Free Walking Sightseeing Tour #1 in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Legend

Churches & Art
Nature
Water & Wind
Historical
Heritage & Space
Tourism
Paid Tours & Activities

Tour Facts

Number of sights 5 sights
Distance 4.7 km
Ascend 48 m
Descend 47 m

Explore Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka with this free self-guided walking tour. The map shows the route of the tour. Below is a list of attractions, including their details.

Activities in AnuradhapuraIndividual Sights in Anuradhapura

Sight 1: Isurumuni Viharaya

Show sight on map

Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of special interest in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family.

Wikipedia: Isurumuniya (EN)

1963 meters / 24 minutes

Sight 2: Archaelogical Museum

Show sight on map

Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum is the oldest and the largest museum belonging to the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.

Wikipedia: Anuradhapura Museum (EN), Website

675 meters / 8 minutes

Sight 3: Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba

Show sight on map

The Ruwanweli Maha Seya, also known as the swarnamali maha seya, is a stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Two quarts or one Dona of the Buddha's relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere. It was built by Sinhalese King Dutugemunu in c. 140 B.C., who became king of Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elāra (Ellalan) was defeated. It is also known as Swarnamali Seya, Svaṇṇamāli Mahaceti and Rathnamali Seya.

Wikipedia: Ruwanwelisaya (EN)

619 meters / 7 minutes

Sight 4: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Show sight on map
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi A Derivative Work by MediaJet, from Images Credited above. / CC BY 2.0

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a historical sacred bo tree in the Mahamewuna Garden in historical city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This is believed to be a tree grown from a cutting of the southern branch from the historical sacred bo tree, Sri Maha Bodhi, which was destroyed during the time of Emperor Ashoka the Great, at Buddha Gaya in India, under which Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) attained Enlightenment. The Buddhist nun Sangamitta Maha Theri, a daughter of Indian Emperor Ashoka, in 236 BC, brought the tree cutting to Sri Lanka during the reign of Sinhalese King Devanampiya Tissa.[1] At more than 2,300 years old, it is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. The Mahavamsa, or the great chronicle of the Sinhalese, provides an elaborate account of the establishment of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi on the Island and the subsequent development of the site as a major Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Wikipedia: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (EN)

1439 meters / 17 minutes

Sight 5: Jethavana Dagoba

Show sight on map

The Jetavanarama stupa or Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, or Buddhist reliquary monument, located in the ruins of Jetavana monastery in the UNESCO world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. At 122 metres (400 ft), it was the world's tallest stupa, and the third tallest structure in the world when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301). He initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of the Mahaviharaya of Anuradhapura. His son Kithsirimevan completed the construction of the stupa, and it was renovated by Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa. A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

Wikipedia: Jetavanaramaya (EN)

Share

Spread the word! Share this page with your friends and family.

Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

GPX-Download For navigation apps and GPS devices you can download the tour as a GPX file.