Sigiriya

Outspoken with magnificence, seemingly unattainable, and wildly beautiful: Sigiriya is Sri Lanka’s one and only. On a sea of emerald forests stretching towards the horizon on all sides, the rock pillar of Sigiriya soars 180 meters above the ground. It is strikingly solitary and glorious. Every morning, the dreamy landscape gets shrouded in silky mists. And every sunset, it hosts a magical light play before the setting sun. The path that leads to this colossal formation is as enchanting as the experience of reaching the top. A meandering path takes visitors to the foot of the rock pillar, where a much-rewarding climb awaits with 270 stairs.

Sigiriya’s significance as a religious site dates back to the 3rd century BC. But, what will stick in your mind is the ancient rock fortress that lies at the top. As you climb the stairs, you will stumble across fascinating frescoes carved on the rock walls, cave temples, and exquisite terraced gardens. The most exhilarating among them is an archway in the form of a majestic lion that greets visitors halfway up. Another is the Mirror Wall, a perfectly polished stone wall that has served as a blackboard to the passengers of the 8th century. Featuring many poems and writings left by them, the Mirror Wall is a testament to Anuradhapura’s literary history.

Today, the area surrounding the rock is a UNESCO site and offers serene sightseeing experiences. The road has iridescent water gardens on both sides, where human-made pools and pavilions offer eyeful scenes for photography. They are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. If you think a climb is not for you, you can still observe the replicas of the murals in the Sigiriya Museum.