Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, established in 437 BCE, served as Sri Lanka's capital for over 1,500 years and stands as one of Asia's oldest continuously inhabited cities. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the cradle of Theravada Buddhism and hydraulic Sinhalese civilization. The sacred city was built around the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by Princess Sanghamitta. The ancient city covers over 100 square kilometers and contains some of the world's most impressive Buddhist monuments, including massive dagobas (stupas) that were among the tallest structures of their time. Archaeological evidence shows continuous habitation from the 10th century BCE, making it a living testament to over 2,500 years of Buddhist heritage and ancient urban planning.