The surrounding hills host several eco-lodges, and the lake draws herons, eagles, and the occasional wild elephant down to drink at dusk. It's quieter and far less visited than the main archaeological sites. It is at Polonnaruwa's Giritale, close to the other main sights. It ranks among Polonnaruwa's most visited sights, and for good reason - most itineraries include it on day one. Entry is free and 1-2 hours gives you a thorough visit.
What It Is
You sit lakeside as fishing boats drift past and hornbills call from the treeline. Mist often sits over the water at sunrise, and the hills opposite stay a hazy blue-green through the day.
Why Visit
A calm, uncrowded alternative to Parakrama Samudra, with a genuine chance of spotting wild elephants at the shoreline. That puts it near the top of any Polonnaruwa visit, and it deserves the spot. Afternoon tends to work best here.
More on Polonnaruwa
It is one entry in our list of things to do in Polonnaruwa.
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