Just a Few Sights in Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first capital, founded in the 4th century BCE by King Pandukabhaya. It is considered the first city in the country to have embraced Buddhism. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to massive ancient stupas, vast archaeological ruins, and a sacred tree.

Anuradhapura deserves more time than (for several reasons) we were able to give it. We’d planned a morning here before catching a train to Jaffna, but just a couple of days before we learned that the train line was completely closed for major works, so we would have to travel by road instead. Our driver/guide Champi wanted to allow plenty of time for the long drive so our time in Anuradhapura was curtailed.

In addition, it was a hot and humid morning, so in one way I wasn’t too sorry that after visiting two of the sights here, and taking a brief look at a third, we returned to our air-conditioned car and hit the road. The heat also limited the amount of walking around that we did here, but I hope this will nevertheless pass muster as a Monday Walk! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).