How to plan a visit to the stupas and ruins of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka?

Sri LankaSri Lanka Travel
Views: 0Created At: 9/18/2025Updated At: 11/6/2025
Immo Täsche
Immo Täsche
Wildlife enthusiast and photographer with extensive travels across Sri Lanka.

Hello there! Planning a trip to Anuradhapura (we usually just call it A-City)? That's an excellent choice; the place is absolutely brimming with history. However, it's quite vast, and the ruins are numerous and spread out, so it's easy to get overwhelmed without some preparation. Don't worry, I'll help you sort out the best way to explore it.

Step One: Sort Out Your Transportation – This is Key!

First, you need to understand that the core area of Anuradhapura's ancient city is enormous. You absolutely cannot cover it all on foot; you'll be exhausted by the heat. So, choosing your mode of transport is crucial:

  1. Most Convenient and Effortless: Hire a Tuk-Tuk This is the choice for most tourists. You can easily find one outside your hotel or on the street. Negotiate a price with the driver (e.g., for half a day or a full day), and they will act like a private guide, taking you to all the classic sites one by one. You just need to get out, take photos, and explore.

    • Pros: No effort, no need to navigate yourself. Drivers usually have a well-established route and can even look after your shoes (you need to remove them when entering temples).
    • Estimated Price: Half a day might be around 2000-3000 LKR, and a full day could be 4000-5000 LKR, depending on your bargaining skills and how many places you want to visit.

  2. Most Free and Romantic: Rent a Bicycle If you're fit and enjoy the feeling of free exploration, cycling is definitely the best option. Slowly pedaling through the ancient city, weaving between old trees and ruins, is a wonderful experience.

    • Pros: Cheap, high degree of freedom, you can stop anytime for photos, and you can immerse yourself more deeply in the ancient city's atmosphere.
    • Cons: Very sunny! Very hot! It's a test of stamina, and you'll need to navigate with your phone, which might lead to getting lost. Make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen and carry enough water.

Step Two: Get to Know the "Must-See" Star Attractions

Anuradhapura has many attractions, but a few are absolutely unmissable. You can consider them the main highlights of your tour:

  • Sri Maha Bodhi: This is the soul of Anuradhapura! It's said to be a branch from the very Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, planted over two millennia ago. It's the oldest documented tree in the world. This place is bustling with devotees, and locals are incredibly pious, making it the core area to experience Sri Lankan Buddhist culture.

  • Ruwanwelisaya Stupa: You've surely seen it in photos – that massive, pure white stupa surrounded by a circle of elephant carvings. Locals call it the "Great Stupa," and it's Anuradhapura's most magnificent and well-preserved stupa. It shines brilliantly under the blue sky during the day and takes on a different kind of sacred beauty when lit up in the evening.

  • Jetavanaramaya Stupa: This is a colossal brick stupa, reddish-brown in color. It might look a bit dilapidated now, but it was once one of the tallest brick structures in the world, even taller than many pyramids! Standing beneath it, you can truly feel the passage of history and the insignificance of humanity.

  • Abhayagiri Dagoba: Similar to the brick stupa above, but it's surrounded by a vast complex of temple ruins. This area sees fewer tourists, making it quieter. You can take your time walking around, imagining monks studying and living here over a thousand years ago.

  • Isurumuniya Vihara: This is a very unique temple built into a rock. It's famous for its exquisite stone carving – the "Lovers," hailed as Sri Lanka's "Romeo and Juliet." Climb to the top of the rock where the temple is situated for beautiful views overlooking the nearby reservoir.

  • Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds): These were royal bathing ponds for ancient monks. Although just two ponds, their design is incredibly intricate, with a purification system that was highly advanced for its time. Their elegant lines make them a masterpiece of ancient engineering.

Step Three: Plan a Sensible Itinerary (One-Day Version)

Here's a suggested one-day itinerary by tuk-tuk or bicycle that covers most of the highlights:

Morning (While it's cooler, see the most important sites first)

  1. Start with Tickets: Head to the ancient city ticket office (your tuk-tuk driver will usually take you directly there) and buy your Cultural Triangle Ticket.
  2. Isurumuniya Vihara: This temple is south of the main archaeological site and can serve as your starting point. See the carvings and climb the rock for views.
  3. Sri Maha Bodhi: Next, go to the central Sri Maha Bodhi to experience the religious atmosphere. You'll need to remove your shoes here, and the ground can be very hot, so remember to wear thick socks!
  4. Ruwanwelisaya Stupa: Located right next to Sri Maha Bodhi, within walking distance. Walk around the white stupa to appreciate its grandeur.

Noon (During the hottest part of the day, find a place to rest)

You can find a small restaurant near the ancient city for lunch, enjoy a chilled king coconut, and escape the midday sun.

Afternoon (Continue exploring the northern ruins)

  1. Jetavanaramaya Stupa: After lunch, head to the northern area to see this massive brick stupa.
  2. Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds): You can visit this on your way to Abhayagiri, it's a convenient stop.
  3. Abhayagiri Dagoba and Complex: This is a large area, and you can spend more time exploring here. Besides the main dagoba, there are many smaller ruins, moonstones, and other features, perfect for photography.

If you have ample time, you can also visit other smaller ruins like the Samadhi Buddha Statue.

Finally, Some Heartfelt Tips:

  • Tickets: Foreign visitors need to purchase a Cultural Triangle Ticket, which costs approximately 25-30 USD and is valid for one day, covering most of the attractions mentioned above. Note that Isurumuniya Vihara sometimes requires a separate ticket; clarify this when purchasing.
  • Dress Code: When visiting all temples and stupas, you must wear trousers or skirts that cover your knees, and your top must not expose your shoulders. Bringing a shawl or sarong is most convenient, as you can wrap it around yourself anytime.
  • Barefoot: You need to remove your shoes before entering any religious site. The ground and sand can get extremely hot during the day, so it's highly recommended to bring a pair of thick socks; otherwise, your soles will feel like they're on a "hot plate."
  • Sun Protection and Hydration: Don't forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! Always stay hydrated; the Sri Lankan sun is no joke.
  • Guides: If you're particularly interested in history, you can hire a licensed guide who will share many fascinating stories. Otherwise, the simple explanations from a tuk-tuk driver combined with your own research should suffice.

Overall, visiting Anuradhapura is like traveling through time. Don't treat it as a task to rush through attractions. Slow down, ride a bike or sit in a tuk-tuk, feel the breeze, and gaze at the ancient stupas and crumbling ruins along the way – that's the most wonderful feeling. Have a fantastic trip!

Created At: 10-02 14:51:00Updated At: 10-02 15:10:31