Royal palace
Towering walls.
Dan Lundberg — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Cherubino — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cherubino — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dan Lundberg — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Sasha India — CC BY 2.0 · Z thomas — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Daibo Taku — CC BY 3.0 · Z thomas — CC BY-SA 4.0
Sri Lanka's second ancient capital after Anuradhapura, which flourished between the 11th and 13th centuries. Its ruins are still spread among the trees over a wide area beside a great lake, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city peaked under King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century, who is said to have insisted that not a drop of rain should reach the sea unused. He built vast irrigation works, the greatest being the Parakrama Samudra, the Sea of Parakrama, which still waters rice fields today. Highlights include the royal palace with its towering brick walls, the council chamber with stone pillars and carved lions, the royal bath Kumara Pokuna, the stone Lotus Pond and great Buddhist stupas such as Rankoth Vehera. Macaques have lived among the ruins for centuries. Foreign adults pay USD 30 and children USD 15, per the Central Cultural Fund, and tickets are sold at the archaeological museum near the entrance, per visitor guides. The sites are spread out, so hire a bicycle or a tuk-tuk, start early, and cover shoulders and knees for the religious sites.
Towering walls.
And its lions.
The great tank.
Polonnaruwa, North Central Province
USD 30 for foreign adults and USD 15 for children, per the Central Cultural Fund.
The sites are spread out, so a rented bicycle or a tuk-tuk is easiest; start early before the heat.