Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka's oldest capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Anuradhapura preserves the ruins of an ancient Sinhalese civilisation that flourished from around the 4th century BCE to the 11th century CE. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi — a tree grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, and the oldest documented planted tree in the world — stands here alongside vast temple and monastery complexes spread across the city. A major Buddhist pilgrimage destination, the town also serves as headquarters of Sri Lanka's archaeological survey.

• Population60,943
• Nearest water from center1.6 km
• Nearest mountain from center10.4 km
• UNESCO within 50 km1