After breakfast, check out the hotel and proceed for the Anuradhapura. Before we leave the town, we take a quick stop to view the fish market of Negombo. Here the fishermen bring their fresh catches that include crabs, prawns, and other marine products.
In about two and a half hour or a little more, we arrive at Yapahuwa - a temporary capital of medieval Sri Lanka. Here, we stop to visit the citadel built around a huge granite rock, standing dramatically a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands! It can be challenging to climb a series of about 500 steps, but it's worth it! Atop are the old temple ruins and of course-the 360-degree views!
Once in Anuradhapura, we visit the ancient city- a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya- a sacred fig tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, which is believed to be a sapling of the original Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya, India. It was under this tree where Lord Buddha meditated and attained Enlightenment! Nearby is Ruwanweliseya Stupa, a 338 ft tall white structure, which was built in 140 B.C. and contained Buddha's relics.
Another significant temple is Thuparamaya, which is among the earliest stupas of Sri Lanka. Time permitting, visit the Abeygiri and Jetawana monasteries, rock-cut statues of Lord Buddha and ruins of palaces and Isurumuniya rock temple.