Sigiriya rock complex. Sights of Sigiriya: list, photo and description. Fortress resembling a city
Sigiriya is one of the unique landscapes of Sri Lanka. An imposing lone rock proudly rises above the surrounding plain. At the top of the rock in ancient times life was in full swing - already before our era there were shelters of monks, and later, during the reign of King Kasapa (477-495), Sigiriya turned into a complex city, becoming an impregnable fortress. Basically, the remains of buildings on the rock, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, date back to the reign of Kasapa.
Everything built at that time, even in a destroyed form, surprises with ingenuity and grace. Functional water cisterns still collect water, incredible gardens of a rare layout keep the remnants of luxury. Everyone, without exception, is struck by the famous mirror wall, made of a special material and covered with ancient verses. A ancient temple on the rock has a valuable collection of unusual frescoes of a rather frivolous content.
Greatness palace complex Kasapa still leaves an incredible impression, and it is rightfully included in the list of rare and especially valuable historical objects of Sri Lanka.
Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawala
The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was opened in 1975 on the Maha Oya River. The main goal pursued by the creators of the park was to save the orphaned elephants, who were expected to die imminently if they had remained in wild nature. Thanks to the successful work of the shelter staff, today over eighty elephants live here, many of which are the offspring of the very first elephants that the nursery sheltered.
The Pinnawala Orphanage contains the most a large number of elephants in captivity. In many respects, this became possible due to the increased attention from tourists - all the money received from the sale of entrance tickets goes to the maintenance of elephants: after all, each adult eats 72 kilograms of grass per day, as well as 2 kilograms of rice and bran.
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Sigiriya mountain plateau
Sigiriya - the famous mountain plateau in the center of Sri Lanka, on which the ruins of the eponymous ancient fortress and the remains of a Buddhist monastery in a cave. Sigiriya is a popular tourist attraction on the island and has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. cultural heritage.
The word "sigiriya" in translation means "lion rock". This plateau rises almost two hundred meters above the ground. The first fortification appeared here at the end of the fifth century - King Kasapa ordered the construction of an impregnable fortress on the mountain, which soon became the royal residence. In ancient times it was unusual a nice place- picturesque gardens were laid out around Sigiriya and fountains were built, which were considered among the first in the world. Famous people led to the top of the plateau lion gate only partially preserved to this day.
Today Sigiriya is historical monument. In addition to the surviving Lion Gate, on the top of the plateau, the remains of an ancient fortress and the royal palace, as well as the ruins of cave monastery. On the rock, you can still see old frescoes and poems carved on stone. In addition, a wonderful view of the surroundings opens up from the top of the plateau, which also attracts many tourists here.
When we talk about palaces, the imagination draws some airy, almost weightless castles. But here is the palace built in and which UNESCO took under its protection, it is the only one of its kind in the world - it is carved on a huge rock. Translated from the Sinhalese language, the word sigiriya means "Lion Rock". It is considered one of the main attractions of the country. Mount Sigiriya is a high plateau with a magnificent palace and fortress complex. It is surrounded by gardens, swimming pools, and many dilapidated ancient buildings. From the foot to the top there is a long line of steps - to get to the top of the rock, you need to overcome 2,100 degrees!
Mount Sigiriya - video
A bit of history
The history of Sigiriya began with the fact that Kasapa, in order to seize the throne (on the advice of his power-hungry and treacherous wife), immured his own father alive in the rock. And he built the huge palace of Sigiriya to protect himself from the revenge of his brother. But, fate turned out so that Kasapa died in this impregnable palace: the enemies nevertheless got to him, and when the king saw a huge army at the foot of the mountain, he cut his throat.
The scale of the city that surrounds the rock is simply amazing - its area is approximately 130 hectares. The most amazing part of the city, of course, is the rock of Sigiriya, on which the royal palace. Only irrigation canals today remind of the complex structure of this city and its unusual architecture. At the top of the rock was the royal residence, it was from there that the ruler enjoyed beautiful view surroundings. Built in the 5th century, Kasapa's palace looked like a huge monumental building. The fortress of Sigiriya: many rooms, throne rooms - only their foundations have survived to this day, but you can also understand from their outline that there was something majestic here.
