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Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi: Our most recommended tours and activities

Ancient City: Anuradhapura Tuk Tuk Tour

1. Ancient City: Anuradhapura Tuk Tuk Tour

Unparalleled flexibility allows you to customize this tour to your interests. Immerse yourself in the tuk tuk ride and stay informed with our informative Audio Guide tour app, which provides details about over 14 sites, such as historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes. It's like having a local guide accompanying you. Experience the highlights of Anuradhapura in a fun and unique way, in your own private tuk tuk. Explore renowned sites such as the World's oldest tree, the Kuttam Pokuna bathing pools, and the Isurumuniya Temple, along with other World Heritage sites. Get picked up and dropped off at your hotel or any other location of your choice for added convenience. Our tuk tuk drivers have over ten years of expertise with tuk tuks and the highways they travel on. We have a 24-hour ambulance service to put you in safe hands in an emergency. Furthermore, it is how we keep the industry's highest client retention rate, as well as government-friendly tourism service. Don't miss out on this opportunity to book your tuk tuk tour today and embark on a stylish journey through the ancient city of Anuradhapura!

From Negombo: Full-Day Unesco City of Anuradhapura Trip

2. From Negombo: Full-Day Unesco City of Anuradhapura Trip

Declared by UNESCO as a world heritage city, Anuradhapura is regarded as Sri Lanka’s first known kingdom and the capital of the island for many centuries. Being well known for its cultural and religious value, the city attracts many local and foreign visitors who want to explore the ancient history of Sri Lanka.  See the remains of the Brazen Palace, which was once 9 stories high, and the Sri Maha Bodhi a Bo Tree, which is over 2000 years old and grew from the branch of the very tree beneath which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Visit the ruins of the Ruwanweliseya Dagaba and see the 2nd-century BC shrine, containing the Buddha’s collarbone relic. Explore the Abhayagiriya temple and the Jetawanaramaya dagobas.

From Anuradhapura: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Tuk-Tuk

3. From Anuradhapura: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Tuk-Tuk

08.00 am: Embark on a Tuk-Tuk adventure as you are picked up from your Anuradhapura hotel. 08.30 am: Begin your city tour of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world's oldest inhabited towns. Immerse yourself in the rich history and significance of Anuradhapura, which was once the center of Theravada Buddhism. Explore the well-preserved historical ruins dating from the centuries between the 4th century BC and the 11th century AD. During this comprehensive city tour, visit prominent relic chambers such as Ruwanveliseya, Abhayagiriya, and Jetavanaramaya, known for being the world's largest man-made brick buildings. Admire the Moonstone and Guard Stones, and explore the iconic landmarks of Thuparama and Lankaramaya Dagobas, the Brazen Palace, Twin Ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue, and the remarkable rock carvings at Isurumuniya Temple. Find solace and tranquility under the shade of the sacred 'Sri Maha Bodhi' tree, believed to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago. The 'Sri Maha Bodhi' is revered as the world's oldest human-planted tree. 11.30 am: At the completion of your city tour, return to your hotel in Anuradhapura, reflecting on the fascinating history and cultural heritage you have experienced.

From Anuradhapura: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Bike

4. From Anuradhapura: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Bike

08.00 am: Embark on a bike adventure as you are picked up from your Anuradhapura hotel. 08.30 am: Begin your city tour of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world's oldest inhabited towns. Immerse yourself in the rich history and significance of Anuradhapura, which was once the center of Theravada Buddhism. Explore the well-preserved historical ruins dating from the centuries between the 4th century BC and the 11th century AD. During this comprehensive city tour, visit prominent relic chambers such as Ruwanveliseya, Abhayagiriya, and Jetavanaramaya, known for being the world's largest man-made brick buildings. Admire the Moonstone and Guard Stones, and explore the iconic landmarks of Thuparama and Lankaramaya Dagobas, the Brazen Palace, Twin Ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue, and the remarkable rock carvings at Isurumuniya Temple. Find solace and tranquility under the shade of the sacred 'Sri Maha Bodhi' tree, believed to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago. The 'Sri Maha Bodhi' is revered as the world's oldest human-planted tree. 11.30 am: At the completion of your city tour, return to your hotel in Anuradhapura, reflecting on the fascinating history and cultural heritage you have experienced.

