Ruins of The Loha Prasada ( Brazen Palace)

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The Ancient Cities

Crumbling temples, lost cities and sacred Buddhist sites are the reason to head up country to the cultural heartland of Sri Lanka. It was here on the central plains that ancient Sinhalese dynasties set up their first capitals and supported massive artistic and architectural endeavors. Eventually these kingdoms fell, slowly to be reclaimed by the forest and jungles.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa, Gal Vihara temple

    Gal Vihara

    Polonnaruwa

    Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock…

  • Buddhist stupa Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

    Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba

    Anuradhapura

    This magnificent white dagoba is guarded by a wall with a frieze of 344 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder. Apart from a few beside the western…

  • Abhayagiri Dagoba stupa, Jetavanaramaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka; Shutterstock ID 539498596; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 539498596

    Abhayagiri Dagoba

    Anuradhapura

    Dating back to the 1st century BC, this colossal dagoba was the ceremonial focus of the 5000-strong Abhayagiri Monastery. Originally over 100m high, it…

  • Yapahuwa rock fortress.

    Yapahuwa Rock Fortress

    The Ancient Cities

    The steep ornamental staircase of this dramatic rock fortress is perhaps its finest feature, and once led to the Temple of the Tooth. One of the lions…

  • Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date in ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

    Sri Maha Bodhi

    Anuradhapura

    The sacred bodhi tree is central to Anuradhapura in both a spiritual and physical sense. It was grown from a cutting brought from Bodhgaya in India and is…

  • Interior of Royal Rock Temple, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

    Cave Temples

    Dambulla

    The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 absolutely…

  • Ambasthale Dagoba, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mihintale, Sri Lanka.

    Ambasthale Dagoba

    The Ancient Cities

    The main ceremonial stairway, lined with frangipani trees, leads to the Ambasthale Dagoba, built over the spot where Mahinda converted Devanampiya Tissa…

  • Visitors on the summit of Sigiriya Rock.

    Summit

    Sigiriya

    The spectacular terraced summit of the rock covers 1.6 hectares. This is thought to be the site chosen by King Kasyapa for his fortified capital after he…

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High-angle view of a train crossing the Nine Arches Bridge, just outside Ella.

Beaches

Sun, sand and Sigiriya: tips for family travel in Sri Lanka

Feb 28, 2019 • 7 min read

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The Ancient Cities and beyond

Beyond The Ancient Cities
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