Founded in the 4th century BC and occupied for over a millennium, Anuradhapura holds the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, planted in 288 BC as a cutting from the original Bodhi Tree and now the oldest documented living tree on earth. The Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba stands 55 metres tall and remains an active site of daily devotion. By bicycle with a specialist guide, 2,500 years becomes a coherent narrative rather than a list of ruins. Most visitors are surprised by how much of the ancient city is still standing rather than excavated fragments.