Cultural Triangle overview

A total of 2,500 years of Sri Lankan history are found beneath the encroaching jungle of the Cultural Triangle, where ancient capitals offer rare insights into the rich historic civilisation. The Golden Temple of Dambulla is the traditional centre of the Cultural Triangle and an ideal base to explore surrounding sites. The Lion Rock at Sigiriya is a breathtaking natural fortress, towering over the verdant countryside, while the medieval capital at Polonnaruwa is adorned with miles of ruins, friezes and temples that will titillate archaeologists. Anuradhapura is another ancient city, supposedly once the greatest in antiquity, while the Galvihara Buddhist rock carvings are equally impressive. The UNESCO World Heritage Site area contains historic landmarks too numerable to list and is an easy three hour drive from the ever-tempting waters of the East Coast.