Top 5 Things to Do in the Ancient City of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is also a haven for adventure-seeking visitors looking for a more authentic way to experience Sri Lankan culture. Unwind in your chosen Anuradhapura hotel because you’ll need the all the energy you can get with this list. This ancient capital located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka is more than the perfect venue for a religious pilgrimage.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Anuradhapura that will set you apart from the gaggle of tourists hopping on and off cramped buses:

Rent a bike and explore the Sacred CityIt is impossible to cover the entirety of the Sacred City in one day because it contains extensive ruins that stretch out 5 km west of Anuradhapura. The best way to see it is over a couple of days, via a bicycle you can rent from a guesthouse/shop (usually, Rs 350 a day). A good starting point is the site of the Sri Maha Bodhi, which grew from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree in India, the same tree where Buddha supposedly gained enlightenment.

Visit the New Town Weekend MarketA far cry from the grandeur of the Old Town’s relics, the New Town is the modern side of Anuradhapura. It offers a glimpse of the locals’ everyday life, especially the Weekend Market, which sells a myriad of curious-looking fruit, vegetables, spices, and the usual fish and poultry. It is busy, gritty, and colorful — offering a real picture of modern Sri Lankan culture.

Eat fish rice and curry with your handsThere are a few things more fulfilling than enjoying a plateful of steaming rice and fragrant fish curry with your bare hands. A stroll along the Dharmapala Mawatha, a main street in the New Town, will reveal a wide selection of curry joints. Choose the one with the most number of diners, order their best-selling curry dish, and prepare yourself for a unique gastronomic experience.

Watch the restoration of the Abhayagiri DagobaA dagoba is a dome-shaped structure ubiquitous in Anuradhapura and significant in Buddhism. Situated in the Abhayagiri monastery, the Abhayigiri Dagoba is now being restored by hundreds of volunteers. Forming a human chain on one side of the dagoba, these volunteers pass buckets of concrete from the ground up to the construction workers on top. Such display of unity and passion is a sight to behold, people working towards preserving the rich culture their ancestors had left them.

Marvel at the sunset over Tissa Wewa LakeYou have not fully enjoyed your Anurandhapura itinerary if you’re not tired at the end of the day. But there’s another activity you shouldn’t miss and it can be enjoyed from the comfort of your room. Watching the sunset over Tissa Wewa Lake is a breathtaking experience as the calm water reflects the different shades of blending oranges, yellows, and reds. There are hotels in Anuradhapu ra that offer an excellent view of the Tissa Wewa, making sunset-watching a perfect way to end your night in this beguiling city.