Anuradhapura

A city that dates back 2500 years, Anuradhapura is the city where you will find the world’s oldest documented tree Sri Maha Bodhiya. As the journey begins, you will witness coconut cultivation and while you drive towards Anuradhapura, you will see vast areas of paddy fields. It is an amazing thing to see how the environment changes from the coastal line to the dry zone through the paddy fields. As your journey deepens into the northern part of the island you will be able to witness exotic birds, Monitor Lizards, grey Buffalos, and overly friendly Monkeys. The city of Anuradhapura was made the first capital of Sri Lanka in the 4th century BC, and as the longest-serving capital, it has a fantastic heritage in ancient and modern times and is one of the eight UNESCO heritage sites in Sri Lanka. A medieval city located along a riverbank (Malwathu Oya) is popular for its fascinating ancient ruins and deep-rooted Buddhist culture. Here you will find an ancient Bo tree – Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to ancient monasteries and monuments of historical importance. It remains a devout holy city centered around the Sacred Bodhi Tree, believed to be grown from a cutting taken from the original Bodhi tree under which the Lord Buddha gained enlightenment. Sri Maha Bodhiya is the oldest tree known to have been planted by a human rather than by natural seeding is a 2,300-year-old sacred fig or bo-tree (Ficus religiosa). The ruins of Anuradhapura are one of South Asia’s most evocative sights. The sprawling complex contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders: enormous dagobas (brick stupas), ancient pools, and crumbling temples, built during Anuradhapura’s thousand years of rule over Sri Lanka. Today, several of the sites remain in use as holy places and temples.

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Travel Info

Flight time 21 hours Colombo (via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Delhi and Bahrain)
Time zone GMT+5 1/2 hours
Recommended airlines Emirates, Etihad, Air India and Qatar
Best season Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, Nov & Dec. It’s a year-round destination with consistent warmth and lots of sunshine, with temperatures averaging between 31°C at their highest and 22°C at their lowest.
Visa US citizens need a tourist visa. The information provided herewith at the current time can be subject to change at concise notice. It's your responsibility to ensure you meet entry requirements before you travel.
Capital Colombo