Anuradhapura Hotels

Of the many charms to bejewel Sri Lanka, however, none is more vital than the vast cultural potency that spans Central and North Central province. Though barely the size of Swaziland - or the U.S. state of Connecticut for that matter - the highlands of Sri Lanka unfurl a singular UNESCO World Heritage quintet. The Sacred City of Kandy, Golden Temple of Dambulla, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Ancient City of Sigiriya and Sacred City of Anuradhapura duly entice an incessant deluge of annual pilgrims and tourists.

Anuradhapura, a foremost spiritual and political capital for over 1,300 years, is a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Ancient, venerable and a provenance of Sinhalese civilisation, the city is a bona fide open-air museum full of mystical ruins, temples, stupas, palaces and exquisite Buddhist sculptures.

Anuradhapura's Top 10

Anuradhapura History

• Ratnaprasada – These 8th-century guardstones in Anuradhapura are designed to look like a cobra king.
• Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba – Constructed by King Dutugemunu, it stands 55m high.
• Many of the stone elephants have been replaced because of age.
• Thuparama Dagoba – The oldest in Sri Lanka, it was constructed in the 3rd century by the Devanampiya Tissa.
• Archaeological Museum – Contains many items found in the Kataka Chetiya Dagoba excavation.
• Isurumuniya Vihara – A rock temple dating back to 207 BC, around the reign of Devanampiya Tissa.

Anuradhapura Art & Culture

• Sri Maha Bodhi – A sacred bodhi tree that was brought from India by Princess Sangamitta. It has religious significance to the community.
• Abhayagiri Museum – This place seeks to commemorate the visit of Faxian, a Chinese Buddhist monk, to the city.
• Folk Museum – This museum in Anuradhapura contains exhibits showing life in the North Central Province.
• Poson Festival – Held in June in Mihintale, this is a major Buddhist festival celebrating spiritual awareness and the evolution of civilization.
• Wesak Festival – A major festival held yearly in May, Sri Lankans celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Anuradhapura Shopping

• Vijai Bookshop – A nice bookstore containing many titles, with a small English section.
• Zam Zams – A local store that sells modern items you may have forgotten to pack.
• Cargills Food City – A place to get groceries and medication if you need it in Anuradhapura.
• Local Vendors – Locals set up shop outside of the temples and parks. You can purchase food, souvenirs and other assorted items from them.
• Sathosa – A supermarket located in Polonnaruwa.

Anuradhapura Gay & Lesbian

Homosexual rights are not officially recognized by the government in Sri Lanka, although social rules are more relaxed. However, gays and lesbians should still use discretion if they feel uncomfortable. The gay and lesbian scene in Anuradhapura is underdeveloped.

• Go Lanka – A gay-friendly tour operator based in Negombo that can arrange tours, drivers and other arrangements for travel throughout Sri Lanka.
• Visit Sri Lanka – This tour company offers gay- and lesbian-friendly guides, drivers and accommodations in Anuradhapura.
• Palm Garden Village Hotel – This welcoming hotel has a nice ambiance, large swimming pool and a nearby lake that is visited by wild elephants.
• Heritage Hotel – This hotel boasts lushly landscaped grounds, making for a nice retreat.
• Salgado Hotel & Bakery – Serves traditional Sri Lankan breakfasts and baked items.

Anuradhapura Events

Anuradhapura New Town is home to many markets and handicraft stalls, all perfect for souvenir and treasure hunters.

When To Go

The relatively cool climate of the North Central province of Sri Lanka lures visitors from the coastal corners of the island and most certainly had a hand in the prodigious cultural development of the region over the millennia. While still firmly in the tropical belt, Anuradhapura is more comfortable, on the whole, than urban Colombo.

That aside, monsoons and heavy rain can disrupt the good times from May to July and, indeed, in December and January. It is best to keep an eye on the forecast, then, and give the highlands and northern parts of the country a wide berth in inclement weather.

The best time to visit Anuradhapura is between monsoon seasons, from March to the middle of May. Temperatures, for the most part, run between 73°F (23°C) and 86°F (30°C).

Getting Around

The A9 highway from Kandy is the only viable route to Anuradhapura. The drive from Colombo to the UNESCO World Heritage city takes four to five hours.

Within Anuradhapura proper, most visitors walk from site to site or take a taxi, bus or some other form of tourist transport.