Sigiriya is a colossal rock fortress that rises nearly 200 metres above the surrounding jungle, crowned by the ruins of a 5th-century royal palace that can only be reached by an extraordinary climb through landscaped gardens, past ancient frescoes and between the paws of a colossal lion gateway. Built by King Kashyapa, who chose this improbable summit as his seat of power, Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Asia’s finest archaeological treasures.