Just like its counterpart Polonnaruwa, the city of Anuradhapura has a very ancient and illustrious history. Located in the dry zone, the city was once a grand kingdom, graced by great kings and their glorious legacies. Especially seen in the numerous Buddhist monastery complexes which reflect various influences which were built under their patronage. Not to mention the vast reservoirs that dot the countryside which still feed the fertile fields to this very day!
If you are hoping to travel to the city, from Colombo, you can most probably reach your destination approximately in around four hours. Once there, plenty of tuk-tuks driven by friendly locals are available to take you around to see all the sights. However, remember to settle on a fixed price before setting off. Often most of these drivers double as a tour guide and actually speak fluent English. So, you can actually have a more enhanced sight-seeing experience.
Among the popular sites to take in is the ‘’Abhayagiri Vihara Monastery’’, famous for its intricate moonstones and bathing pools. The ‘’Isurumuniya Vihara’’, another monastery complex carved into solid rock. And the ‘’Jetavanramaya Monastery and Vihara’’, which stands at a height of 122 meters. At one point of time in history, it was believed to be the tallest structure in the world, second only to the pyramids of Giza.
Apart from wandering around and marvelling at the fine architectural skills and abilities of the people of Anuradhapura in the ancient days, one can also have a good time sampling culinary dishes found in local restaurants, especially the traditional rice and curry served on a fresh lotus leaf.
