By air
Bandaranaike (CMB), ~5 h by road
Indian Ocean Islands · Sri Lanka
Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
A medieval capital of great stone Buddhas
Getting there
Best time to visit
January to April — dry in the Cultural Triangle
Don't miss
The Gal Vihara
The Royal Palace
The Vatadage
Parakrama Samudra
Things to do
Cycling the ruins
The Parakrama Samudra reservoir at sunset
Minneriya's elephants
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
What to pack
Sun hat, water, modest clothing
A quieter corner
Medirigiriya's ancient round temple, an hour away
Questions travellers ask
How should I explore Polonnaruwa?
Cycle the ruins, and make time for the Gal Vihara, the Royal Palace and the Vatadage.
What should I do at sunset in Polonnaruwa?
Head to the Parakrama Samudra reservoir, then try the lake fish curries.
Is Medirigiriya worth a detour from Polonnaruwa?
Yes: its ancient round temple is the hidden gem here, about an hour away. Minneriya's elephants make another outing.
When is Polonnaruwa at its driest?
January to April, when the Cultural Triangle is dry. Pack a sun hat, water and modest clothing.
About Polonnaruwa
- Lakeside
Where it is
Polonnaruwa lies in North Central Province, Sri Lanka, in the island's dry zone on the eastern shore of the vast Parakrama Samudra reservoir, south-east of Anuradhapura.
History
Polonnaruwa became Sri Lanka's capital after Anuradhapura fell, first under the Chola rulers of southern India and then under the Sinhalese kings who drove them out. It reached its height under Parakramabahu I in the 12th century, who built the great reservoir, palaces and temples, and the ancient city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
People
Polonnaruwa's people speak Sinhala and Tamil, and the district is one of Sri Lanka's great rice-growing areas, watered by reservoirs old and new. Villagers fish in the reservoirs, and pilgrims visit the ancient Buddhist shrines, especially on Poya full-moon days.
Known for
- The rock-cut Buddhas of the Gal Vihara
- The Vatadage, a circular relic house
- The royal palace and council chamber ruins
- The Parakrama Samudra reservoir
- Elephants at nearby Minneriya
Did you know?
The four Buddha images of the Gal Vihara, among them a reclining Buddha about 14 m long, were carved from a single granite rock face in the 12th century.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.