You have got to see this place for yourself to believe it. Absolutely amazing. I took a public bus from Dambulla to Sigiriya. If I remember correctly the bus cost maybe 20 or 30 rupees. A three-wheeler (bajaj) will charge US$5 or 600 rupees for the same trip. If you do take the bus it drops you at the back entrance to Sigiriya rock so you'll need to hoof it a bit (maybe 15 minutes walk) or catch a free ride from a friendly motorcyclist or pay one of the eagerly awaiting three-wheelers. There are "elephant safaris" (riding elephants) available not far from the bus stop, though I didn't take one, it looked like fun for families/groups.

If you are scared of heights then a visit to Sigiriya is probably not for you. Lots of narrow steel stairways attached to the side of the rock. They are open (though the spiral staircase from the mirror wall level to the rock mural level is enclosed, it is still open air and its easy to see how far up you are) and give you an incredible, exhilirating view. I am not scared of heights, but my heart was pounding just a bit!

If you are scared of heights and still want to visit, you can probably make it to the level with the lion's paws. You may want to pass on the spiral staircase to the wall murals, though they are so incredibly beautiful and vibrant, I would highly recommend seeing them. It is from the lion's paws that the staircases get higher and higher and more and more narrow. But what an amazing view from the top!

You don't need a guide though plenty of hopefuls will hang out at the entrance and follow you a good ways. When they drop off there will be more "helpful" individuals all along the way, willing to hold your hand, boost you up, give you info, all for some money. This can be annoying but a firm "no thanks" is usually sufficient. (Though one guy did follow me from the entrance through the water gardens telling me repeatedly that I looked like such a kind and wonderful person, that I looked like a princess, and that it would be his pleasure to accompany me to the top....). You can buy picture information books from various individuals as well.

It costs US$25 for foreign visitors if you are only visiting Sigiriya, or its entrance is included in pass that gives entrance to multiple historic sites in the Ancient Cities area (US$50 for the pass). It is pricey, but this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth the price! Think of the money going to preserve this incredible site.

An astonishing rock that just shoots 200 meters up from the surrounding flatland. According to one story, it was rebuilt to serve as royal fortress and palace during a battle for the throne between two brothers, some 1500 hundred years ago. It definitley holds some oohs and aahs as you climb up the raggedy stairways and bridges. Among those is the gallery of old frescs of some bigbrested ladies midway up the rock, and the lions gate from where you ascend to the absolute to top, where you'll find a view which perfectly explains why this place was picked to serve as a wartime fortress.
There are the remains from the palace up top, and the great swimmingpool is still there... 200 meters up, and they still haven't figured out exactly how they got the water up there. This is a world heritage site, and well worth the trip. the gardens around the rock are beautiful and is inhabited by monkeys and different kinds of lizards. They serve as snacks for those interested in photography. Catch them if you can ;)

Dambulla is 148 km from Colombo on Colombo Trincomali road. when you enter to the site you have to buy entrance ticket it is USD30. and you can take a guide for USD10. Damulla is a vast isolated rock mass, which houses a rock temple (formerly caves). Some of its frescoes are over 2,000 years old - and there is a colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.

Sigiriya Rock is a large stone, and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens and reservoirs. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos). It is declared by UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the World.

To go all the way up to the top, you need a bit of physical condition. And if you are used to the heat, you really have to climb up the steps. On the way you'll see some nice paintings and the view on the top is priceless.