Cultural Triangle

Sri Lanka's cultural triangle is drawn with three great Royal Sinhalese capitals from its former glory days. Kandy, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura namely three great cities consist of some of the world's greatest Buddhist arts and architecture. Dambulla and Sigiriya also fall inside this triangle.

Sri Lanka contains an astonishing seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its compact shores – the same number as heritage-packed Egypt. Six cultural sites are a testament to a civilization with over 2,000 years of recorded history, while a seventh natural site boasts some of the highest biodiversity found outside the Amazon basin.

From colossal ancient monuments and serene rock carvings in sprawling ruined cities to a 5th-century AD king’s palace in the clouds, the World Heritage Sites showcase the island’s rich history and contribution to civilization. The largest and most dramatic of these are located in the so-called Cultural Triangle, the area formed by linking the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandy. It’s a living heritage, where the visitor will see Buddhist monks and reverent devotees and hear the hypnotic murmur of religious invocations – all of which bring the crumbling brick temples, granite statues, and towering dagobas of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities to life.

Through the heritage sites, the visitor can re-live some of the seminal episodes in the island’s past – the introduction of Buddhism, which inspired kings to undertake astounding feats of engineering; the complex palace intrigues; the repeated invasions and conquests; and ultimately, the capitulation to the European colonial powers.

Experiencing Sri Lanka’s heritage sites takes you on a spiritual journey that will uplift and amaze, inspire and refresh. The island’s compact dimensions mean that it is possible to combine a visit to several of these marvels in the Cultural Triangle during even the briefest of visits.

There is so much to see and experience within this triangle. You should plan early and make a list of iconic places. Then if you have more time you can chip in to see the extras for a bonus.

The region is mostly dry and receives very little rain throughout the year. November and December have the highest rainfall. All between June and July.

Tour options

• Mini Tour 4 Days / 3 Nights

• Cultural Heritage Tour 5 Days / 4 Nights

• Best of Sri Lanka Tour 7 Days / 6 Nights

• Scenic Sri Lanka Tour 10 Days / 9 Nights

• Round tour Ayurveda 10 Days / 9 Nights

• Ultimate Sri Lanka 15 Days / 14 Nights

• Honeymoon Tour 7 Days / 6 Nights