Sri Lanka’s oldest and longest-ruling ancient capital, Anuradhapura is a sprawling sacred city with stupas among the largest ancient structures ever built by human hands. The sacred Bo tree here – said to have grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment – is among the oldest living trees with a documented history in the world. The city is best explored by bicycle, and the atmosphere, particularly at dawn and dusk, is quietly extraordinary. Best visited between May and September.