Tissa Wewa
Ancient reservoir built by King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC, now a wildlife haven where elephants come to drink at dusk.
Duration
1-1.5 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Difficulty
easy
Budget
free
About Tissa Wewa
Tissa Wewa is one of the oldest man-made reservoirs in Anuradhapura, attributed to King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BC as part of the city's irrigation system. The tank spans approximately 160 hectares and sits at the southern edge of the sacred city, with the ruins of Isurumuniya Rock Temple rising from a boulder at its southern shore. Wild elephants from the surrounding forests regularly come to the reservoir's edge at dusk to drink and bathe, making the shoreline a popular spot for informal wildlife watching without a safari fee. The tank also supports painted storks, grey herons, and a variety of resident waterbirds. A gentle walk along the western bund at sunset, with views of the water and the Anuradhapura skyline including the stupa domes, takes about 45 minutes.
Highlights
- 3rd century BC reservoir, among Sri Lanka's oldest
- Built by King Devanampiyatissa as part of Anuradhapura's irrigation network
- Wild elephants visit the shore at dusk
- Painted storks, grey herons, and other waterbirds year-round
- Sunset walk with views of Anuradhapura's stupa skyline
Practical Tips
Walk the western bund at 5:30pm for the best chance of seeing wild elephants come to drink.
No entry fee for the reservoir bund itself; Isurumuniya temple on the southern shore requires the Anuradhapura combined ticket.
Bring insect repellent for evening walks near the water.
The reservoir is a short tuk-tuk or bicycle ride from the main Anuradhapura sacred precinct.
Explore by Interest
Best Time to Visit
Best time of day: Dusk (5pm–6:30pm) year-round for elephant sightings; dry season (January to April) for calm water.
Location
Planning Info
- Crowd level
- Usually quiet
- Physical difficulty
- easy
- Setting
- outdoor
- Child friendly
- Yes
- Senior friendly
- Yes
- Budget level
- free
- Photography
- ★★★☆☆
Plan Your Visit
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ALSO IN THE AREA
Nearby Destinations
Abhayagiri Dagoba
1st-century BC stupa in Anuradhapura that once rose to 115m, making it the second tallest stupa ever built in the ancient world.
Explore →
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
2nd-century BC stupa built by King Dutugemunu, standing 103m tall and enshrining relics of the Buddha in Anuradhapura.
Explore →
Isurumuniya Rock Temple
3rd-century BC rock temple in Anuradhapura with a famous carved panel of 'The Lovers', a royal bathing pool, and elephants carved in rock.
Explore →LET'S EXPLOR™ THE
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