Sri Lanka's first great capital, home to the sacred Bodhi tree and vast white stupas
Anuradhapura is both an archaeological site and one of the holiest places in Buddhist Sri Lanka. Across a wide landscape of lawns, forest and ancient reservoirs rise enormous stupas, among them the gleaming white dome of Ruwanweliseya, while the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi draws a constant stream of pilgrims dressed in white.
The scale can feel overwhelming, but the atmosphere is calm and devotional. Evening is especially moving, when oil lamps are lit, chanting drifts across the terraces and the stupas glow against the sunset. Give yourself at least a full day to explore the main monuments.
Tradition dates the city's foundation to the 5th century BCE, and King Pandukabhaya is credited with establishing it as the capital in the 4th century BCE. It remained the seat of Sinhalese kings for well over a thousand years, until Chola invasions at the end of the 10th century ended its role as capital and the court moved to Polonnaruwa.
According to the chronicles, a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought here by the nun Sanghamitta, daughter of the Indian emperor Ashoka, and planted by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is widely described as the oldest living human-planted tree with a known planting date. King Dutugemunu raised Ruwanweliseya around 140 BCE, and later kings built the great Abhayagiri and Jetavana monasteries. UNESCO inscribed the Sacred City of Anuradhapura on the World Heritage List in 1982.
Anuradhapura is above all a pilgrim city. Families travel from across the island, dressed in white, to worship at the eight great sacred places known as the Atamasthana. Alms halls and free refreshment stalls appear during festivals, and the surrounding farms still draw water from ancient tanks such as the Tissa Wewa.
Start early at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya, which are close together, then explore the outlying monasteries by bicycle or tuk-tuk. Watch how pilgrims circle the stupas clockwise, offer flowers and tie prayer threads, and join them quietly if you wish.
Return to Ruwanweliseya or the Bodhi tree at dusk for the evening rituals, when lamps and chanting create a memorable atmosphere. On Poson Poya in June the city fills with pilgrims commemorating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
The city lies in the dry zone, with rains mainly during the north-east monsoon from about October to January and hot, dry weather for much of the rest of the year. February to September is usually best for sightseeing, although midday heat can be intense; plan outdoor visits for early morning and late afternoon. Poson Poya in June is spectacular but very crowded.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Hotels and guesthouses are spread around the new town and near the Tissa Wewa and Nuwara Wewa reservoirs. Anuradhapura has railway stations on the northern line from Colombo, and buses run frequently to Dambulla and Kandy. Mihintale, where Buddhism is said to have been introduced to the island, is a short drive to the east.
Sri Lanka · 3 nights3★ HotelSri Lanka · 3 nights4★ HotelSri Lanka · 3 nights5★ HotelThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
