The region's biggest attractions include the beautiful 1000-year-old rock-cut Buddha figures of Buduruwagala (adult/child Rs 1000/500), found 10km southwest of Wellawaya. It's 5.5km south along the A2, followed by another 4.5km of scenic side road. Get there early in the morning to avoid the tour buses and to appreciate the peaceful jungle setting and the vast rock outcrop into which seven figures – including the gigantic standing Buddha (at 16m, it's the tallest on the island) – have been carved. The carvings' unusual Mahayana stylings date them to some point between the 8th and 10th centuries, when the Mahayana Buddhist school briefly enjoyed its greatest period of influence in Sri Lanka.
A tuk tuk from Wellawaya costs about Rs 2000 return. It's worth stopping at the small Archaeological Museum (free) at the A2 junction to check out some artifacts found at the site, including a splendid Buddha statue made of moonstone. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
