Anuradhapura is an ancient city in northern Sri Lanka and one of the country’s most important archaeological and sacred sites. It was the first great capital of the Sinhalese kingdom, flourishing from around the 4th century BCE through the medieval era.

Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site: towering stupas (dagobas) like Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanarama, Abhayagiri, and Thuparamaya puzzle the visitor with their scale and antiquity. The Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, is a pilgrimage centerpiece. Monastic ruins, stone sculptures, moonstones, and relic chambers fill the site with layers of history.

Cycling or walking through the religious zone, visitors sense the lingering spirituality, and the wide open spaces of the ruins evoke a sense of time suspended. Anuradhapura is essential for anyone interested in Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, early civilization, and monumental architecture.