Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a masterpiece of ancient urban planning and engineering that still baffles experts today. It is a massive “Lion Rock” that surges out of the jungle. As you climb the 1,200 steps, you’ll pass the vibrant “Heavenly Maiden” frescoes and the famous Mirror Wall, covered in graffiti from visitors who stood where you are […]
Anuradhapura
For over 1,300 years, this was the beating heart of Sri Lankan civilisation. Anuradhapura is home to massive brick stupas that rival the pyramids of Giza in scale. It is a living sacred city where you can sit in the shade of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest human-planted tree in the world and […]
Polonnaruwa
When the capital shifted to Polonnaruwa, it became a showcase for mediaeval South Asian art and architecture. The best way to explore this “open air museum” is on a bicycle, pedalling between the ruins of royal palaces, massive man-made reservoirs, and the Gal Vihara. Here, four magnificent Buddha Statues are carved directly into a single […]
Kandy
Tucked away in the emerald hills, Kandy was the last stronghold of the Sri Lankan kings. Its centrepiece is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which houses a relic of the Buddha. The city feels different from the dry plains, cooler, mistier and deeply spiritual. If you visit during the evening Thewava (ceremony), the […]
Dambulla
Carved into a massive rock outcrop, the Dambulla Cave Temples have been a place of worship for over 2,000 years. Inside five separate caves, you’ll find 153 Buddha statues and intricate ceiling frescoes that cover every inch of the rock. The transition from the bright, hot sun outside to the cool, quiet, gold hued interior […]