Tissewewa Rest House was built in colonial style by the British in 1907, as The Grand Hotel. This two-storeyed, tiled-roofed building stands in 11 acres of tree-lined parkland, conveniently situated on the edge of the ruined city of Anuradhapura - capital of the Sinhala kingdom from the 3rd century BC to around the 11th century. A short walk takes you to the Sacred Bodhi Tree, museums, temples and ancient bathing ponds. The enormous archaeological site of Anuradhapura, is best explored by bicycle.