Sigiriya Rock Fortress

The story

Rising nearly 200 metres from the surrounding jungle, Sigiriya is a 5th-century royal citadel built atop a monolithic column of rock. King Kashyapa's palace once crowned its summit, guarded by a massive carved lion's paw gateway. Frescoes of celestial maidens still line a sheltered gallery halfway up, and the mirror wall carries poetry scratched by visitors over a thousand years ago.

Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Ancient frescoes and mirror wall
• Sky-high water gardens
• Panoramic jungle views

Things to do here

1. 1Climb the 1,200 steps to the summit palace ruins
2. 2View the 5th-century fresco gallery of the 'Sigiriya Maidens'
3. 3Walk the symmetrical water gardens at the base
4. 4Hike neighbouring Pidurangala Rock for a Sigiriya sunset view
5. 5Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the cultural triangle
6. 6Village tuk-tuk and cooking-class tour in nearby Habarana