Founded in 437 B.C. by King Pandukabhaya, Anuradhapura was the capital of a Sinhalese kingdom. In the 3rd century B.C. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. The city became one of the 10 largest cities on the subcontinent with vast monastery complexes and reservoirs and great stupas - some of the tallest buildings in the old world. After a Tamil invasion in 1017 AD it was abandoned in favour of Polonnarua. The sacred bo tree (Sri Maha Bodhi) grown from a cutting of the original fig tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment is the holiest site in Anuradhapura. Planted in 288 B.C. it is the oldest documented tree in the world. Anuradhapura is a world heritage site. Some of the most interesting sites to see today include the Brazen Palace (the 1,600 stone columns are all that are left of a multi-storied residence for monks), Isurumuniya rock temple (well known for its rock carving of 'The Lovers'), the twin ponds (a bathing pool for Buddhist monks) and Thuparama Dagoba, (the oldest Dagoba on the island).

Polonnaruwa, a world heritage site, became the second capital of Sri Lanka under the reign of King Vijayabahu I after he defeated the South Indian Chola invaders in 1070 A.D. It comprises the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, and the ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I during the golden age of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century. Irrigation systems far superior to those of the Anuradhapura age were constructed, systems which to this day supply the water necessary for paddy cultivation during the dry season. The ruins of the Royal Palace, Gal Viharaya (four statues of Buddha carved out of solid rock), the Audience Hall, the Lotus Bath, King Parakramabahu's statue, and the Parakrama Samudraya lake are some of the sites to see.

Sigiriya, the 'Lion Rock', is some 370 m high and is visible for miles around. The ruins of the capital built by King Kassapa I (477-495 A.D.) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of this granite peak. Following Kassapa's death it reverted to being a monastery complex until about the 14th century, after which it was abandoned. The ruins were discovered in 1907 by British explorer John Still. This world heritage site, consists of the remains of an upper palace on the flat top of the rock, a mid level terrace that includes the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes of the ‘Heavenly Maidens’, the lower palace on the slopes below the rock, and the moats, walls and gardens that extend for some hundreds of metres out from the base of the rock.

Dambulla

Dating from the 1st century B.C. this world heritage site has been a place of pilgrimage for 22 centuries. The cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest and best preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Of particular importance are the Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq. m) and 157 statues. Statues of the Hindu gods Vishnu and Saman are also present, reflecting the arrival of Hinduism in Sri Lanka during the 12th century.