In the end, there is a strange cultural triangle in Sri Lanka, where you will find not only ancient royal cities, which are the centre of Sri Lankan Buddhism, but also sites that, even if they are not religious in nature, are part of the incredible melting pot of Sri Lankan culture. All of them have been given Unesco World Heritage status, so it easy to tell just how important they are for the country. 

But although Buddhism was born in India, it arrived in Sri Lanka in 247 BC and developed rapidly, adopting the doctrine of the Theravada. This is the reason why Buddhism is the state religion today, and why spirituality is so omnipresent.  

The regal and prestigious Anurâdhapura

The country's first royal capital, Anuradhapura, one of the five sites of the Golden Triangle, is the most iconic Buddhist sites. It features dozens of temples, lost in the jungle and watched over by impressive dāgobas, scattered over 40 square kilometres. But don't expect to visit them on foot and without help: a bicycle and a map will be necessary. Whether you choose to go and see Jetavanarama, a 122-meter high dāgoba, the Abhayagirivihāra monastery, or the dazzling white Ruwanwelisaya adorned with elephants, you are bound to be impressed. But there is also the Isurumuniya temple, carved into the rock and visited by young monks.

But the most sacred place remains the Bodhi, which is the tree on which Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment, thus becoming Buddha. This pagoda fig tree, which is almost 30 meters high and surrounded by a high fence, is a bustling hub of activity, with visitors sitting down with their families, hanging coloured ribbons, making vows to Buddha, and of course praying in the adjacent temple. If you go there at 6pm, you can see the congregation dressed in white bringing offerings to the sound of drums, bound to imbue you with a sense of inner peace.

Polonnaruwa, an archaeological gold mine

The second holy city listed by Unesco, Polonnaruwa, has a varied architecture: from the royal palaces, monasteries, temples and giant Buddhas, it has a little bit of everything. But once again, you will need a bicycle to explore the ancient city, and you should definitely make a stop at the fascinating archaeological museum. With the moonstone of Vatadage, the temple of Thuparama, and the mesmerising, gigantic book made of stone, called the Gal Pota, it is not to be missed, and you will need some time to see the exhibits in their entirety.

Sigirîya, Lion Rock

East of Polonnaruwa, this site may not have any connection with Buddhism, but at the top of a red stone peak, the fortress of Sigirîya will leave you stunned. There are nearly 1000 steps to reach the eagle's nest via the wall of graffiti, some of which date back to the 9th century.

Halfway up, you can stop to take a breath before taking the time to admire the Sigiriya Maidens, beautifully drawn portraits of 21 young girls (although only a dozen remain. Unfortunately, only the water reservoir remains of this palace site, which originally spanned a whopping 15,000 m2, but the platform offers a breathtaking view of the gardens, terraces and jungle.

Fervent Kandy and majestic Dambulla  

Kandy, the former capital, also holds the title of holy city. Surrounded by magnificent botanical gardens, it is home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth of Buddha. The relic is carefully preserved in a golden case, hidden in a sacred chamber, but three daily ceremonies allow visitors to come and make offerings, or simply see the relic with their own eyes. A little to the north of Kandy, you should make a stop at Dambulla to see the Golden Temple monastery on which a 30-metre-high Buddha is enthroned. It is the last of this famous cultural triangle, which includes more than 150 statues, and a myriad of caves with superb rock engravings.

Thousands of temples

Temples and statues form a fabulous route across Sri Lanka. For example, there is only about fifteen kilometres from Anuradhapura to Mihintale, which is a major Buddhist site. It is said to be there that the monk Mahinda converted King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura. You will need to be prepared to climb the 1500 steps to reach the temple, but you will be rewarded with a spectacular  view at the top. You can also check out the Kanthaka dagoba, which is one of the oldest in the country. Then, on the road to Yala National Park, you will find Buduruwagala with its seven Buddhas carved in the rock, or Galagoda, a reclining Buddha stretching a surface of 35-metres.