Mihintale

About Mihintale

Mihintale is where Buddhism first arrived on the island in 247 BC, when the monk Mahinda converted King Devanampiya Tissa on this hilltop. A 1,840-step granite stairway climbs past ancient monasteries, meditation caves and the Ambasthala Dagoba to a panoramic summit shrine.

Top experiences

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  Grand Stone Stairway

  1,840 wide granite steps climbing through frangipani trees to the sacred summit.

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  Ambasthala Dagoba

  The small white stupa marking the exact spot of the historic Buddhist conversion.

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  Aradhana Gala summit rock

  A short rock scramble to a sweeping 360° view over the Cultural Triangle.

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  Sunrise climb of Pidurangala

  Beat the crowds and watch dawn break over Sigiriya Rock.

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  Village bullock-cart & catamaran tour

  Rural life, lotus lakes and a home-cooked Sri Lankan lunch.

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  Guided cave-temple visit

  Explore Dambulla's painted caves with a cultural historian.

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  Cycling through paddy fields

  Easy back-road ride between tanks, temples and villages.

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  Sigiriya Rock Fortress

  5th-century UNESCO-listed sky palace atop a 200 m monolith.

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  Dambulla Cave Temple

  Five painted caves with 150+ Buddha statues, a UNESCO site.

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  Polonnaruwa ancient city

  12th-century royal capital of temples, palaces and colossal Buddhas.

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  Minneriya National Park

  Home to the annual 'Elephant Gathering' at the reservoir.