සීගිරිය

Sigiriya

A fifth-century royal citadel built on a column of rock that rises 180 metres out of Sri Lanka’s central forest.

The water gardens

Pools, causeways and fountains laid out in strict symmetry below the rock. They are among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, and their channels still fill when the rains come.

Climb to the summit

About 1,200 steps lead past the Lion’s Paws to the ruins of King Kashyapa’s palace. Start early to reach the top before the heat, as the sun clears the forest.