5 Interesting Facts About Sigiriya, Sri Lanka - All that is fascinating about the teardrop island’s majestic Lion Rock

Admiring the gigantic, imposing rock fortress from the ground alone is sure to give you your fill of breathtaking grandeur, but the real treat awaits at the top, 180 metres high. The trek to the top involves a good 1,000 steps, where you can expect to put yourself through an incredible workout, making for an adventurous treat for your adventurous soul. All your effort would be totally worth it once you reach the top, where you are greeted with gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.

Sigiriya is, in fact, a city in the northern Matale District near the historically famous town of Dambulla in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, which plays host to the world-renowned Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Many tourists to the Indian Ocean island nation, and surprisingly, even a significant portion of locals, are unaware of the existence of a city called Sigiriya, which has long been overshadowed by the wide popularity of its very own star tourist attraction, the Lion Rock. If it weren't for the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient city of Sigiriya would be one of those many laid-back and low-key Sri Lankan cities that no one knows about.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress has a fascinating backstory to its name that is just as incredible as itself. Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, as it is known internationally, is a combination of the two Sinhalese words, 'Singha' meaning Lion and 'Giriya' meaning Paw, both of which can be seen on-site – the giant monumental paws sitting halfway up the rock on a small plateau and what remains of a brick lion that is believed, was once carved into the rock.

One of the most fascinating highlights of the rock fortress is its "mirror wall". The highly polished wall – now monikered, the mirror wall – was originally designed by King Kasyapa, the creator of mind-blowing Sigiriya, for the same use as the mirror that is on top of your dresser. Since then, the mirror wall became a graffiti board for Sigiriya's many visitors, with some messages dating back to as early as the 8th century CE.

In the midst of all the scenic beauty and architectural grandeur, the advanced hydraulic system running throughout the site, designed in the 5th century, is pretty impressive, even today in the 21st century. It is the same irrigation system that pumps water to the whole host of dams, canals, lakes, bridges, and fountains to date. To further complement the magnificence of Sigiriya, vacationing tourists could find an elegant Kandalama hotel in the vicinity, including the likes of Heritance Kandalama.