Sri Lanka's second ancient capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Polonnaruwa is more compact and better preserved than Anuradhapura, which makes it a joy to explore by bike. Its highlight is Gal Vihara — a group of giant Buddha figures carved from a single granite wall — alongside royal palaces, the Quadrangle, and a fine archaeological museum.
About 4.5 hours from Colombo, or an hour from Sigiriya.
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A 5th-century rock fortress rising sheer from the jungle plain.
