Anuradhapura District, Archaeological district in North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura District is a region in Sri Lanka's North Central Province containing ancient temples, monasteries, and farmland spread across a large area. The area holds archaeological sites from different periods alongside agricultural land still in use today.
The region was founded in the 4th century BC and served as Sri Lanka's first capital, where Sinhalese civilization flourished for over 1,000 years. This long period established it as a religious and political center of great importance.
The Sri Maha Bodhi tree in the district is one of Buddhism's holiest places and continues to draw thousands of pilgrims today. The atmosphere around this tree is filled with devotion and quiet prayer.
You can reach the district by bus from Colombo, with the journey taking around six hours through the central region. The best time to explore is during the drier months, when paths are easier to walk.
The district contains three ancient water reservoirs known as tanks, which showcase irrigation engineering developed over 2,000 years ago. These structures demonstrate the technical knowledge of that era and some still function today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
