The Cultural Triangle: Sigiriya, Dambulla and the ancient cities
The dry-zone heart of the island, where most first trips begin: the rock at Sigiriya, the cave temple at Dambulla and the old capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
Read these to decide what to see, in what order, and how to visit each place with respect.
Is Sigiriya worth climbing? What you see, and what most visitors miss
Yes, if you know what you are looking at: a 5th-century royal capital on a 180 m rock. What the climb involves, the fee, and what most visitors miss.
Sigiriya or Pidurangala? What each climb gives you
Climb Sigiriya to understand the site; climb Pidurangala to see the rock itself. Many visitors do both in one day. What each climb involves (October 2026).
The Dambulla cave temple: what the five caves hold
Five cave shrines with 157 statues and about 2,100 m² of paintings, used for over 2,000 years. What each cave holds, and how to visit (Oct 2026).
Anuradhapura in a day: what to see in the first capital
One day: the Sri Maha Bodhi, the great dagobas, the Samadhi Buddha and the Twin Ponds. What each is, the US$30 ticket and getting around (Oct 2026).
Polonnaruwa: how to see the medieval capital by bicycle
Polonnaruwa's ruins run about 4 km north to south on flat ground, so many visitors cycle. The route, the US$30 ticket and what each ruin is (Oct 2026).
The Gathering at Minneriya: when and why the elephants come
From about June to October, hundreds of elephants gather on the drying Minneriya and Kaudulla reservoirs. When to go, why they come, and how to watch well.