Polonnaruwa Ancient City

"The ancient city of Polonnaruwa, an early capital of Sri Lanka, is an 11th century ruined kingdom, dotted with ancient stupas and mossy statues, slowly being engulfed by the surrounding jungle. This UNESCO designated city was, by far, our favourite site in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. It had an uncannily similar quality to Ayutthaya in Thailand – a grand, intricate city, slowly decaying in the wilderness. It was quiet; we strolled along the overgrown, moss-topped trails, often with just birds and monkeys for company. Set along a magnificent central road, ancient Polonnaruwa’s architectural marvels sat on either side, providing little detours that made us feel like intrepid adventurers. The ancient (mostly) Buddhist remnants, still recognisable from their glorious past, peek through the forests, often providing just a tantalising glimpse of their magnitude from the main thoroughfare. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is one that many visitors to Sri Lanka miss off their Cultural Triangle itinerary. It’s a little further away from the other well-known sites, not on the main route to or from Kandy and has a UNESCO ticket price point. However, we wholehearted recommend a visit; it’s truly worth the entry fee. Here, we’ve written up everything that we think is helpful for planning your visit, including transport options, costs, places to stay, things to do, our experiences, wildlife and more."

"Just over 3 hours northeast of Kandy, Polonnaruwa puffs of immense historical, cultural, and architectural value and is a place you shouldn’t miss! Don't forget to visit the Royal Palace, Gal Viharaya, Polonnaruwa Vatadge, Lantatilake Temple, and Nelum Pokuna."

"Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its well-preserved buildings and covers 122 hectares of historical monuments.""