What to do in Sigiriya
What to do in Sigiriya – Sri Lanka
After an amazing stay in Polonnaruwa, it was time to go to Sigiriya and visit the massive and outstanding Sigiriya Rock,a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved examples of ancient urban planning.
From Polonnaruwa to Sigiriya
If you are in Polonnaruwa, you should take a bus from the bus station a little bit outside the city (Kaduruwela).
TIP: If you are going to Sigiriya, Dambulla or Kandy you don’t need to go to the station, you can stop your bus in Old town junction (and the buses are not coming full already).
If you don’t want to take that risk and want to go to Kaduruwela to catch your bus, there are many buses that can take you, you don’t need to take a tuk-tuk.
Where to stay in Sigiriya
The hostel area is located on the main road, close to the restaurants. You should find a place in this area so that you can go walking to Sigiriya rock.
TIP: In Sigiriya I booked a beautiful hostel near the main road: Chanaka Homestay Sigiriya. This a super nice place, whose owners are a really nice couple. Totally recommended!
Sigiriya Rock
Sigiriya gets its name from a site of historical and archaeological significance, dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (477 – 495 CE) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful frescoes.
On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock, he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure: Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock.
Pirudangala Rock
Just a few minutes drive from Sigiriya, you can reach this smaller rock located one km north of Lion’s rock.
TIP:If you want to avoid paying 25$ to visit Sigiriya Rock, you can go directly to Pirudangala. The views of Sigiriya are just breath-taking. It is overlooked by the tourists, so you can expect to be practically by your own. And it will just cost you 3,5$.
Click in the next link if you want to know everything about Dambulla and the Cave Temple.
[divider style=”shadow” margin_top=”30px” margin_bottom=”30px”]
BROWSE THE GALLERY AND CLICK FOR HQ PICTURES
