Sigiriya

Sigiriya is the single most striking thing in Sri Lanka: a sheer column of granite standing alone above flat jungle, with the ruins of King Kasyapa's fifth-century palace on the summit.

The climb passes symmetrical water gardens, a sheltered gallery of frescoes painted fifteen hundred years ago, a polished mirror wall covered in ancient graffiti, and finally the giant lion's paws that give the rock its name. Start at seven in the morning to beat both the heat and the crowds. Neighbouring Pidurangala gives you the best photograph of Sigiriya itself for a fraction of the ticket price.

Getting there and when to go: Sigiriya is about 175 km from Colombo, around four hours by road, and 20 km from Dambulla. The climb to the summit is roughly 1,200 steps and takes an hour or so at an easy pace; go at opening time or late afternoon to avoid both the heat and the crowds. Pidurangala rock, next door, gives the classic view of Sigiriya itself and is a popular sunrise walk. The weather is most reliable from May to September.