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Sri Lanka
North Central Province
Anuradhapura
Things to Do in Anuradhapura
Mihintale
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Mihintale

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Mihintale
4.5
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
Kalu Diya Pokuna Natural Black Water Pond
42
1.2 miBodies of Water
Silachetiya (Kujjatissa) Stupa
2
Religious Sites
Sangamiththa Stupa
2
Religious Sites
Lovamahapaya Brazen Palace
40
Ancient Ruins
Manakanda Archaeological Site
2.6 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,399 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
412
Average
40
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Fern T
3 contributions
Mihintale tour
Jan 2023 • Couples
We visited Mihintale with a really great tour guide, he was super friendly and showed us all over the mountain and had so much knowledge about the monks who occupied the area and how they lived. We arrived at 3ish and arrived at the top to watch the sunset. Highly recommend using O.V.Athulawansa, you can contact him via WhatsApp +94 72 406 7795
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan C
Hong Kong, China367 contributions
Well worth a visit
Oct 2021 • Couples
Important religious site in Sri Lanka. However, even if you are not religious well worth a visit to take in the spectacular views back to the ancient city of Anuradhapura and also to Ritigala. In fact you have 360 degree views from the Stupa and even better from the top of the rock. The latter is quiet tricky to climb even when there are no people around, but yourselves. Entrance fee LKR1000. Approximately 30-45 minute drive from Anuradhapura, but well worth it.
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael Todd Davis
20 contributions
OK but not great.
Jan 2020
My wife and I expected to appreciate Mihintale more than Anuradhapura, which was not the case. The big Buddha statue was nice, but at least for me, the large white statues are not as interesting as many others. The walk up is not big deal, provide you wear socks. We probably spent 1 1/2 hours there, which came as a surprise. Based on online reviews, I thought we would need ch more time. We were both a bit disappointed.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rambling R
Melbourne, Australia121 contributions
I wish I had the opportunity to visit
Dec 2019
After a wonderful experience at Sri Maha Bodhi, we arrived in Mihintale to walk around the stupa. We walked up to the second landing, where we were accosted by the rudest people we have ever come across. After accusing us of not paying the entrance fee, we walked over to a hidden demountable ticket office to pay the fee. However, when we were vilified for being white, we decided not to stay. There is no fee for non-white people at this place and the touts are extraordinarily rude. However, if our driver had warned us about the wannabe guides, we may not have had these problems.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sleepybexhill
Bexhill-on-Sea, UK1,501 contributions
Worth a walk up the hill to see the sunset
Jan 2022 • Couples
It can get very crowded so you might not be able to stand on the small summit. Still, there are other places to go for a view. If you want to see the Buddha in sunlight go at sunset. For the stupa visit at sunrise. Tip - take a pair of socks since it’s no shoes for the upper part of the climb.
Written January 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lk1968
15 contributions
Fantastic view
Jan 2020
Our main worry was the climb, we were daunted by talk of the 1800 steps and how steep it is. But if you take a tuktuk up to start from from the midway point rather than the bottom, it is totally fine, the remaining bit is easy, less than a half hour to the top. And the top is spectacular. It’s a complex of three little hills with the Buddhist sites, each with an amazing view in each direction, including a great sunset over Anuradhapura
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alice S
Lund, Sweden602 contributions
Lovely view. If you have time it is worth a visit, but not a must.
Dec 2021 • Couples
Beautiful place, located on a little hill. For sunset you'll have a stunning view and a nice calm atmosphere. It is a bit pricey to go inside is you are a tourist. The stupa and Buddha Statue looks nice in the evening light. I really enjoyed our visit. It was quite empty except for a few monks, local devotees and some few tourist so maybe that added to the good experience.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wasantha dissanayake
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka8 contributions
Pilgrimage
May 2020 • Family
Oldest sthupa in the world and it's just 5.2 kms away from waterfront home stay in anuradhapura. It has a large number of relics inside. Built in 242 BC by King dutu gamunu after defeating the then ruler "elara".first anuradhapura known as "anuradha grama "later became anuradha nagara, and now called as anuradhapura.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kai Wah
Malaysia2,790 contributions
Pilgrimage Site
Feb 2020 • Couples
This cultural site holds significant Buddhism history in Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhism Pilgrimage site where is believed that Buddhist monks met up with the King as far back as 300BC and the Buddhism was inaugurated in Sri Lanka. Foreigners fee of LKR1,000 per person per entry. It took us about 30 mins to walk up the staircase to the site with some notable ruins. There are 3 other sites which include the access to the massive white stupa, a massive Buddha statue and clim-up to the top of the rock which provides stunning panoramic views. The climb up to the rock is not so straight forward for people afraid of height since it is not easy to climb up bare footed even most of the path is built with railing as some part are quite steep and much precaution is required. Proper dressing is necessary to cover shoulder and pants/ dress below knee with no shoes allowed at the site. It is easier to visit during morning or late afternoon when the ground is not too hot for the bare foot walking. Recommended for anyone into cultural/ historical sites in Anuradhapura.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joe91
Perth, Australia4 contributions
Worth a visit to Mihintale
Jan 2020
We have been to Mihintale in a evening around 4 pm, we believe it is the great time to climb the rock, not too hot and nice wind blowing through you. Absolutely amazing view from the top. Also the feeling you get around is so spiritual.
Mihintale is about 13Km far from the city. But do not miss this place if you are panning your trip to Anuradhapura.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Mihintale, Anuradhapura

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