The Cultural Triangle: 10 Ancient Wonders of Sri Lanka

Between Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy lies Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle — a plain of ancient capitals, colossal stupas and rock fortresses that ruled the island for over two thousand years. In a compact area you can climb Sigiriya's lion-guarded summit, walk the monastic cities where Buddhism first took root, and stand before Gal Vihara's serene granite Buddhas. Most travellers base themselves in Sigiriya, Dambulla or Habarana and cover the triangle in two to four days; every site below is UNESCO-listed or a short drive from one that is.

1. 01

   Sigiriya Rock Fortress (Lion Rock)

   A 5th-century royal citadel atop a 200-metre granite monolith, famous for its frescoes, mirror wall and lion-paw gateway.

   Sigiriya · LKR 9000 · UNESCO

2. 02

   Dambulla Cave Temple (Golden Temple)

3. 03

   Polonnaruwa Vatadage (The Quadrangle)

   An exquisite circular relic house at the heart of the Sacred Quadrangle, regarded as the finest surviving example of vatadage architecture in Sri Lanka.

   Polonnaruwa · LKR 9000 · UNESCO

4. 04

   Gal Vihara

   Four colossal Buddha images carved from a single granite wall, among the greatest masterpieces of ancient Sri Lankan sculpture.

   Polonnaruwa · Free entry · UNESCO

5. 05

   Ruwanwelisaya (Great Stupa)

   A gleaming white dome-shaped stupa and one of the most sacred and revered monuments in the Buddhist world.

   Anuradhapura · Free entry · UNESCO

6. 06

   Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

   The sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the Buddha's own Bodhi tree, said to be the oldest historically documented tree in the world.

   Anuradhapura · LKR 200 · UNESCO

7. 07

   Mihintale Sacred Mountain

   The mountain where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka, reached by a monumental stairway past ancient stupas and monastic ruins.

   Mihintale · LKR 500

8. 08

   Jetavanaramaya

   A colossal red-brick stupa, once among the tallest structures in the ancient world, at the ruins of the Jetavana monastery.

   Anuradhapura · Free entry · UNESCO

9. 09

   Nalanda Gedige

   A small, complete ancient stone temple blending Buddhist and Hindu architecture, near the geographic centre of Sri Lanka.

   Matale · LKR 500

10. 10

    Medirigiriya Vatadage

    A serene circular relic house crowning a low rock hill about 30 km north of Polonnaruwa, ringed by concentric rows of stone pillars.

    Polonnaruwa · LKR 500

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