North Central Province - 10 Attractions You Must Visit

Abhayagiri Vihāra was a primary religious site in Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and it is one of the most extensive ruins in the world. It is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the country.

It is also known as Puravidu Bhavana, one of the archaeological museums in North Central Province. The museum was established in 1947 under the prime effort of Dr. Senarath Paranavithana. It is one of the oldest museums.

It is also known as Gal Viharaya and formerly as the Uttararama.It is a rock temple of the Buddha located in North Central Province, Sri Lanka and was created in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I, the king of the old Kingdom of Polonnaruwa. The temple's central feature is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which are carved into the face of a granite rock.

Hurulu Forest Reserve of Sri Lanka designated in January 1977 as a biosphere reserve. The forest reserve is an essential habitat of the Sri Lankan elephant. Hurulu forest reserve represents Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests. Carved out at the Hurulu Forest Reserve edge is the Hurulu Eco Park, which offers jeep safaris.

It is a national park located 197 km away from Colombo city. In April 2002, it was designated as a national park to become the 15th such in the country. Historically it was one of the 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen and was reconstructed in 1959, now attracting and supporting a variety of plant and animal life, including large mammals, fish and reptiles.

Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a unique structure in the old city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Built by King Nissanka Malla and named after him, it is located near the western entrance of the Dalada Maluva, the area that has the oldest and the holiest monuments in the city.

It is an old site belonging back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa in Sri Lanka. It believed to be built either through the reign of "Parakramabahu I", to hold the Relic of the tooth of the Buddha, or while the reign of Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha.

It is a hemispherical structure located in the old city of Polonnaruwa. Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa built the stupa who used to be the country ruler from 1187 to 1196. The currently used name Rankoth Vehera means in English Gold Pinnacled.

It is a Buddhist Stupa located in the old city of Polonnaruwa and situated in the Somawathiya National Park on the Mahaweli River's left edge. It is believed to built to enshrine the right canine relic of the tooth of the Buddha. It is named after Princess Somawathi, the sister of King Kavantissa, and the wife of regional ruler Prince Abhaya.

It is a natural park in Sri Lanka located 225 km away from Colombo in Matale and Polonnaruwa. It is also one of the protected areas where you can see Sri Lankan Elephants in large crowds. It is also one of the important birds areas in the country.