Walk through the remains of the old capital city, where travelers can see palaces, royal halls, and ancient city planning that dates back nearly 1,000 years.One of the highlights is Gal Vihara, featuring stunning Buddha statues carved into granite rock, including the standing, seated, and reclining Buddha—a must-see for every visitor.

Travelers will learn about the genius engineering behind the ancient water system, including views of the famous Parakrama Samudraya (Sea of Parakrama), a massive reservoir built centuries ago.

Travelers will stand before the impressive ancient statue believed to represent King Parakramabahu the Great, one of Sri Lanka’s most powerful rulers.

The Minneriya reservoir is very scenic, great for sunset photos and peaceful nature shots. It’s common to see elephants, deer, birds, buffalo, and monkeys coming to drink water—especially in the evening.