early architectural traditions of Anuradhapura. It is one of the Eight Sacred Places and remains an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
Vessagiriya is an ancient monastic site set among rocky outcrops south of the main sacred city. Its caves, rock shelters and archaeological remains provide an insight into the lives of Buddhist monks who practised meditation in the ancient kingdom.
Isurumuniya is a beautiful ancient rock temple surrounded by ponds and gardens. It is famous for its exquisite stone carvings, including the renowned Isurumuniya Lovers, and combines Buddhist heritage, ancient art and a peaceful natural setting.
Ranmasu Uyana is an ancient royal pleasure garden located between Isurumuniya and Tissa Wewa. The extensive garden contains ponds, rock features, bathing pools and ancient stonework, offering an insight into the sophisticated landscape design and leisure traditions of the ancient kingdom.
Tissa Wewa is one of the great ancient reservoirs of Anuradhapura, traditionally attributed to King Devanampiya Tissa. Built to support the ancient city's water supply and agriculture, the reservoir remains an impressive example of Sri Lanka's advanced ancient irrigation engineering.