The sacred city, slowly
A guide to Anuradhapura from the people on the lake: what to see, when to go and how long it takes from Yaazoraa.
For more than a thousand years Anuradhapura was the royal capital of Sri Lanka. Its stupas, monasteries and great man-made lakes are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is still one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist world.
Yaazoraa sits on the southern shore of Nuwara Wewa, the largest of the city’s ancient reservoirs, on the quieter eastern side of Anuradhapura. You are 15 minutes from the Sri Maha Bodhi and the great stupas, 25 minutes from Mihintale, and already on the road towards Dambulla, Sigiriya and Kandy.
Where to stay in Anuradhapura
Hotels in Anuradhapura fall into a few areas. The New Town, around the railway station and bus stand, is convenient for transport. Guesthouses close to the Sacred City put some of the stupas within walking distance. The roads along the great ancient reservoirs are quieter, with wide views of the water.
Yaazoraa is on the southern shore of Nuwara Wewa, on the New Kandy Road. It suits travellers who want to visit the sacred sites in the cool of the morning and evening, and come back to a pool, a good meal and a quiet room in between.
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
- Ruwanwelisaya
- Mihintale
- Anuradhapura railway station
- Dambulla
- Bandaranaike International Airport
Inside the Sacred City
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, brought to Anuradhapura by Sanghamitta Theri in the 3rd century BC. It is the oldest living tree in the world planted by humans with a recorded date.
Ruwanwelisaya
The great white stupa raised by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC, ringed by a wall of carved elephants. Visit at dusk, when devotees in white offer lotus flowers and light oil lamps.
Lovamahapaya
The "Brazen Palace": a field of 1,600 stone pillars that once carried a nine-storey chapter house roofed in bronze, between the Bodhi tree and Ruwanwelisaya.
Thuparamaya
The first stupa built in Sri Lanka after Buddhism arrived, commissioned by King Devanampiya Tissa to enshrine the collarbone relic of the Buddha. Its slender stone pillars once held a circular roof.
Jetavanaramaya
Built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD, this brick stupa once rose about 122 metres, making it one of the tallest structures of the ancient world after the pyramids of Giza.
Abhayagiri Dagoba & Monastery
Founded by King Vattagamani Abhaya in the 1st century BC, Abhayagiri was a great international monastery. Walk quietly among its stupas, moonstones and guard stones, then visit the small museum nearby.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
A 4th-century seated Buddha in deep meditation, carved from dolomite marble. Its calm expression is one of the most recognised images in Sri Lankan art.
Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)
A pair of stepped bathing ponds used by the monks of Abhayagiri, fed by underground conduits and filtered through a silt chamber. Ancient hydraulic engineering at its most graceful.
Isurumuniya Rock Temple
A rock temple beside Tissa Wewa, famous for the carving known as the Isurumuniya Lovers and for elephants sculpted into the stone above a pool.
Mirisawetiya
A stupa built by King Dutugemunu after his victory, near the banks of Tissa Wewa. Usually quiet, with fine carved altars on its frontispieces.
A day in Anuradhapura
Visit the sacred sites in the gentle light of morning and evening, and rest by the lake in between.
Dawn at the Sri Maha Bodhi
Join the first offerings of the day, when the air carries jasmine and incense.
Breakfast by the lake
Back to Yaazoraa for an à la carte breakfast and a long coffee on the terrace.
The pool, a book, a nap
Sit out the midday heat in the water or in a cool room.
High tea on the water
A three-tier platter and a pot of Ceylon tea as the light softens.
Ruwanwelisaya at dusk
Join devotees in white as they walk around the great stupa with lamps and lotus flowers.
Dinner under the lights
Something from the grill, back at the lake.
Mihintale and day trips
Mihintale
The mountain where Arahat Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa and introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Climb the granite stairway to the Aradhana Gala rock for views across the plains. It is most revered on the Poson full moon in June, when pilgrims arrive from across the island.
Ritigala Forest Monastery
An ancient forest monastery on the slopes of a strict nature reserve, with stone walkways and meditation platforms set quietly among the trees.
Avukana Buddha
A standing Buddha about 12 metres tall, carved from a single granite rock face in the 5th century near Kala Wewa.
Wilpattu National Park
Sri Lanka's largest national park, known for leopards, sloth bears and its natural lakes, called villu. The Hunuwilagama entrance is about an hour away; go for a dawn safari.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Five cave shrines filled with painted ceilings and Buddha statues, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the road towards Sigiriya.
Sigiriya
The Lion Rock fortress with its frescoes, mirror wall and water gardens. An easy day trip from Anuradhapura if you start early.
Before you go
Need a tuk-tuk for the day or directions to the sacred sites? Just ask us.
How to find us- Dress with respect
- Cover shoulders and knees; white is traditional. Remove shoes and hats before entering the sacred areas.
- Walk barefoot with care
- The sacred terraces are visited barefoot and the stone warms in the midday sun, so many visitors come in the early morning or evening. Plain socks are acceptable.
- Be mindful
- Speak softly, never pose with your back to a Buddha statue, and ask before photographing anyone at worship.
- Getting around
- The Sacred City is spread out. A tuk-tuk for the day or a bicycle suits it best.
- Tickets
- Foreign visitors need a ticket for the main archaeological area. Keep it with you, as it is checked at several sites.
- Poson in June
- The June full moon marks the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and pilgrims gather in Anuradhapura and Mihintale in great numbers. Book well ahead.
More at Yaazoraa
Make the lake your base in Anuradhapura
Message us on WhatsApp or call, and we will confirm your room, meal plan and any little extras.
Also on Booking.com and Agoda.