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka - photos
Sigiriya - Attractions
On a small observation deck(immediately in front of the rock) preserved foundation royal stairs. It was made in the shape of a lion's head - the mouth was open and the stairs led straight inside. Now only paws remain from the lion. Kasapa chose the lion as a symbol of his power not by chance - he believed that the sight of this animal inspires sacred fear in his enemies. The Lion Staircase was the last bastion before entering the castle. It is noteworthy that the king himself did not walk up the stairs - a special lift was installed for him on the steepest section.
Tourists often think Sigiriya a place of sinful carnal pleasures - the inhabitants of this palace spent their time in pleasures and carnal pleasures. It becomes clear why this place has such a reputation. The "Cave of Heavenly Maidens" leads to the top of the rock, where there are numerous frescoes. One version says that the frescoes depict the concubines of Kasapa, because the king had a very extensive harem. According to another, these are images of goddesses who allegedly descended from the sky to greet Kasapa. According to legend, 500 beautiful girls were depicted on the walls of this cave (which is 40 meters long). "Cave of the Heavenly Maidens" frescoes of Sigiriya is the biggest art gallery i in the world. However, only 15 images have come down to us intact: when Kasapa died, monks came here to found a monastery on the mountain. Religious feelings surged against the images of naked girls, and the monks washed the frescoes they could reach. But even those frescoes that remained are enough to appreciate the depth of the skill of ancient artists. Looking at the images of ancient beauties, one never ceases to be amazed at how well the frescoes have been preserved over the past 1.5 thousand years. It should be noted the peculiarity of these images, deliberately emphasized by the artist - women have a very narrow waist and a magnificent bust.
Also of interest is old wall, made from sand, granite chips and tree bark, which was previously used for defense. This wall is very old, so you can not come close to it. It is notable for the fact that the annals of the state are written on it. The numbers on the wall indicate the chapters (there are 60 in total), and in some places there are still inscriptions in the ancient Sinhalese language that tell an amazing story.
At the foot of the cliff royal palace, located amazing and lush gardens of sigiriya. There are several types of these gardens - terrace gardens, rock gardens and water gardens. From the cliff they stretch almost to the horizon.
How to get to Sigiriya
Get to Sigiriya the most convenient way is to take a bus from to the city of Dambulla, and then transfer to a sightseeing bus that brings tourists directly to Sigiriya. Climbing up (overcoming all the steps) is not a test for the weak in spirit and body. But for those who decide to climb, a real miracle awaits at the top.
Sigiriya map of attractions
Sigiriya on the map, panorama
Sigiriya, or Sinhagiri (Lion Rock), is an ancient mountain fortress located in the central part of administrative district Matale (Matale) near the city (Dambulla) in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. This name is given to an area of great historical and archaeological significance, above which a massive rock column about 200 m high rises. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle Kulavamsa (Culavamsa), this place was chosen by King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) to build their capital. On top of this rock, he erected his palace and decorated it around the perimeter with colorful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway to the summit, he built a gate in the shape of a giant lion. It was this building that gave the name to the whole place - Sinhagiri - Lion Rock. After the death of the king, the capital and the palace were abandoned. Until the 14th century, a Buddhist monastery was located here.
Sigiriya is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the best surviving examples of urban development of ancient times.
History of Sigiriya
According to the Kulavamsa chronicle, Kashyapa was the son of King Datusena. Kashyapa kills his father by immuring him alive and seizes his throne, rightfully belonging to his brother Mugalan, son of Datusena by the rightful queen. Moggallana is forced to flee to India to avoid being killed by Kashyapa, but vows revenge. In India, he is gathering an army to return and take the throne of Sri Lanka, which he considers his rightful. Knowing that Mogallana will definitely return, Kashyapa builds a palace on the top of Sigiriya, turning it into a fortress and a place of entertainment. Finally, Mogallana returns and declares war. During the battle, Kashyapa's army leaves their king and he commits suicide by throwing himself on a sword.
Kulavamsa and folk tales tell that Kashyapa's war elephant changed direction to take a strategic position, but the army misunderstood his maneuver and thought that the king had decided to retreat, which caused the entire army to abandon their king. The chronicle says that he was too proud to give up, so he pulled the dagger from the sheath hanging from his belt, cut his throat, proudly raised the dagger, sheathed it and fell dead. Moggallana returned the capital to Anuradhapura, turning Sigiriya into a monastic complex.
