Polonnaruwa served as Sri Lanka’s capital from approximately 1070 to 1232 CE, following the decline of Anuradhapura. The city flourished particularly during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186), who undertook massive building programs including the Parakrama Samudra reservoir, numerous temples, and administrative buildings. The city’s golden period lasted about 150 years before being abandoned due to invasion and malaria. The archaeological site covers a large area, roughly 4-5 kilometers north to south. The ruins are concentrated in several clusters: the royal citadel area with the palace and administrative buildings, the quadrangle containing several important temples, and the northern group with major stupas and monasteries. Visiting the complete site requires either cycling or driving between these sections. Unlike Anuradhapura, where active temples sit among the ruins, Polonnaruwa is a maintained archaeological park with no current religious activity except occasional visits by pilgrims. This status has helped preserve the site, though it makes Polonnaruwa feel more like a museum than a living city. The modern town of Polonnaruwa sits a few kilometers from the ancient ruins. The town provides services for visitors and functions as an administrative center for the district. Most hotels and guesthouses are located between the town and the archaeological site or around the shores of Parakrama Samudra. The area has a dry climate similar to much of Sri Lanka’s north-central region. Temperatures are typically hot, and the landscape is scrub and dry forest with some agricultural areas. The Parakrama Samudra and several other ancient tanks support intensive rice cultivation. Wildlife in the area includes monkeys, mongooses, and various bird species, with elephants occasionally passing through surrounding forests.