Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura served as the capital of successive Sinhalese kingdoms for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. According to chronicles, in the 3rd century BC King Devanampiya Tissa received a cutting from the Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment — that same sacred fig tree still stands in the Mahabodhi temple complex and is considered the oldest living tree with a documented planting date in human history. The sprawling ruined city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, is anchored by colossal dagoba stupas including the Ruwanwelisaya and the Jetavanarama, whose original height rivaled the great pyramids of Egypt. Active temple precincts draw Buddhist pilgrims from across Asia daily, and the site is best navigated by bicycle across its several square kilometers of monuments, tanks, and sacred grounds.