Anuradhapura was the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Now the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anuradhapura was the cradle of glorious Sinhalese Buddhist civilization.The city also has palaces, monasteries and monuments (all in ruins) that are fascinating to visit.

Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura which is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk “Mahinda” and King “Devanampiyatissa” which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.