Seated in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Dambulla makes up a picturesque city rich with a range of attractions that would keep you engrossed in the heritage of this country. This city, whose history dates back to the second century B.C, has plenty of well-preserved artefacts of that period and would sweep you through the sands of time into a long gone era when Kings ruled the land.
Located about 148 kms from the capital Colombo, Dambulla is a rather convenient city to tour. The museum found in the city is a perfect starting point where you can get an informative introduction to the heritage sites that you are about to visit. The next stop is the symbol of the city, the historical cave temple that opens with a large Golden Buddha and which consists of a plethora of complex Buddhist images. The rock ceiling in the caves is particularly attractive as it is simply one large continuous area of colourful frescoes that depict tales of the Buddhist mythology together with stories of Buddha’s previous births. The cave temple also proudly boasts the most number of Buddha statues in one location and includes a large 14 metre rock carving of the recumbent Buddha.
Other places of interest include the Iron Wood Forest, known to be the oldest garden in the country, and the Rose Quartz Mountain Range. Believed to be over 500 million years old, this mountain range contains quartz deposits in a number of colours including rose, white and violet.
The city is lined with beautiful lakes and picturesque sites that make it a perfect destination for relaxation. A half hour drive away from Dambulla town stands the epic Sigiriya Rock, considered an eighth wonder of the world, this rock is a majestic display of fantastic craftsmanship and intelligent construction that are evident in Ceylon over 2000 years ago. Sigiriya is also a breathtaking town that affords beautiful scenery that one can savour. Enjoy your holiday by staying at a Sigiriya hotel that keeps you in close vicinity to all the cultural jewels of Sri Lanka. The Jetwing Vil Uyana is an outstanding choice that combines epic architecture, comfortable luxury and breathtaking scenery, making it one of the finest of Sri Lanka hotels.