How to explore Dambulla

Sri Lanka is known for its great culture and history, and every traveller would love to explore this beautiful nation at least once in their lifetime because of this same reason. When looking for destinations to explore in Sri Lanka, if this old city named 'Dambulla' comes up as a suggestion, don't ever miss out on this! It's a little town with an ancient feel and you just have so many things to explore when you are here. 

Want some more information? Read on! 

Dambulla, Sri Lanka 

Dambulla is not at all a modern city. It's a laid-back town with an ancient vibe, and this very fact makes locals call it a junction. You find Dambulla when you travel along the Colombo-Trincomalee road and Kandy-Anuradhapura road. Right at the centre of this junction-like city, you find the clock tower (many cities in Sri Lanka have this tradition), and the bus stand and the wholesale market also are located very close by. 

Traveling to Dambulla 

Where do you plan to travel to Dambulla from? If it is from Colombo, you can either choose the bus or the train. If it's from Kandy, you will be in Dambulla in 2 hour's time even if you take a train or a bus. 

If your plan is to stay at a property the likes of Ayurvie Sigiriya and then come to Dambulla, you may even take a tuk-tuk. It will only be a matter of a few minutes' ride, and the fee will not be high as well. 

Start from the main highlight of the city 

In Sri Lanka, one obvious fact that you'll notice is that most of its attractions have a Buddhist influence, and that's so magical. The main highlight of the city, Dambulla Cave Temple and Museum, is also such an attraction. The country had a lot of cave temples back then, but only a few remain to date. Here at this cave temple, you get the opportunity to explore 100+ Buddha statues and, not to forget, the cave temple also has murals and paintings that are both artistic and descriptive. 

 At the entrance of this temple premises, you see a huge golden statue of Lord Buddha, and from there, you also get the entrance to the ever-famous Dambulla Museum. When visiting this temple, make sure you wear modestly. Cover your legs and shoulders as well, as it's a religious attraction. 

Avukana Buddha Statue - to the north-west of Dambulla 

Travel to the north-western side of Dambulla for about an hour, and then you will come across one unknown attraction. It's a Buddha Statue carved out of a huge granite rock which is around 12 meters high. Isn't that so amazing? 

Although this attraction is hugely popular among the local crowd, it's not majorly visited by international travellers. But, it's a must-visit! You can also explore the surroundings on a tuk-tuk or a motorbike if you have time. You may then enjoy the village life in Sri Lanka while admiring the unspoilt natural beauty. 

Climb a rock 

Did you know that there are many historical rocks (well, some are fortresses- not just rocks!) around this area? Sigiriya, Yapahuwa and Pidurangala are just some of them. They are immensely popular among travellers, and each of them, when you climb up to the summit, offers unforgettable, splendid views. 

Note - Search on the internet about things to do near Sigiriya, and you will get all the information related to these experiences. You may not be able to cover all these activities within one day, so it's recommended to allocate at least 2-3 days for all these explorations.