Anuradhapura: Why You'll Love This Destination?
Founded around the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka's capital for over a thousand years and remains one of Buddhism's most sacred sites — home to the Sri Maha Bodhi, grown from a cutting of the original tree the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under.
Said to be the oldest documented tree in the world, grown from a cutting brought from India in the 3rd century BC and still an active pilgrimage site.
A gleaming white dagoba over 100 metres tall, one of the largest ancient monuments in the world and still an active place of worship.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role as a centre of Buddhist scholarship and monastic life for over a millennium — see UNESCO's listing.
Pair the sacred city tour with nearby Mihintale, where Buddhism was first introduced to Sri Lanka, or Ritigala's forest monastery.