Exists alternative history, according to which King Datusena is considered the original founder of Sigiriya, and Kashyapa completed the construction in honor of his father. In some stories, Kashyapa acts as a rake king, and Sigiriya was his palace for pleasure. Opinion differs even regarding the eventful life of Kashyapa. Some sources report that he was poisoned by his mistress, others that he cut his own throat, left alone during the decisive battle. However, all further versions agree that Sigiriya became a Buddhist monastery and was no longer used for military purposes. She may have played an important role in the rivalry between the Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist traditions in ancient Sri Lanka.
The earliest evidence of human presence in Sigiriya was found in the rock grotto of Aligala (Aligala) to the east of the rock of Sigiriya, which suggests that the area was inhabited about five thousand years ago during the Mesolithic.
During the 3rd century BC. on the western and northern slopes of the rocky hills surrounding Sigiriya, settlements of Buddhist monks arose. During this period several mountain grottoes, or caves. These grottoes were created under large boulders, and drains were carved near the entrance to the cave. On many grottoes near the drains, carved inscriptions are found indicating that these caves were transferred to the Buddhist monastic community as dwellings. Such grottoes date back to the 3rd century BC. - 1st century AD
Archaeological remains and their features
In 1831, Major Jonathan Forbes of the 78th Scottish Regiment of the British Army, returning on horseback from a trip to Polonnaruwa, discovered "the bushy peak of Sigiriya." Sigiriya attracted the attention of collectors of antiquities and, later, archaeologists. Archaeological excavations began on a small scale in Sigiriya in the 1890s. H. C. P. Bell became the first archaeologist to conduct a comprehensive study of Sigiriya. As part of the Cultural Triangle project, initiated by the government of Sri Lanka, since 1982, significant attention has been paid to Sigiriya. For the first time full-scale archaeological work throughout the city were started thanks to this project. The entrance was guarded by the head and paws of a lion, but the head fell many years ago.
Sigiriya consists of ancient citadel, erected by King Kashyapa in the 5th century. The archaeological site of Sigiriya includes the ruins upper palace, located on a flat cliff top, a terrace on the middle level, including the Lion's Gate and a wall of mirrors with frescoes, the lower palaces, hidden behind the lush gardens of the lower level, as well as the moats and ramparts that protected the citadel. Sigiriya was both a palace and a fortress. On the territory of the upper palace on top of the cliff are tanks carved into rock. The moats and walls surrounding the lower palaces are extremely beautiful.
city plan
Sigiriya is considered one of the most clear examples urban development of the first millennium, and the plan of the city seems to be exceptionally thoughtful and diverse. This plan combines the concepts of symmetry and asymmetry, used to intricately intertwine man-made geometric shapes with the natural contours of the surrounding area. On the western slope of the cliff there is a park for the royal family, laid out according to a symmetrical plan; the park contains water-retaining structures, including complex surface/underground hydraulic systems, some of which are still in operation. There is an artificial reservoir on the southern slope; it was actively used during the time of the previous capital, located in the dry belt of Sri Lanka. The entrances were blocked by five gates. It is believed that only members of the royal family could use the western, most ornate, gate.
In 1907, John Still suggested that "the whole surface of the hill looks like it was a gigantic art gallery...perhaps the largest in the world." Apparently the images covered most western slope rocks – surface 140 m long and 40 m high. According to some reports, 500 girls were depicted in these drawings. However, most of these frescoes have been lost forever. Some frescoes, different from those on the cliff side, can be seen in other places, for example, on the ceiling of a room called "Cobra Hood Cave".
Although the frescoes are classified as works from the Anuradhapura period, the style of depiction is considered unique: the lines and style of painting are different from the Anuradhapura frescoes. The lines are displayed in such a way that the figures appear more voluminous. The paint was applied in sweeping strokes with a lot of pressure on one side, thus creating the effect of a more saturated color closer to the edges. Other images from the Anuradhapura period used the same painting technique, but they lack the contour lines used in the Sigiriya style, which is a characteristic artistic technique. The identities of the girls depicted in the frescoes are still unknown. There are different points of view on this. Some believe that these are court ladies, while others believe that these girls took part in religious rites. These frescoes closely resemble those found in the Ajanta caves in India.
Mirrored wall and spiral staircase leading to the frescoes
Previously, this wall was polished so carefully that the king, walking along it, could see his own reflection. This wall is a brickwork covered with white plaster polished to a mirror finish. Now this wall is partially covered with poems carved by travelers who visited the rock. On the wall there are inscriptions dated even to the 8th century. People left messages of the most varied nature on the wall: love, ironic and other poems. Now writing on the wall has been banned to protect the old inscriptions.
