The Culture Circuits
 
The cultural circuit has a wide choice of accommodation. Some of the country's best and most scenically located hotels are here. One also has a choice of state-run rest houses, A-grade private guesthouses and bungalows. All the major hotel chains offer star-class accommodation in the region.		  
Although heritage sites are found in the south, central and north-central regions of the country, the better preserved and visitor friendly sites form a triangle that starts in Kandy and connects the two ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva. A road network links the sites and most are within easy reach.
Anuradhapura was the country's first chronicled capital city. Its lost grandeur is reminiscent in the large irrigation works and tall stupas built by ruling kings and nobles. The tallest stupa in the world, Jetavanaramaya stood a massive 400 feet, during its heyday two millennia ago.
Polonnaruva the medieval kingdom is a perfect example of the peaceful co-existence of two religions- Hinduism and Buddhism in the same era. Temples dedicated to the great Hindu God Shiva stand in peaceful ruin alongside white-washed stupa for Buddha relics. The location of Polonnaruva itself is breathtaking; the ruined city is flanked by a massive man-made lake and acres of gold-green paddy fields. 

Built by the controversial king, Kasyapa, Sigiriya rock fortress (5th century AD) is a unique piece of advanced architecture that sought to convert a huge boulder rock into a castle amidst a walled and moated city not far from Anuradhapura. Unfortunately, however Kasyapa flung himself to death off the rock when his fortress was invaded by the armies of his own brother Mugalan. The palace gardens had an intricate fountain system that still works during rainy months. Sigiriya is famous for the colourful sensuous paintings of flower-baring maidens on its western wall.

Dambulla, built much later, is a Buddhist temple tucked into a series of caves on another boulder. The temple is much venerated even today and its beautiful cave and ceiling paintings are being preserved.