Sigiriya Lions Rock Fortress(Sinhala: සීගිරිය, Tamil: சிகிரியா)

Sigiriya, also known as the Lion's Rock, is an ancient rock fortress situated in Sri Lanka's central province. Due to its proximity to Dambulla, most tourists choose to stay overnight in one of these cities. Both locations boast major tourist attractions. Climbing the rock and returning typically takes between 2 to 3 hours. After the king's death, the capital city and the royal palace were abandoned. Until the 14th century, it served as a Buddhist monastery.

Sigiriya is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka and is sometimes called the 8th wonder of the world. It is an architectural marvel, famous for its well-preserved Pre-Christian frescoes from the 5th century.

Before ascending Sigiriya rock, explore the courtyards and structures at its base. Tuk Tuk drivers are available to take you around the rock's base. The area offers numerous guest houses and holiday resorts for accommodation. Be sure to try a traditional bull cart ride in the village area.

Another popular site is Pidurangala rock. Many visitors climb Pidurangala to enjoy the stunning view from the top, which is second only to the view from Sigiriya Rock.

The temperature ranges from 31°C to 33°C throughout the year, making the region warm and dry year-round. The ideal time to visit is from May to September during the dry season.

As always you can find good accommodations that fit your budget. Lots of tourist stay near Sigiriya or Kandalama. The best places to stay in and around Dambulla are Heritance Kandalama, Kalundewa Retreat, Amaya Lake Dambulla, ElephasResort & Spa, Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Water Garden Sigiriya, The Elephant Corridor, Jetwing Vil Uyana and Jetwing Lake.

Must do Things in Sigiriya

• Sigiriya Lions Rock

• Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple

• Sigiriya Achiyalogical Museum

Other Things to do in Sigiriya

• Sigiriya Wewa

• Habarana Cultural Safari

• Minneriya National Park