The North Central Plains in Sri Lanka, mostly covered by rough jungle and isolated mountains is also home to Sri Lanka’s oldest sites of cultural heritage. This area, known as the Cultural Triangle, is also called ‘rajarata’ which means ‘King’s country’. A tour in the cultural triangle of sri Lanka will help you get a holistic understanding of Sri Lanka’s ancient history and its Buddhist heritage. The cultural triangle is also popular destination for Sri Lankans who go on pilgrimages, exhibiting their intense devoutness to their faith. The ‘points’ of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka are the Hill Capital of Kandy, Anuradhapura (which was the first Sinhalese capital city) and the old city of Polonnaruwa. The cultural triangle is a goldmine of imperial cities, ancient monuments and Buddhist temples that once were the central focus of Sri Lanka’s civilization. Anuradhapura is renowned as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, some constructions here can date back to more than 2000 years old. Being one of the most sacred cities for Buddhists and Buddhism worldwide, Anuradhapura is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pollonnaruwa is the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka and is renowned for its organized layout and many important monuments such as the famous statue of king Parakramabahu, one of the most important kings of Sri Lanka. Kandy, which is the largest city in Sri Lanka outside Colombo, was the final seat of Sri Lankan kings before the British finally completely controlled the country. It’s most famous destination is the Temple of the Tooth, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dramatic rock fortress rising out of the brush jungle, Sigiriya, also lies within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Other highlights in this area of Sri Lanka include the cave temples of Dambulla and the historical point of Mihintale, a beautiful climb which renders views, while not quite as mindblowing as Sigiriya’s, are almost as good. If you have more time on your hands at the Cultural Triangle, why not visit a few lesser known spots such as the impressive, rick carved standing-Buddha of Aukana, the deserted city of Yapahuwa, the enigmatic jungle monastery of Ritigala and the Aluvihare cave temples with their mesmerizingly intricate mural work. The Cultural Triangle also holds Minneriya, a wildlife reserve that during the months of September and October, host one of the most important elephant gatherings in Sri Lanka. The Cultural Triangle also has some scintillatingly beautiful resorts and hotels for the discerning traveler to Sri Lanka. If in Sigirya, which is a must visit for any first time traveler to Sri Lanka, choose Jetwing Vil Uyana to stay among paddy fields, reed beds and what is known as the first man made lake in the Cultural Triangle since the era of the kings of old. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is also a centrally located resort nestled within natural serenity. Heritance Kandalama and Amaya Lake are also popular hotels chosen by travelers to the Cultural Triangle. Ulugalla Resort is one of the best places from which to enjoy the ancient monuments of Anuradhapura, the jewel on the crown of the Cultural Triangle. The Samadhi Center in Kandy is a popular destination for those more spiritually inclined, and it is one of the most welcoming places in the Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka itself for travelers looking to access the mystic arts of meditation. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Amaya Hills are more traditional luxury resorts for your to cool your feet after some beautiful treks in the surrounding hillsides of Kandy. Kandy can be reached by a 4 hour drive from Colombo, Anuradhapura is about a 6 hour drive. The ‘points’ of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka are the Hill Capital of Kandy, Anuradhapura (which was the first Sinhalese capital city) and the old city of Polonnaruwa. The cultural triangle is a goldmine of imperial cities, ancient monuments and Buddhist temples that once were the central focus of Sri Lanka’s civilization. Anuradhapura is renowned as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, some constructions here can date back to more than 2000 years old. Being one of the most sacred cities for Buddhists and Buddhism worldwide, Anuradhapura is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pollonnaruwa is the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka and is renowned for its organized layout and many important monuments such as the famous statue of king Parakramabahu, one of the most important kings of Sri Lanka. Kandy, which is the largest city in Sri Lanka outside Colombo, was the final seat of Sri Lankan kings before the British finally completely controlled the country. It’s most famous destination is the Temple of the Tooth, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dramatic rock fortress rising out of the brush jungle, Sigiriya, also lies within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Other highlights in this area of Sri Lanka include the cave temples of Dambulla and the