Dr. Senerat Paranavitana, an eminent Sri Lankan archaeologist, deciphered 685 verses written on a mirror wall in the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries AD.
One of them was translated into Sinhala like this:
“I am Budal [writer's name]. Came with a hundred people to see Sigiriya. Since everyone else was writing poems, I didn't do it!"
He left important information that travelers have been visiting Sigiriya for a long time.
Gardens of Sigiriya
The gardens of Sigiriya are one of the most important features of the city as they are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. These gardens fall into three distinct but interrelated forms: water gardens, cave and rock gardens, and terraced gardens.
water gardens
Water gardens are found in the central part of the western section. There are three main gardens. The first garden is a piece of land surrounded by water. It is connected to the main territory by means of four dams with gates located at the beginning of each of them. This garden is built according to the ancient garden model called "char bagh" and is one of the oldest examples of such construction that has survived to this day.
Deep pools are located in the second garden on both sides of the road. Two small serpentine streams flow into these pools. Fountains made of round limestone plates are installed here. Underground aqueducts supply water to these fountains, which are still in operation, especially during the rainy season. On both sides of the second water garden are two large islands. On the leveled surface of these islands are built summer palaces. Further north and south are two more islands. These islands are built in the same style as the island of the first water garden.
Sigiriya gardens - view from the top of Sigiriya rock
The third garden is located above the first two. It consists of a large octagonal basin with an elevation in the northeast corner. The large wall of the citadel, made of bricks and stones, runs along the eastern border of the garden.
Water gardens are built symmetrically about the east-west axis. They are connected to an outer moat to the west and a large artificial lake to the south of Sigiriya rock. In addition, all the pools are interconnected through a network of underground pipelines fed by the lake and also connected to the moat. To the west of the first water garden is a miniature water garden consisting of several small pools and channels. This newly discovered garden was probably built after the Kashyapa period, possibly between the 10th and 13th centuries.
stone gardens
The stone gardens are made up of several large boulders connected by winding paths. Such gardens stretch at the foot of the Sigiriya rock from the northern to southern slopes. On top of most of the boulders is a building or pavilion; cuts were made in them, which were used as the basis for brick walls and ceilings. When the enemy approached, such stones collided from the cliff onto the attacking armies.
Terraced gardens
The terraced gardens are formed by a natural elevation at the base of the Sigiriya rock. Several terraces lead from the paths in the stone gardens to the stairs in the rock. They were created using brick walls and are arranged around the rock in a concentric pattern. A limestone staircase leads through the terraced gardens. From this staircase, a covered path leads along the edge of the cliff to the highest terrace, on which the lion staircase is located.
Map of Sigiriya and surroundings
Sigiriya Photos
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Having bought tickets from Moscow to Colombo, I rushed to look for those sights that I want to see first of all in Sri Lanka. And even though I got to Sigiriya almost in the last place, she stood in my first place. How else?! You will look at the photographs that are taken against the backdrop of the Lion Rock. And having got acquainted closer with the past of this place, you can feel genuine historical interest in it.
From Dambulla
You can take any bus going to Sigiriya. During the day, they leave a few pieces. Just ask to be dropped off at Sigiriya Rock. You will find yourself on the path from which your hard way to the top. The fare is about 0.13 USD (20 LKR, Sri Lankan rupees) per person on a regular bus. The second option is tuk-tuk. For 6.6-7 USD (1000-1200 LKR) you can arrange with the driver to take you to the place, wait and take you back. Of course, you will have to bargain, and very thoroughly! :) By the way, the paths of elephants cross Sigiriya Road here and there. Seeing them in the evening is a common thing, but somehow I was not lucky.
Motorists and motorbikers will also easily reach Sigiriya along one of the main roads of the country - the Colombo-Trincomalee Highway. The trip will take you no more than 40 minutes (taking into account the fact that after the exit from the highway the road becomes quite narrow, and you have to give way to buses in order for them to pass).
From Sigiriya
From such districts of Dambulla as Kimbissa and Sigiriya of the same name, I will advise you to go by tuk-tuk. You can negotiate with the driver for 2.6–3.3 USD (400–500 LKR) to take you there and back. One way trip will cost you 0.7–1 USD (100–150 LKR).
