Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient world's greatest cities — a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first capital of Sri Lanka, founded in the 4th century BC. For over a thousand years it was the seat of Sinhalese kings and a beacon of Buddhist civilisation, producing colossal dagobas (stupas) that still rank among the largest ancient structures on earth. The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from a cutting of the original Bo tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, is the oldest documented tree in the world. Wander among moonstone-carved temple entrances, lotus ponds, and ancient hospitals as twilight paints the ruins golden.