Anuradhapura was capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BCE until the end of the 10th century CE. It is UNESCO listed World Heritage site for its famous ruins and its place in the birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. In the video: Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba (stupa), 140 BCE (0:14), Sri Maha Bodhi Tree - claimed to be grown from the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment, over 2000 years old (0:52), Samadhi Buddha statue, 5th century (1:17), Jetavanaramaya Dagoba - the third tallest structure in the ancient world (1:29), Abhayagiri Dagoba (1:44), Lankarama Dagoba (2:56), Thuparamaya Dagoba - the first stupa in Sri Lanka (3:20), Isurumuniya Temple (3:32), Mihintale - hill close to Anuradhapura, is considered the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 247 BCE (4:32), Aradhana Gala hill (4:59), Maha Seya - the largest stupa in Mihintale, built in the 1st century (5:05).

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) "is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano." (quote from Wikitravel.com). The complex around the rock and on the summit was built in the 5th century, to serve as a capital, but soon after that Anuradhapura was restored as Sri Lanka's capital and Sigiriya was used as Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya is inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the most visited site in Sri Lanka. In the second part of the video you will see another impressive rock in the vicinity - Pidurangala - and views from its top to Sigirija.

The major ancient historic sites in Sri Lanka, all UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sacred City of Anuradhapura and Mihintale, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Golden Temple of Dambulla, Ancient City of Sigiriya, Sacred City of Kandy.