ANURADHAPURA

Sri Lanka's city of ninety king's, Anuradhapura founded in the 5th century B.C. is first among its ancient royal cities. The well-planned ancient metropolis has many impressive monuments. The massive 4th century A.D. Jetawana and 1st century B.C. Abayagiri Dagaba (Buddhist shrines), where UNESCO sponsored archaeological excavations and conservation are in progress, are after the great Pyramids of Cheops, the third and fourth highest ancient buildings in the world. The 2,200-year-old Sacred Bo-Tree, the world's oldest historically documented tree, the handsome Royal Twin Baths, the beautifully sculptured Lovers of Isurumuniya, the Moonstone at the Queen's Pavilion and the vast ancient irrigation lakes are equally impressive. It is well worth a detour to see the Anukana Buddha, a colossal 42-ft. rock-cut statue of tremendous impact, surrounded by jungle.