North Central Province

The Cultural Triangle's core — sacred Anuradhapura, medieval Polonnaruwa and the wildlife-rich tanks of ancient hydraulic civilisation.

Districts

Places to visit

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's first ancient capital and a sprawling UNESCO sacred city of colossal brick stupas, monastic ruins and the world's oldest documented tree.

Giritale

Polonnaruwa

A quiet lakeside village on an ancient reservoir just west of Polonnaruwa, the handiest base for safaris into Minneriya National Park and its famous elephant gathering.

Mihintale

Anuradhapura

A sacred mountain peak 12 km east of Anuradhapura, revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka's medieval capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city, where a compact ancient city of palaces, stupas and rock-cut Buddhas rings the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir.