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About the ancient cities region of Sri Lanka

Other Regions: capital-colombo | hill-country | south-coast | west-coastSri Lanka ancient-cities
Five centuries before Christ, Sri Lanka was a land thriving with vitality and a progressive cultured civilisation. Cities, places, reservoirs, parks, temples, monasteries, monuments and works of arts all bare testament to this ancient civilisation and the subsequent ones that have followed through the centuries. Come to the Cultural Triangle and visit this unique ancient civilisation in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Sigiriya.
Cities: Anuradhapura | Dambulla | Kala Wewa | Mihintale | Polonnaruwa | Sigiriya

Major Cities of Interest

Travel Sri Lanka Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura

 
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Travel Sri Lanka Dambulla

Dambulla

 
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Travel Sri Lanka Kala Wewa

Kala Wewa

 
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Travel Sri Lanka Mihintale

Mihintale

 
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Travel Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa

 
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Travel Sri Lanka Sigiriya

Sigiriya

 
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Other Information

This area: Flood Plains National Park | Luxury Tented Safaris | Somawathie Chaittiya National Park | Sri Lanka Bird Watching | Sri Lanka Dolphin Watching | Sri Lanka Whale Watching | Sri Lanka World Heritage Sites | Wilpattu National Park
  More on the ancient-cities Region ☟
Travel Sri Lanka CulturalTriangleAnuradhapuraIntro.gifAnuradhapura - the most extensive of the Sri Lankan ancient cities. The city was said to be a model of planning - there were hostels and hospitals and a water supply was assured by the construction of reservoirs. By the middle of the third century BC the fame of the island’s first capital had spread to the distant lands of the Mediterranean. Anuradhapura was to continue as the national capital for over 1300 years up to the 10th Century AD when repeated innovations by Indians and a struggle for royal succession resulted in the capital being withdrawn to Polonnaruwa. It still remains home to the sacred bo tree, the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world which was brought to Sri Lanka over 2000 years ago by the sister of Mahinda who introduced the Budda's teachings to the country. Today the monuments of Anuradhapura’s heyday survive for you to visit surrounded by the solemn umbrage of trees and an ancient parkland - it is essential viewing!

Travel Sri Lanka CulturalTrianglePolonnaruwaIntro.jpgPolonnaruwa - 140Km north-east of Kandy in the Hill Country and 104Km south east of Anuradhapura is Polonnaruwa. The second seat of rule and a medieval capital: 11-12th Century. The city in its day was fortified with three concentric walls, beautified with parks and gardens and sanctified by many a shrine and sacred place. The majestic King’s Council chamber, the rock cut Lotus Bath, the statue of Parakrama Bahu (one of the great kings of Sri Lanka), the rock-cut sculptures of Gal Vihare (Temple) and the Sea of Parakrama (a vast man-made reservoir) are really memorable sights.

Travel Sri Lanka CulturalTriangleSigiriyaIntro.jpgSigiriya - Sigiriya is a fascinating rock fortress which was the stronghold of a fifth century king who sought refuge. It is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. Approach the rock through the beautiful water gardens before making the 200 meter ascent to the three acre summit . Before reaching the royal palace at the summit the visitor passes a gallery of heavenly maidens painted upon the rock face and a wall of graffiti where visitors of 1000 years ago felt compelled to inscribe their impressions of the maidens in the gallery. The visitor then passes through two enormous lion paws, the remains of a gigantic brick lion before making the final approach to the summit where magnificent views of the surrounding jungle await.

Travel Sri Lanka CulturalTriangleDambullaIntro.jpgDambulla - 12 miles from Sigiriya is Dambulla which is an archaeological treasure. It is a famous cave temple, 500 feet high and dating back to the 1st century BC when King Valagam Bahu, driven out of Anuradhapura, took refuge here. When he regained his throne he converted the caves into a magnificent rock temple. Later kings made further improvements to the temple, including gilding of the interior, earning the name Ran Giri (Golden Rock). With its series of spectacular caves and a painted area of cover 20,000 sq.ft. of Buddhist murals Dambulla is an amazing place - Both Dambulla and Sigiriya can be viewed on the same day.


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Tours to the ancient-cities Region, Sri Lanka

 
Sri Lanka Mini Cultural Heritage Tour and Beach HolidaySri Lanka Mini Cultural Heritage Tour and Beach Holidayfrom £959 
Discover the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka inclding Polonnaruwa Ancient City Tour, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Tour, The Royal City of Kandy Tour, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage with time on the beach to relax at the end of your trip.

