LankaProvince guide
North Central
15 places below, plus every guide set here. Start with the essentials, then pick your base.
Destinations in North Central
- Abhayagiri Monastery Complex and Museum (Anuradhapura)
- Isurumuniya Rock Temple (Anuradhapura)
- Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Anuradhapura)
- Jetavanaramaya Stupa and Monastery (Anuradhapura)
- Mihintale Rock and Temple Complex (Anuradhapura)
- Ritigala Forest Monastery (Anuradhapura)
- Ruwanwelisaya (Ruwanwelimaha Seya) (Anuradhapura)
- Thuparamaya Dagoba (Anuradhapura)
- Dimbulagala Rock Monastery (Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara) (Polonnaruwa)
- Gal Vihara Rock Temple (Polonnaruwa)
- Kaudulla National Park Safari (Polonnaruwa)
- Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari (Polonnaruwa)
- Parakrama Samudra Reservoir (Polonnaruwa)
- Polonnaruwa Vatadage (Polonnaruwa)
- Royal Palace Complex of King Parakramabahu (Polonnaruwa)
Guides set in North Central
Hike & Viewpoint
North Central Province Essentials: Scams, Beaches, Food, Gyms, Views
Honest North Central province roundup: scams to avoid, best beaches and views, where to eat, and gym options.
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Heritage
Abhayagiri Monastery Complex and Museum — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
History and museum lovers; explore a great monastic university and its finds
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Hike & Viewpoint
Dimbulagala Rock Monastery (Dimbulagala Raja Maha Vihara) — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Monastery and viewpoint seekers; hilltop dagoba with sweeping plains views
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Temple & Sacred
Gal Vihara Rock Temple — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Art and history lovers; face the four rock-cut Buddhas, highlight of Polonnaruwa
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Temple & Sacred
Isurumuniya Rock Temple — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Art lovers and couples; see the famous Isurumuniya Lovers carving at sunset
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Heritage
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Buddhist pilgrims and history lovers; pay respects at one of the world's oldest living trees
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Temple & Sacred
Jetavanaramaya Stupa and Monastery — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Archaeology fans; stand before one of the tallest ancient brick monuments on earth
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Wildlife & Safari
Kaudulla National Park Safari — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Safari-goers avoiding crowds; quieter elephant park beside Minneriya
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Temple & Sacred
Mihintale Rock and Temple Complex — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
View seekers and pilgrims; climb 1,840 steps to the cradle of Sri Lankan Buddhism
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Wildlife & Safari
Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Wildlife lovers and families; afternoon jeep safari with the Gathering elephants
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Hike & Viewpoint
Parakrama Samudra Reservoir — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Engineering and sunset fans; walk the bund of a 12th-century inland sea
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Heritage
Polonnaruwa Vatadage — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Architecture fans; admire the finest stone carving in the Quadrangle
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Hike & Viewpoint
Ritigala Forest Monastery — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Hikers and solitude seekers; jungle ruins of a strict forest hermitage
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Heritage
Royal Palace Complex of King Parakramabahu — Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
History buffs and families; wander the seven-storey palace ruins and audience hall
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Heritage
Ruwanwelisaya (Ruwanwelimaha Seya) — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Culture seekers and photographers; walk the great white stupa at sunrise or full-moon poya
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Temple & Sacred
Thuparamaya Dagoba — Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Pilgrims and first-time visitors; see the first stupa of Sri Lanka
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