London Palace

Anuradhapura


Impressive two-storey place ('palace' is a little ambitious!) with 10 lovely, clean, bright and airy rooms with TV, fridge, neutral-colour schemes and balcony (except the single, which is worth avoiding). The six front rooms are best. The location is quite a way from the centre, but bikes are available (Rs 400). It's owned by the efficient people behind Milano Tourist Rest.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Anuradhapura attractions

1. Nuwara Wewa

1.6 MILES

Nuwara Wewa, on the east side of the city, is the largest tank in Anuradhapura, covering about 12 sq km. It was built around 20 BC and is well away from…

2. Vessagiriya

2.04 MILES

South of the Isurumuniya Vihara are the faint remains of the Vessagiriya cave monastery, a series of evocative, gravity-defying boulder overhangs etched…

3. Sandahiru Seya

2.19 MILES

Two thousand years after the first of the great dagobas was constructed, a huge new stupa, the Sandahiru Seya, is rising on the south side of Anuradhapura…

4. Isurumuniya Vihara

2.24 MILES

This charming rock temple, dating from the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (r 307–267 BC), is set around a lovely lotus pond, the corner of which is carved…

5. Royal Pleasure Gardens

2.35 MILES

Known as the Park of the Goldfish, these extensive 2000-year-old royal pleasure gardens cover 14 hectares and contain two ponds skilfully designed to fit…

6. Sri Maha Bodhi

2.39 MILES

The sacred bodhi tree is central to Anuradhapura in both a spiritual and physical sense. It was grown from a cutting brought from Bodhgaya in India and is…

7. Dakkhina Stupa

2.4 MILES

Most tourists ignore this 2000-year-old stupa, but legend says it holds the cremated remains of King Dutugemunu (r 161–137 BC). It's now mostly used by…

8. Jetavanarama Museum

2.45 MILES

A 1937 British colonial building provides a suitably regal venue for some of the treasures found at Jetavanarama. The objects displayed here range from…