This landmark was only just getting recognition when we first visited Sri Lanka, before it took the Instagram world by storm. Another beautifully created statue carved out of rock that could quite easily make it onto this landmarks list too! Nine Arches Bridge Top tip: If you’re in the area, make sure that you check out the Buddha carving at Sasseruwa. The standing Buddha was constructed at some point during the 5 th century, during the reign of King Dhatusena, and is a 12m high depiction, carved out of a single granite rock face. And without doubt another landmark that you should definitely have on your bucket list. There is also a tiny, almost microscopic Buddha in a glass case, only visible when using a magnifying glass! Avukana Buddha StatueĪnother statue that really makes you wonder how they managed to create such incredible sculptures so long ago. There is also a museum on site, showcasing Buddha statues and many beautiful collectables. The Gangaramaya temple attracts worshippers from near and far with the complex itself boasting architecture and beautiful statues with many influences including Chinese, Thai, Burmese and Sri Lankan styles. A cultural mecca on its own, and with the beautiful Lake Kandy to boot, of course something from this city had to make it onto this list of Sri Lankan landmarks. Kandy is one of those cities that people either tend to love or hate, and for us, it was love. Top Tip: Many visitors flock to Anuradhapura just to see the famous Bodhi Tree, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree that is said to be the oldest known human planted tree! It was planted in 288 BC from a sapling of another Bodhi tree, where Buddha became enlightened. It’s a really impressive and spiritual place to visit. The huge white stupa is now over 100m tall, and one of the world’s tallest ancient landmarks. And in around 140 BC, King Dutugemunu built the original stupa (also known as Ruwanwelisaya), to house many sacred Buddhist relics. The ancient city was the capital of the country for 1600 odd years from 4 th century BC spanning to the 11 th century. So maybe first to touch on the Sacred C ity of Anuradhapura, which was the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka, within which are some of the best-preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Well technically the Dambulla Cave Temple and Golden Temple, not located too far away from Sigiriya are another of the must-visit landmarks in Sri Lanka. Recommended: Do you think Sigiriya made it onto our list of most famous landmarks in the world ? Dambulla Cave Temple You have to have a pretty good head for heights to make it to the summit, but the views offered once you reach the top are well worth the little vertigo you may get on the way up! The UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated not far from Dambulla (more on that shortly), became the capital in the 5 th century under King Kashyapa, who chose this imposing 200m high rock as the location for his palace.ĭerived from its Sanskrit name meaning Lion Rock, and with amazing Lions paws carved halfway up, the palace was abandoned after the King’s death, but then became a Buddhist monastery for the next 800 or so years. Probably the most famous landmark in all of Sri Lanka, and one of the most famous in Asia, Sigiriya Rock Fortress has relatively recently become uber famous, mainly thanks to it being well photographed on Instagram. But, we’ll be honest, with the landmark so far off in the distance, it didn’t appear that impressive. When we first saw the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya, it was a spectacular view, from our stunning hotel.