Of course, if you are trying to save as much as possible, you can also take a regular bus and drive for a penny (less than 0.1 USD) to the start of the route to the rock. And yet, first check if you live within walking distance of it. The photo below is just one of the trails to the rock.
parking
In terms of parking, the owners of motorbikes are the luckiest - they will be able to do all the way to the ticket office on their iron horse, reducing their walk by about a kilometer. Motorists will have to leave their vehicles before the start of the hiking trail near the Sigiriya temple, about which you can read below.
Admission
A visit to the rock will cost you no less than 30 USD (4260 LKR). At the same time, for locals, the entrance costs only 0.33 USD (50 LKR). Unfortunately, these are the rules, but this money, in my opinion, is worth its impressions. By the way, children aged 6 to 12 receive a ticket at half the price, and those under 6 get it for free. Your ticket will also include admission to the museum in the park.
Working mode
Sigiriya ticket offices are open from 7:00 to 17:30. At the same time, the last visitors are let in at 5 pm, since darkness sets in soon enough after that. 3-4 hours are allotted for sightseeing. You will not pass the cash desk - it is located right on the way to the rock. After that, along the same path you will go to the checkpoint where your ticket will be checked.
What to see nearby
The surroundings of Sigiriya are rich in sights. In such a small area there are a lot of interesting things.
Mount Pidurangala
A good cheap alternative to Sigiriya. The height of this mountain is approximately the same, and the price of entry is 8 times lower. Below and on the way to the top of Pidurangala, there used to be a Buddhist monastery, which attracts pilgrims from all over the island. If you are not interested in the cultural and historical part of Sigiriya, and you only need beautiful views from above - go here! A nice plus will be a much smaller number of tourists.
Stupa Ramakele
It is assumed that this stupa was built during the reign of that particular king Kashyapa. It seems to me that this place will be interesting for those people who came down from Sigiriya early and want to see as much as possible. Only the rounded lower part remained from the stupa, densely covered with a layer of moss. It is located right next to Sigiriya Road.
Temple of Sigiriya
Well, how about in a place of historical importance for Buddhists and without a temple? When you find yourself at the beginning of the route to Sigiriya, you will have a choice - turn in one direction to the rock and in the opposite direction - to the temple. Be sure to look into the temple - although it is not some kind of work of art, it is definitely worth looking at the Buddha statue if you are interested.
- I would definitely not recommend visiting the place from 10 am to 4 pm. The ascent is quite difficult, it takes about 50-90 minutes. Older people and children should go here just after dawn to avoid crowds and sweltering heat.
- Be extremely careful with monkeys! They must not be touched, they must not smile - they perceive this as signs of aggression towards themselves. You don't have to feed them either. In addition, monkeys can easily try to snatch your phone or camera from your hands, even jump on your shoulders for the sake of it. Any monkey bite should be treated by a doctor immediately.
- Stock up on water - at least 1.5 liters per person. If anything, you can buy it in the cafe at the bottom of the cliff, but most likely you will need drinks earlier.
- A visit to Sigiriya is very well combined with.
Holidays on the island of Sri Lanka can give tourists an unforgettable pleasure, but for successful trip need to be aware of the nuances and interesting places this country. One of these is Sigiriya (Sri Lanka) - a fortress that every visitor should visit. But besides this, there are many other important things, for example, exotic animals and forgotten buildings.
About the sights of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one of the most popular resort places- she is famous for her comfortable tropical climate, delicious Ceylon tea, exotic nature, history, and ancient monuments.
- Anuradhapura- the first capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. Proclaimed the capital in 377 BC, this city developed rapidly and soon had a number of advantages, such as an irrigation system, an artificial lake for water supply and a high level of medicine. Unfortunately, in the 11th century, the city was attacked and turned into ruins, due to which it lost its status as the capital. Now Anuradhapura is a wonderful place for tourists.
- Polonnaruwa- Old city, which served as the capital after the defeat of Anuradhapura, but only until 1293. Here you can see a large number of historical architecture and feel the atmosphere of the past. A bicycle is perfect for moving around the streets of this city, although if you wish, you can get by with a leisurely walk on foot.
- Yala National Park - former reserve, which is home to about 44 species of mammals. There you can meet elephants, crocodiles, and even Ceylon leopards, which are in the red book (there are about thirty of them in the park).
