From misty mountains to golden coastlines - discover the best of Sri Lanka with Lisence to Travel Lanka.
A sprawling archaeological park of royal palaces, stupas and giant rock-carved Buddha statues, set out among lakes and shady woodland — one of Sri Lanka's best-preserved ancient cities and an easy cycle around on two wheels.
Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka's capital from the 11th to 13th centuries, after Anuradhapura, and its ruins are remarkably intact — royal palace walls still stand several storeys high, and the carvings on its temples and shrines have kept their detail for close to a thousand years. The whole site is UNESCO-listed as the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, and its flat, shaded layout makes it one of the most comfortable ancient cities in the country to explore.
We build Polonnaruwa in as a half-day or full-day stop on the cultural triangle route, best explored by bicycle in the cool of early morning, taking in the royal palace complex, the quadrangle of temples, and the monumental Gal Vihara Buddha statues carved directly into the rock.
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