Anuradhapura Ancient City Private Day Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Isurumuniya Temple

  Isurumuniya is a stunning rock temple known for its peaceful setting and intricate stone carvings, including the famous Isurumuniya Lovers sculpture. Originally built in the 3rd century BC, it was a sanctuary for Buddhist monks and remains a serene and spiritual site to this day.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 2
  Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

  The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) located in the Mahamewna Gardens of Anuradhapura. It is considered the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and continuous recorded history. This revered tree is the closest living link to Gautama Buddha.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 3

  The Brazen Palace (Lovamahapaya) was a remarkable nine-story monastic structure built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu. It once housed a refectory, assembly hall, and chapter house. The palace was crowned with a roof made of bronze tiles, which gave it its name.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 4
  Ruwanwelisaya

  Located in the heart of the ancient city, the Ruwanwelisaya stupa was built by King Dutugemunu (137–119 BC) and completed by his brother King Saddhatissa. It is one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world and holds great spiritual and architectural significance.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 5
  Dagoba of Thuparama

  Thuparamaya is considered the first stupa built in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Constructed by King Devanampiya Tissa, it houses a sacred collarbone relic of the Buddha. Its bell-shaped design and surrounding stone pillars represent the grace of early Buddhist architecture.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 6
  Moonstone or Sandakada pahana

  The Sandakada Pahana, or Moonstone, is a distinctive architectural element found at the entrances of ancient buildings in Anuradhapura. These semi-circular stone slabs feature intricate carvings symbolizing the cycle of life in Buddhist tradition.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 7
  Rathna Prasadaya & Guardstone - පොහොය ගෙය සහ මුරගල

  Rathna Prasadaya is an ancient structure featuring detailed carvings and guardstones. Over time, stone replaced wood in the construction of these elements, offering greater durability and artistic complexity in the Anuradhapura period.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 8
  Eth Pokuna

  Eth Pokuna is a massive ancient reservoir measuring approximately 159 meters long, 52 meters wide, and 9.5 meters deep. Built to supply water to nearby monasteries, the pond's impressive scale reflects the advanced water management systems of the time.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 9
  Abhayagiri Dagaba

  The Abhayagiriya Stupa is located in the ancient Sinhala capital of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. It was built by King Valagamba (89–77 BC) and became one of the largest monastic complexes in the ancient world. Abhayagiriya is recognized as one of the tallest and most significant ancient stupas in Sri Lanka.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 10
  Samadhi Statue

  This famous Samadhi Buddha statue is located in Mahamevnāwa Park. It depicts the Buddha in the Dhyana Mudra, the meditation posture linked to his first Enlightenment. Carved from dolomite marble, the statue stands 7 feet 3 inches tall and radiates a sense of calm and serenity.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 11
  Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna)

  The Kuttam Pokuna, or Twin Ponds, are ancient bathing tanks built during the Anuradhapura Kingdom. These beautifully preserved structures are part of the Abhayagiri monastic complex and showcase the advanced hydrological engineering and artistic design of ancient Sri Lanka.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 12
  Jethawanaramaya

  Jetavanaramaya is one of the tallest and largest stupas in the ancient world, built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD. Once part of a massive monastic complex, it was a center for both religious and scholarly activity. Its massive scale and brickwork reflect the grandeur of ancient Sri Lankan architecture.

  25 minutes • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

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