population: 0.057 million

extension: 23.98 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Anuradhapura and want to visit museums, I suggest visiting the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum. It houses a collection of artifacts related to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, which was once a thriving center of Buddhist culture.

If you're interested in visiting similar places nearby, you might consider visiting the National Museum of Colombo or the Colombo Dutch Museum, both of which are located in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to eat in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka) according to local people include:

1. Kottu Roti - a stir-fried dish made with shredded flatbread, vegetables, egg, and sometimes meat or seafood.

2. Rice and curry - a staple dish consisting of steamed rice served with a variety of curries, typically including vegetable curries, dal, and fish or meat curries.

3. String Hoppers - a dish made from steamed rice flour noodles that are shaped into circular discs and served with coconut sambol, curry, and/or dhal.

4. Pol Sambol - a spicy coconut relish made with grated coconut, chili peppers, onion, lime juice, and other seasonings.

5. Fish Ambul Thiyal - a sour and spicy fish curry made with tamarind, garlic, ginger, and plenty of aromatic spices.

6. Wambatu Moju - an eggplant pickle made with caramelized onions, vinegar, sugar, and spices.

7. Lamprais - a Dutch-influenced dish made with rice, meat or fish curry, boiled eggs, and various condiments wrapped in banana leaves and baked.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can try in Anuradhapura.

Activities

There are several fun activities that local people in Anuradhapura enjoy. Some of them include:

1. Visiting the sacred sites: Anuradhapura is known for its ancient stupas, temples and other religious sites which are revered by locals. You can visit these places to learn more about Sri Lankan culture and history.

2. Cycling tours: Renting a bicycle and taking a cycling tour around Anuradhapura is a popular activity among locals. It allows you to explore the city at your own pace and also provides a good workout.

3. Wildlife safaris: Anuradhapura is surrounded by wildlife reserves such as Wilpattu National Park and Minneriya National Park where you can go on a safari to see elephants, leopards, and other wild animals.

4. Food tours: Sri Lankan cuisine is diverse and delicious, and you can take a food tour of Anuradhapura to sample local dishes such as hoppers, kottu roti, and string hoppers.

5. Cultural shows: There are several cultural shows in Anuradhapura that showcase traditional Sri Lankan dance, music and other performing arts. Attending one of these shows is an excellent way to experience the local culture.