Sigiriya rock which actually means "lion rock" cannot be missed. We first saw it after a long stopover in Dubai and a 3.5 hour car ride from Colombo International Airport to Dambulla.
Though exhaustion had kicked in, once at the hotel that overlooked Sigiriya rock, the long journey to get there was absolutely worth it!
Sigiriya rock is enormous! 200m in height and is meant to look like a lion. The entrance even looks like two large lion claws. The landmark is impressive with an interesting history. It is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage sights and is not to be missed during your trip through Sri Lanka.
The climb to the top is harder than you might think. There are over 1,200 steps to climb and you need to be somewhat fit to make it. Luckily, the journey to the top is broken down into section, so if you need a break, take it!
There is no rush to getting to the top, enjoy the view while you make the climb. Even if you are afraid of heights, I still recommend you give it a go; the view from the middle is still spectacular!
Here are some other useful tips for your climb:
• Take a moment to appreciate the “Mirror Wall”. It is covered in beautiful historical frescoes and drawings. You are not allowed to take photos of this but for the rest of the climb you are free to capture everything.
• Avoid heading up during mid-day as it can get very hot - always remember to wear sunscreen!
• If you have to go - you better go before you depart to the top as there are no toilets on the way up or down!
• Wear shoes you can comfortably walk/hike in. I wore sneakers and they were fine for me but you might prefer to wear hiking boots.
• Most importantly: remember to take enough water with you! There is no place along the climb for you to buy any until you are back down again.
What is the history behind Lion Rock?
Sigiriya has a remarkable and interesting history. The story is that King Kashyapa who ruled between 477 and 495 AD took the throne from his brother, Moggallana, and then proceeded to kill their father. He then selected this site for his new capital.
King Kashyapa was frightened, as one should be after the actions he took, that his brother would seek revenge and would want to kill him. This is why he found shelter and protection on top of Sigiriya, where he built his royal home that also doubled as a local fortress.
It took Moggallana 18 years to conquer the rock with his army, by which time King Kashyapa committed suicide by falling on his own sward. Moggallana returned the capital back to Anuradhapura and Sigiriya became a Buddhist monastery until the 13th-14th century. After this time, there are no official records of the use of Sigiriya till it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
Sigiriya Rock is a must see highlight during your trip in Sri Lanka! The history is dramatic and colorful. The landmark is impressive. And the views are inspiring!