- Sigiriya- a fortress built in a rocky plateau, where you can see well-preserved frescoes, ancient fountains that still function, the remains of an entrance in the form of a large lion's mouth and just enjoy beautiful view with very high altitude. It is about this attraction that will be described in detail.
Note! The name of the island has changed several times. It used to be called Ceylon, so everyone knows Ceylon tea they call it that. Today, Sri Lanka ranks third in the production of tea.
lion rock
Map of the mountains and uplands of Sri Lanka
The height above sea level gradually increases from the shores of the island to the center. Basically, most of the territory is occupied by plains. The most high mountain- Pidurutalagala, she is Mount Pedro, rises to 2524 meters above sea level. Although no less famous is Adam's Peak, whose height is 2243 meters. This place is considered sacred, so it is often visited by pilgrims. At an altitude of 1884 m, Nuwara Eliya is located - a city famous for its tea plantations and the production of this drink.
Note! Nuwara Eliya, translated as "city of light" or "city on the plain", is a very attractive area for tourists. There you can try real, fragrant Ceylon tea.
Detailed information about the mountain (rocky plateau) Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a rocky plateau that formed on the spot extinct volcano. In the 5th century, this rock was built impregnable fortress- seat of the reign of King Kassapa. This location was beneficial from a military point of view, because on this mountain the entire surrounding territory is very clearly visible: the height of the peak is 180 meters. Beautiful gardens flourished around Sigiriya, adorned with some of the world's first fountains. By the way, the fountains are well preserved and work even today.
Excursions to the rock
The fortress was discovered in Europe in 1907 thanks to the British explorer John Steele. He spoke of a huge art gallery. It is a question of a large hall of mirrors, which was once lined with porcelain. It contains a large number of frescoes. The gallery is famous for drawings of beautiful concubines. Unfortunately, only 18 frescoes remain with them, but despite their age, their colors have completely survived. The protective layer of calcite film played a key role here.
Note! The mirrored wall, covered with special porcelain, was so polished that King Kassapa could see his own reflection in it.
Sigiriya is translated as "Lion's Rock", and this name is fully consistent with this place: the entrance to the fortress was a large lion's mouth. The head of the lion did not survive, and now you can see only the paws of a fearsome beast. Getting there is quite difficult, you have to overcome a lot of steps. But the panorama that opens up to those who get there is definitely worth it.
Additional information for tourists
You can get to Sigiriya on your own or in a group with a guide. If tourists prefer to enjoy this area alone, then it will not be difficult to get to the point of arrival using public transport - there are regular buses from cities such as Colombo, Anardhapurna, Kandy and many others, but in some cases you will need to drive to Dambulla and change seats. If tourists are in the city of Colombo, you can use the train. You can also order a taxi, it will cost from $50*.
How much to pay for an excursion directly depends on the choice of organization, route and the provision of services, such as dinner or overnight stay. On average, excursions cost $150*. With a small budget, it is worth negotiating with the locals, they will take much less money for the services of a guide, from $ 50 *.
Note! Most likely on public transport you will not have time to reach the rocky plateau in one day. The best option there will be a passing car, taxi or car rental (if you know how to drive and navigate the map).
Walks in the lion's cave
In Sri Lanka, the temperature throughout the year is almost unchanged - 25 degrees. In autumn, throughout the islands are coming rain. In general, the climate in the west is more humid than in the east. It is worth considering that weather also depend on the height - the higher, the colder. For example, in Nuwara Eliya average temperature is approximately 15-16 degrees. Airfare to Sri Lanka more expensive in summer, therefore, if possible, it is better to choose a flight in winter.
Note! Entrance fee to the Lion Rock and Museum - $30*. It is recommended to take some money with you for small expenses.
Given the tropical hot climate, it is necessary to use a strong protection cream frequently. It makes no sense to take warm clothes, at most something light with long sleeves to protect yourself from the sun and possible insects.
Sri Lanka is a country with big amount believers should be respected in religious places.
Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, attractions
Note! In Sri Lanka, as in most other tourist places there is fraud. It is worth being careful, a tourist can be both imperceptibly robbed and deceived in money.
If tourists decide to relax in Sri Lanka, you should definitely look into lion rock- ancient ruins along with beautiful scenery will give you an unforgettable experience. The pleasant climate and rich nature are perfectly combined with beaches and old towns, which is recommended for all tourists to see with their own eyes.
*Prices are current as of September 2018.
