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This destination is recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Click to view list of World Heritage Sites documented by AsiaExplorers.
Polonnaruwa Travel Guide
Second Ancient Capital of Sri Lanka and Unesco World Heritage Site

Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Polonnaruwa, go to Polonnaruwa Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.


The medieval city of Polonnaruwa was the capital of the second civilisation to establish itself in ancient Lanka after Anuradhapura. It was the seat of the Sinhala Kingdom between the middle of the 11th century to the 13th century.

Grew out of the arid plains of the north, the kingdom in Polonnaruwa depended heavily on channelled water to irrigate its fields. This demanded the construction of massive irrigation projects. Although the civilisation in Sri Lanka is not as popular, their engineering feat rival those of Angkor, Egypt and ancient China.


Rankot Vihara Dagoba in Polonnaruwa.
Rankot Vihara Dagoba in Polonnaruwa.


The greatest king in Polonnaruwa is Parakramabahu I, a warrior and great builder. It was he who build the massive Parakrama Samudra. It is worth exploring Polonnaruwa to appreciate the engineering marvels of a civilisation that flourished a millenium ago, that today makes Polonnaruwa worthy of recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site.




Parakrama Samudra

Parakrama Samudra

Great irrigation pond of King Parakramabahu.

Parakrama Samudra
Vijayanta Pasada

King Parakramabahu's Palace

Ruins of King Parakramabahu's 12th century palace.

Vijayanta Pasada, the Parakramabahu's Palace
King Parakramabahu's Council Chamber

King Parakramabahu's Council Chamber

Audience hall of King Parakramabahu with elaborately sculptured walls.

Parakramabahu's Chamber
Shiva Devale Hindu Temple

Shiva Devale

Ruins of a Hindu temple built by South Indian invaders.

Shiva Devale
Thuparama Image House

Thuparama Image House

The best preserved ancient building in Polonnaruwa.

Thuparama Image House
Vatadage

Vatadage Circular Relic House

Built in the 7th century, the Vatadage is the oldest monument in Polonnaruwa.

Vatadage
Lata Mandapa Pavillion

Lata Mandapa

Pavillion of King Nissanka Malla.

Lata Mandapa
Atadage Tooth Relic Shrine

Atadage

The first Tooth Relic Shrine of Polonnaruwa, built in the 11th century by King Vijayabahu.

Atadage
Hatadage Tooth Relic Shrine

Hatadage

The second Tooth Relic Shrine of Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th century by King Nissanka Malla.

Hatadage
Gal Pota Stone Book

Gal Pota

The Stone Book of King Nissanka Malla.

Gal Pota
Satmahal Prasada Seven Storey Edifice

Satmahal Prasada

An unusual stupa in the form of a seven-tiered step pyramid.

Satmahal Prasada
Rankot Vihara

Rankot Vihara

Nissanka Malla's golden pinnacle dagoba.

Rankot Vihara
Gal Vihara

Gal Vihara

The famous rock sculptures of Polonnaruwa.

Gal Vihara


Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Useful tips for preparing your trip to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Travel Guide

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How much have you explored Sri Lanka? Through AsiaExplorers, you can now explore these places in Sri Lanka from the comfort of your desk: Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura (Abhayagiri Giant Pond, Abhayagiri Monastery, Dakkhina Stupa, Jetavana Dagoba, Kuttam Pokuna Twin Ponds, Lankarama Dagoba, Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Thuparama Dagoba, Aukana Buddha), Colombo, (Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Dutch Period Museum, Fort District, Fort Railway Station, Galle Face Hotel, Independence Memorial Hall, Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, National Museum, Old Town Hall, Pettah District, Seema Malakaya Meditation Centre, Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Temple, Town Hall, Viharamahadevi Park), Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle Fort, Kandy (Sri Dalada Maligawa, Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Kohomba Kankariya Folk Dance, Queens Hotel), Mihintale, Negombo, Nuwara Eliya (Tea Factory Hotel, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Polonnaruwa (Atadage, Gal Pota, Gal Vihara, Hatadage, Lata Mandapa, Parakrama Samudra, Parakramabahu's Council Chamber, Rankot Vihara, Satmahal Prasada, Shiva Devale, Thuparama Image House, Vatadage, Vijayanta Pasada), Ramboda Falls, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Durians

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