Few capitals around the world have been as long lasting as Anuradhapura. Dating back to the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura was the first civilisation in Sri Lanka and was the spiritual and secular capital of the island for well over a millennium. Despite numerous assaults from South Indian invaders, the city flourished and endured until 993 AD, when a final attack brought it to its knees. At its height, the city was dotted with monasteries and was home to over ten thousand monks, and the colossal dagobas were the second largest man-made structures in the world at the time of their construction, beaten only by the pyramids of Egypt. It’s little surprise that the city is a World Heritage Site. Despite its high importance in the history of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura lies a little way from the main tourist trail and so is not frequented by as many visitors as the ancient ruins in the Cultural Triangle, and hotel options in this area are limited. We highly recommend Ulagalla Resort by Uga Escapes, a luxurious eco-hotel which offers secluded accommodation in tranquil surroundings that attract a wide variety of local wildlife.