Cultural Triangle

Dive into the heart of Sri Lanka’s history and heritage.

Unravel the ancient stories that lie behind the Cultural Triangle.

A treasures chest of historic monuments, religious stupas, royal cities and towering fortress’, take a stroll back in time as you admire the very beginning of Sri Lanka. The three points of the Cultural Triangle are designated by the 3 ancient capitals; Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temples; along with several other significant sites, lies nestled within the triangle. Many of the structures found here are known to date back 2000 years, most of which have been protected and marked as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin your explorations and adventures in Sri Lanka with an unforgettable journey to the Cultural Triangle. Learn the stories of kings and queens, of the Buddha and his teachings as you unravel the secrets and treasures within the historic cities.

Getting There

The Cultural Triangle can be accessed via road network from the Bandaranaike International Airport. It takes approximately 4 hours to Anuradhapura, 5 hours to Polonnaruwa and 4 hours to reach Kandy from the airport.

Historical Background

The Cultural Triangle is the hub of history and heritage in Sri Lanka. It is the start of civilization, marked by Buddhism and agriculture. This is where the ancient practises of Ayurvedic healing stemmed from, where great structures and engineering marvels were built, where kingdoms rose and fell. Anuradhapura was the island’s first capital and was ruled by over 100 Sri Lankan monarchs from 4^th century BC to 11^th century AD. Anuradhapura eventually became one of the greatest cities in Asia in terms of grand complexes, temples and irrigation system that was well beyond it’s time. The medieval city of Polonnaruwa became the capital in 1073 during the reign of King Vijayabahu I and Parakramabahu I ruled. Polonnaruwa remained as the country’s capital city until the 13^th century. In 1592, Kandy became the last royal capital city of Sri Lanka, before the island fell to the hands of its invaders. Other important sites within the triangle are Sigiriya, Dambulla and Mihintale.

Shopping

Shopping is not common at the Cultural Triangle, however, one is sure to find small stores and street stalls selling local items from groceries to food.

Things to do in the Cultural Triangle

Discover the treasures of the Cultural Triangle. Visit the 3 ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and everything in between.

Polonnaruwa – Walk through and discover the various remnants of this ancient city, from building structures to ruins of sculptures and shrines.
Anuradhapura – Discover the temples, monasteries, bathing pools, buildings and other structures connected by a complex, sophisticated irrigation system. The city is also home to the sacred Bo tree; which originally was a branch from the Bodh Gaya in India.
Aukana – A 12m, free standing statue of Lord Buddha built during the 5^th century, the Aukana Buddha statue was carved from a single rock.
Dambulla Cave Temples – Over 2000 years old, the Dambulla Cave Temples are a collection of image houses with painted frescoes that depict the early life of the Buddha. The 14m long statue of the Buddha should not be missed.
Mihintale – Mihintale is known to be the birthplace of Buddhism in 3^rd century BC; this historic site is home to a 40ft dagoba.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress – An ancient fortress in the sky built by King Kasyapa in the 5^th century AD, who built his kingdom around the rock.
Minneriya National Park – Famed around the world for the largest gathering of wild Asian elephants, Minneriya National Park is also home to leopards, sloth bears, wild boars and many more.

Best time to visit the Cultural Triangle

The main locales within the Cultural Triangle are situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, where rainfall occurs only in November and December. Apart from the months of June and July which brings about hot winds, the rest of the year is quite pleasant to visit the Cultural Triangle.

Popular events in the Cultural Triangle

Vesak in Mihintale: Occurs on the full moon of May and June. The full moon in May marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha, while the full moon in June signifies the introduction of Buddhism to the country.
Elephant Gathering in Minneriya – The Minneriya National Park lies within the protected area of the Cultural Triangle. It is famed for the largest gathering of wild Asian elephants during the months of August and September.