A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient Sigiriya Rock rises up almost 200 m from a picturesque landscape of verdant greenery and is a definite must visit when holidaying on the island!
History
The Sigiriya Rock was once the royal abode of King Kashyapa who turned the rock into a stunning citadel and impregnable fortress in the 5th Century.
How to Get There
The Rock is located in Sigiriya which is approximately a 4 hrs drive from Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Its best to make a stay out of the trip as a visit to the site is best to recommend early in the morning when the sun is not at its harshest. Many a hotel in Sigiriya including the likes of Sigiriya Jungles are available for accommodation.
Things to See
Visitors can take in the ruins of once grand place structures, ponds and beautiful frescos of the celestial nymphs painted on to the rocks walls, the mirror wall, and landscaped water gardens. Do make sure to visit the Sigiriya Museum as it offers a lot of great information about the history of the site.
Useful Information
Do take a long plenty of bottled water, sun block, and possbily a hat as there is no shade at the summit. The site is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., however the ticket counters close at 5.p.m. The entrance fee to visit the site comes up to a total of USD 30 and includes admission to the museum as well.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