Sri Lanka Mini Cultural Triangle and Wildlife Tour and Beach HolidaySri Lanka Mini Cultural Triangle and Wildlife Tour and Beach Holidayfrom £989 
Discover the world renowned Cultural Triangle and the wild life of Sri Lanka in this tour while staying at some of the finest hotels. Tour includes Anuradhapura Ancient City Tour, Polonnaruwa Ancient City Tour, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Caves, The Royal City of Kandy Tour, Peradeniya Botantical Gardens, Minneriya National Park, Negombo Village Tour, and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage plus time on the beach to relax at the end of your trip.

Sri Lanka Luxury Heritage Tour and Beach HolidaySri Lanka Luxury Heritage Tour and Beach Holidayfrom £1379 
Discover the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka with luxury inclding Polonnaruwa Ancient City Tour, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Tour, The Royal City of Kandy Tour, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage with time on a luxurous beach to relax at the end of your trip.

Sri Lanka Royal Kingdom Tour and Beach HolidaySri Lanka Royal Kingdom Tour and Beach Holidayfrom £1009 
Discover the cultural past that dates back to the 5th century BC and the proud history of Sri Lanka. This unique holiday will take you to the most prominent historical ancient royal kingdoms in Sri Lanka give time to experience Sri Lanka's charming people, culture and diverse landscape. You will be staying at some of the finest hotels that give the sprit of this holiday but still retaining the modern comforts.

Sri Lanka T20 World Cup England Full Tour HolidaySri Lanka T20 World Cup England Full Tour Holidayfrom £2239 
Come and support the current champion, England to defend title at the ICC T20 2012 World Cup. The package includes England qualifier matches played in Colombo, the Supper Eights matches in Pallekelle, Kandy, two semi-final matches and the final. Book early, reserve your hotels, tickets, transfers and tours with a small deposit. Hurry!

Excursions of the ancient-cities Region, Sri Lanka

 
Sri Lanka Anuradhapura Ancient City TourAnuradhapura Ancient City TourAnuradhapuraancient cities
 Anuradhapura ancient city in Sri Lanka is a magical place. Anuradhapura features some of the most ancient archaeological treasures in Sri Lanka dating back to the 4th century BC. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that must be missed.
 

Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa Ancient City TourPolonnaruwa Ancient City TourPolonnaruwaancient cities
 Polonnaruwa ancient city remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
 

Sri Lanka Sigiriya Rock FortressSigiriya Rock FortressSigiriyaancient cities
 Sigiriya Rock Fortress is another fascinating World Heritage site dating back to the 5th century which was once a stronghold for a king who sought refuge. It remains on a 200 meter high rock with magnificent views of the surrounding jungle.
 

Sri Lanka Jungle TrekkingJungle Trekking ancient cities
  
 

Sri Lanka Hot Air Ballooning Sri LankaHot Air Ballooning Sri LankaDambullaancient cities
 Discover the ancient kingdoms and national parks in style. Hot air ballooning is now available in Sri Lanka.
 

Sri Lanka Dambulla Cave TourDambulla Cave TourDambullaancient cities
 Dambulla Cave Temple is the best preserved cave temple complex in the country with beautiful statues and paintings.
 

Sri Lanka Mihintale TourMihintale TourMihintaleancient cities
 Mihintale is a sacred mountain peak considered to be the location where Buddhism was first introduced to the island of Sri Lanka. The mountain peak is approached by a grand stairway of 1840 granite steps.
 

Sri Lanka Avukana Buddha statueAvukana Buddha statueKala Wewaancient cities
 The magnificent free-standing Avukana Buddha statue carved out of a single granite rock face during the 5th century is the tallest Buddha statue in existence today.
 

Sri Lanka Minneriya National Park SafariMinneriya National Park SafariPolonnaruwaancient cities
 Dominated by the ancient Minneriya Tank, Minneriya National Park has plenty of scrub and light forest in its 8890 hectares to provide shelter for its toque macaques, sambar deer, leopards and elephants – to name a few.
 

Sri Lanka Elephant Back SafariElephant Back SafariSigiriyaancient cities
 In the afternoon take an optional Elephant Back Safari through the forests and villages of Habarana/Sigiriya.
 

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