The Sigiriya Complex

Rising 200 meters from the jungle below, Sigiriya Rock dominates the flatlands and water tanks below. However, the true wonder of Sigiriya is to be found not in its imposing physical presence, but in the magnificent kingdom that centered around the rock, a city laid out in linear fashion, complete with water gardens, boulder terraces, adorned with artistry and sculpture. Sigiriya's design and engineering make it the most impressive first millennium site in Asia. Like Bagan, it is a site which would garner the same publicity of the traditional wonders of the ancient world, were it on the beaten tourist path. Click here or on the image above to visit this splendid example of ancient architecture with a rich and complex past.