Polonnaruwa Ancient City
Polonnaruwa Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was Sri Lanka’s royal capital in the 11th and 12th centuries. It showcases the island’s rich history through well-preserved ruins of palaces, temples, statues, and stupas, reflecting the grandeur of ancient Sinhalese civilization
Province
North Central Province
District
Polonnaruwa
How to get to Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa is located about 140 km northeast of Kandy and around 215 km from Colombo.
The easiest way to reach it is by private car or taxi, which takes about 4–5 hours from Colombo or 3–4 hours from Kandy.
Travelers can also take a train to Habarana and continue by bus or tuk-tuk for the remaining 45 km or take a direct bus from major cities like Colombo, Kandy, or Dambulla.
Once the glorious capital of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings, Polonnaruwa stands today as a stunning open-air museum of history and culture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals the island’s golden age through beautifully preserved temples, vast reservoirs, and intricate stone carvings that tell stories of a sophisticated and artistic civilization. Walking among the ruins, visitors can almost feel the echoes of royal processions and the spiritual serenity that once filled this sacred city, making Polonnaruwa a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to experience the soul of ancient Sri Lanka.