historical point of Mihintale, a beautiful climb which renders views, while not quite as mindblowing as Sigiriya’s, are almost as good. If you have more time on your hands at the Cultural Triangle, why not visit a few lesser known spots such as the impressive, rick carved standing-Buddha of Aukana, the deserted city of Yapahuwa, the enigmatic jungle monastery of Ritigala and the Aluvihare cave temples with their mesmerizingly intricate mural work. The Cultural Triangle also holds Minneriya, a wildlife reserve that during the months of September and October, host one of the most important elephant gatherings in Sri Lanka. The Cultural Triangle also has some scintillatingly beautiful resorts and hotels for the discerning traveler to Sri Lanka. If in Sigirya, which is a must visit for any first time traveler to Sri Lanka, choose Jetwing Vil Uyana to stay among paddy fields, reed beds and what is known as the first man made lake in the Cultural Triangle since the era of the kings of old. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is also a centrally located resort nestled within natural serenity. Heritance Kandalama and Amaya Lake are also popular hotels chosen by travelers to the Cultural Triangle. Ulugalla Resort is one of the best places from which to enjoy the ancient monuments of Anuradhapura, the jewel on the crown of the Cultural Triangle. The Samadhi Center in Kandy is a popular destination for those more spiritually inclined, and it is one of the most welcoming places in the Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka itself for travelers looking to access the mystic arts of meditation. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Amaya Hills are more traditional luxury resorts for your to cool your feet after some beautiful treks in the surrounding hillsides of Kandy. Kandy can be reached by a 4 hour drive from Colombo, Anuradhapura is about a 6 hour drive. The ‘points’ of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka are the Hill Capital of Kandy, Anuradhapura (which was the first Sinhalese capital city,) and the old city of Polonnaruwa. The cultural triangle is a goldmine of imperial cities, ancient monuments,s and Buddhist temples that once were the central focus of Sri Lanka’s civilization. Anuradhapura is renowned as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, some constructions here can date back more than 2000 years old. Being one of the most sacred cities for Buddhists and Buddhism worldwide, Anuradhapura is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pollonnaruwa is the second most ancient city in Sri Lanka and is renowned for its organized layout and many important monuments such as the famous statue of king Parakramabahu, one of the most important kings of Sri Lanka. Kandy, which is the largest city in Sri Lanka outside Colombo, was the final seat of Sri Lankan kings before the British finally completely controlled the country. Its most famous destination is the Temple of the Tooth, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dramatic rock fortress rising out of the brush jungle, Sigiriya, also lies within the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. Other highlights in this area of Sri Lanka include the cave temples of Dambulla and the historical point of Mihintale, a beautiful climb that renders views, while not quite as mindblowing as Sigiriya’s, almost as good. If you have more time on your hands at the Cultural Triangle, why not visit a few lesser-known spots such as the impressive, rick-carved standing Buddha of Aukana, the deserted city of Yapahuwa, the enigmatic jungle monastery of Ritigala and the Aluvihare cave temples with their mesmerizingly intricate mural work. The Cultural Triangle also holds Minneriya, a wildlife reserve that during the months of September and October, hosts one of the most important elephant gatherings in Sri Lanka. The Cultural Triangle also has some scintillatingly beautiful resorts and hotels for the discerning traveler to Sri Lanka. If in Sigirya, which is a must-visit for any first-time traveler to Sri Lanka, choose Jetwing Vil Uyana to stay among paddy fields, reed beds,s and what is known as the first man-made lake in the Cultural Triangle since the era of the kings of old. Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is also a centrally located resort nestled within natural serenity. Heritance Kandalama and Amaya Lake are also popular hotels chosen by travelers to the Cultural Triangle. Ulugalla Resort is one of the best places from which to enjoy the ancient monuments of Anuradhapura, the jewel on the crown of the Cultural Triangle. The Samadhi Center in Kandy is a popular destination for those more spiritually inclined, and it is one of the most welcoming places in the Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka itself for travelers looking to access the mystic arts of meditation. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and Amaya Hills are more traditional luxury resorts for your to cool your feet after some beautiful treks in the surrounding hillsides of Kandy. Kandy can be reached by a 4-hour drive from Colombo, and Anuradhapura is about a 6-hour drive.