Cultural Triangle
Polonnaruwa
The island's second ancient capital — best seen slowly, by bicycle, early in the day.
Polonnaruwa was the capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th and 12th centuries and the ruins are unusually compact and legible: royal palace, council chamber, a Hindu quarter left by the Chola invaders, and the Gal Vihara, four colossal Buddha figures carved from a single granite wall. Most people take a bicycle and a guide and are done before the midday heat.
Things to do
