The lion's paws
At the last stairs.
Cherubino — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Linganathan Anushan — CC BY-SA 4.0 · WKMI96 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Unknown — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Michael Gunther — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shammidj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hazi96 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nipuna Gamage — CC BY-SA 4.0
A royal citadel on a massive granite column about 180 metres high, rising out of green plains. King Kashyapa (477–495 CE) chose it as his capital, built his palace on the flat summit and entered it through a gateway shaped like an enormous lion, which gave the site its name, Lion Rock. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The way up starts in geometric water gardens, among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, then boulder and terraced gardens, before stairways and walkways fixed to the rock face. Halfway up is the Mirror Wall, once polished so the king could see his reflection, and covered in verses written by visitors from as early as the 8th century. On the upper terrace only the lion's two giant stone paws remain at the foot of the last staircase. The summit holds the ruins of the palace and its pools, with an open view over forests, lakes and distant hills. Foreign adults pay USD 35 and children USD 20, per the Central Cultural Fund. The climb is about 1,200 steps, per visitor guides, so start at opening time to beat the heat and the crowds, carry plenty of water, and think twice if you are uneasy with heights.
At the last stairs.
Among the oldest.
Palace ruins.
Sigiriya, Matale District, Central Province
USD 35 for foreign adults and USD 20 for children, per the Central Cultural Fund.
At opening time in the morning, before the heat and the crowds, or late in the day; it is about 1,200 steps, per visitor guides.
