Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a Legendary city of Sri Lankan history. Currently, it is the main city in the Northern Central province of Sri Lanka. So it is a place to feel the Sri Lankan rich history, essence of Buddhism, and also you can get an unforgettable experience with the Sri Lankan countryside's natural beauty.
Places to visit in Anuradhapura
📍Here, I have listed some places you must visit while traveling to Anuradhapura, which are conveniently located near the city. You can read about these places by clicking on the places on the list.
Natural Beauty of Anuradhapura
You can experience a rich natural beauty while travelling to Anuradhapura. The scenic view of the temples, Ruwanwelisaya and Abhayagiriya, from the lake bank of Tissa Wewa is truly admirable. The endless paddy fields stretching into the distance add extra pleasure to your eyes. There is another special thing about Anuradhapura, many of its main roads are lined with huge trees on both sides creating a cool, shady, calm, and peaceful atmosphere as you travel. You’ll find this not only in Anuradhapura but also throughout much of Sri Lanka’s countryside. It’s common to see monkeys moving playfully through the landscapes around the city. And if you prefer to experience wildlife, the Wilpattu National Park is located very close to Anuradhapura.
History
According to ancient chronicles, this is the capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th Century BC to the 11th century AD. The city was established by King Pandukabhaya. And it was home to great leaders of Sri Lanka like King Devanampiya Tissa, King Dutugamunu, etc. And many important events related to Buddhism in Sri Lanka took place during the Anuradhapura era.
1. Introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahant Mahinda Thero, the son of Emperor Asoka of India.
2. Receiving the sacred Boo tree (Jaya Sri Maha Bhodi).
And also, this city had very good technology for that time. The irrigation system, which was made by interconnecting the huge tanks, amazes engineers even today. Not only that, in that period, Sri Lankans had to face many foreign invasions. There are many legends about how the Sri Lankans triumphed over them in the Anuradhapura era. However in the 11th century, with the movement of Trade activities from Mannar Harbor to Trincomalee Harbor, the kingdom was moved to Polonnaruwa.
What are the Accommodation Options and Tourist Facilities in Anuradhapura?
We can get a wide range of accommodation options in Anuradhapura, from comfortable budget guesthouses and homestays to star hotels with all the facilities. You can easily find a place that matches your needs. Many hotels are located close to the sacred city area, giving quick access to major attractions like Ruwanwelisaya and Jaya Sri Maha Bhodi. Most of these places provide essential facilities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and restaurants which serve local cuisines and western cuisines. Also, you can find banks, supermarkets, and pharmacies in the city. And also, there is the Teaching Hospital of Anuradhapura in case of need.
How to Get There
It is about a 4 to 4 and a half hour drive to Anuradhapura from Colombo. There are 2 main ways via Kurunegala and Puttalam. If you go by train, there are some intercity and express trains which offer 1st class A/C,2nd class, and 3rd class seats. There are also luxury bus services from Colombo. Normal local bus services are available too. But it is a little bit tiring because they usually stop everywhere, and they don't have air conditioning. So I recommend that if you are using a bus, take an A/C bus.
You can book train seats and chek the availability from the official site of Sri Lankan railway department. The link is below
https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/Travel Tips
- Book accommodations well in advance during peak season.
- You have to drink bottled water beacuse the water in Anuradhapura area has a little bit salty taste.
- You should be careful from monkeys. They can snatch things right out of your hand and run off.You can see them usually around the tourist pots.
- When eating at restaurants, make sure to look at reviews. You can find good, well maintained restaurants in the city. And also, you can find clean and safe small places managed by rural villagers. But be careful to avoid poorly managed street stalls like in bus stops and pavements of the city.
- The best time to visit Anuradhapura is from April to September during its dry summer season. In this season, you can visit without the interruption of rain, though you have to prepare for high temperatures around 32-33 degrees Celsius.
- Since Anuradhapura is a sacred city, make sure to wear modest, fully covered clothes that reflect Sri Lankan cultural respect ,light cotton outfits are best for the warm weather.