Your Travel Experience with Finest Journeys
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Today you will visit Mihintale, known as “Mahinda’s Mountain,” an important pilgrimage site where King Devanampiyatissa first embraced Buddhism under the guidance of Arahat Mahinda. The climb to the summit involves around 1,840 steps, best done early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat. Along the way, you may encounter monkeys and local vendors selling ornaments, fruits, and spices. From the top, enjoy wide views across the plains and see ancient monuments that reflect Mihintale’s deep spiritual importance. In the evening, continue to Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka’s most significant ancient capitals. Founded in the 4th century BC, it remained a centre of Buddhist culture and political power for more than a thousand years. The site features monumental stupas, ancient monasteries, and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree, believed to be the oldest recorded tree in continuous worship. The city’s irrigation systems, reservoirs, and bathing tanks highlight the engineering expertise of early Sinhalese civilisation. Visiting Anuradhapura offers valuable insight into Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and the lasting influence of Buddhism on the island’s early society.