North Central
Mihintale
The hill where Buddhism arrived in Sri Lanka — 1,840 granite steps and a long view.
Mihintale is where, in 247 BC, the monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa and Buddhism entered Sri Lanka. It is a short drive from Anuradhapura and usually visited on the same day: a broad stairway of 1,840 steps climbs past monastic ruins to a white stupa and a view over the dry-zone plain.
Things to do