Unsurprisingly, the Cultural Triangle is the unrivalled cultural hub of Sri Lanka, boasting ruins of ancient civilisations and medieval cities and other historic sites such as cave temple complexes and the renowned Sigiriya Rock Fortress. With the earliest ruins dating back to 1st century BC, the development of Sri Lankan civilisation can be traced through these ancient sites, from the massive dagobas of Anuradhapura, the island’s first city which was heavily influenced by nascent Buddhism, to the intricate carvings and sculptures of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka’s medieval capital.
Buddhism has been hugely influential in Sri Lankan culture since it was first introduced to the island in the 3rd century BC, and this is widely evident across the Cultural Triangle. See the sacred Bo tree at Anuradhapura, the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world, and visit Mihintale, recorded as the site where Buddhism was officially introduced to Sri Lanka. As well as these well-renowned cultural sites, Buddhism in Sri Lankan history can also be seen at lesser-visited sites away from the tourist trail, such as Kaludiya Pokuna, a Buddhist monastery which has long-since been reclaimed by the jungle, and Ritigala, an abandoned Buddhist religious site which dates back over 2,000 years.
For those seeking to discover more about culture and history in Sri Lanka, visiting the ancient ruins of the Cultural Triangle is a must. Wonder at the awe-inspiring architecture, engineering and intricacies of these fascinating historical sites, which are brought to life by the dramatic backstories of feuding kings and foreign invasions.
Aluvihara Cave Temple
Matale, Cultural Triangle
Aluvihara Cave Temple, which can be visited easily from Kandy and the Cultural Triangle, is where the oral teachings of Lord Buddha were first put into writing in the 3rd century AD.
Duration: 1 hour
Best time: Year-round
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Discover the majestic remains of Sri Lanka’s first capital, originally built in the 4th century BC, the ruling place for over 100 Sri Lankan kings. You can explore these extensive ruins by bike.
Duration: 3 hours
Best time: Year-round
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Cultural Triangle
The most famous cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the ancient Dambulla Cave Temple boasts the largest number of Buddha statues to be housed in one place, as well as stunning ceiling paintings.
Duration: 1 hour
Best time: Year-round
Mihintale
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Mihintale was recorded as being the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 3rd century BC. The peak is home to magnificent pieces of ancient Sri Lankan architecture and a majestic 40ft dagoba.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, Cultural Triangle
Sri Lanka’s medieval capital from 1073 until the late 1200s, the ruins of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa are incredibly well-preserved and include magnificant granite sculptures of Lord Buddha.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Ritigala
Anuradhapura, Cultural Triangle
Ritigala is nestled deep inside a jungle-covered nature reserve, the ruins of an extensive Buddhist monasty which was abandoned during the invasions of the 10th and 11th centuries.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle
Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring and stunning historical locations in the world, built in the 5th century AD by ‘mad’ King Kasyapa.
Duration: 3 hours
Best time: Year-round
Traditional Sri Lankan Village Life
Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle
Hop into a bullock cart and explore the village life of the island. Walk through lush paddy fields, take a boat ride along Hiriwaduna Wewa and finally, savour a traditional Sri Lankan meal to wrap up your sojourn in the village.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
Yapahuwa
Yaddigama, Cultural Triangle
Yapahuwa, a shortlived Sri Lankan medieval capital, is an enormous yet little-visited rock fortress built in the 13th century around a vast granite rock which rises 100m above the surrounding plains.
Duration: 2 hours
Best time: Year-round