From Dambulla/Sigiriya: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Bike

5. From Dambulla/Sigiriya: Ancient City of Anuradhapura by Bike

08.00 am: Embark on a bike adventure as you are picked up from your Anuradhapura hotel. 09.30 am: Begin your city tour of the ancient city of Anuradhapura, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world's oldest inhabited towns. Immerse yourself in the rich history and significance of Anuradhapura, which was once the center of Theravada Buddhism. Explore the well-preserved historical ruins dating from the centuries between the 4th century BC and the 11th century AD. During this comprehensive city tour, visit prominent relic chambers such as Ruwanveliseya, Abhayagiriya, and Jetavanaramaya, known for being the world's largest man-made brick buildings. Admire the Moonstone and Guard Stones, and explore the iconic landmarks of Thuparama and Lankaramaya Dagobas, the Brazen Palace, Twin Ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue, and the remarkable rock carvings at Isurumuniya Temple. Find solace and tranquility under the shade of the sacred 'Sri Maha Bodhi' tree, believed to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago. The 'Sri Maha Bodhi' is revered as the world's oldest human-planted tree. 12.30 pm: At the completion of your city tour, return to your hotel in Anuradhapura, reflecting on the fascinating history and cultural heritage you have experienced.

From Colombo: Anuradhapura Day Tour

6. From Colombo: Anuradhapura Day Tour

Following hotel pick-up by your driver and guide at 06:00 from the Colombo City area, you'll start for Anuradhapura. On arrival at Anuradhapura, your first stop will be the Anuradhapura World Heritage Site and ruins. Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ruins depicting the illustrious ancient Lankan civilization. There are several exciting locations one can visit. Namely, the majestic Ruwanweliseya Stupa, one of the most significant structures of the ancient world, Brazen Palace with its 1,600 stone columns showing the remnants of a multi-storied residence for monks, Isurumuniya rock carving of 'The Two Lovers', the twin ponds used by Buddhist monks as a bathing pool and Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest Dagoba in the country believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha himself and several other dagobas. Next, you'll head to explore Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. The Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is reckoned as the oldest surviving historical tree in the world. It was brought to Sri Lanka by Theri Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka and was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura in 249 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. Then start for Jethawanaramaya Stupa. The Jethawana stupa, the central ritual monument of the Jethawana monastery, had a diameter of 370 feet. Established in the 3rd century A.D., the monastery was the residence of 3,000 monks. Recent excavations confirm that the foundation of the stupa was 28 feet deep and rested on bedrock. This stupa, the tallest brick structure in the world, was built in keeping with engineering principles which are fol­lowed even today.  You'll explore Abhayagiri Dagoba. The Abhayagiri Dagoba is the second giant brick structure in the world after the Jetavana Dagoba. It was built by King Gajabahu (114-136 AD) and reached a height of 370 feet (115m). After lunch at a local restaurant at your own cost, proceed to Moonstone or Sandakada Pahana. Sandakada Pahana, also known as Moon-stone, is a unique feature of the Sri Lankan Buddhist architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy periods. Later visit Mihintale. Mihintale hill is where King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura met Mahinda, a Buddhist monk and son of the Indian Buddhist Emperor, Ashoka. Mahinda asked the king a riddle, and when the king solved it, Mahinda deemed him a worthy disciple and converted him to Buddhism. There are religious monuments all over the hill and the ruins of a monastery and a hospital.  At approximately 20:00, you'll return to your hotel in Colombo, where the tour will end.

From Dambulla: Guided Tour to Ancient City of Anuradhapura

7. From Dambulla: Guided Tour to Ancient City of Anuradhapura

08.00: Embark on a fascinating journey with a pick-up from your hotel, as you head towards Anuradhapura. 09.30: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Anuradhapura, one of the world's oldest inhabited towns and a Unesco World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient city's well-preserved historical ruins dating back centuries (4th century BC – 11th century AD). During this city tour, visit remarkable relic chambers like Ruwanveliseya, Abhayagiriya, and Jetavanaramaya, known for being the world's largest man-made brick buildings. Discover other iconic landmarks such as The Moonstone, The Guard Stones, Thuparama and Lankaramaya Dagobas, The Brazen Palace, Twin Ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue, and Isurumuniya Temple with its exquisite rock carvings. Allow the serene shade of the 'Sri Maha Bodhi,' grown from a branch of the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago, to bring you comfort and tranquility. The 'Sri Maha Bodhi' is revered as the world's oldest human-planted tree. 13.00: As the city tour comes to an end, proceed back to your hotel, reflecting on the captivating history and cultural heritage experienced in Anuradhapura.

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