Yapahuwa revisited
We last visited Yapahuwa in 2001, so a return visit was long overdue. Yapahuwa deserves to be much better known, but it is away from the main tourist routes, being located midway between Kurunegala and Puttalam, neither city much visited by foreign tourists. About a thousand years old, the ruins are set on a rock much like Sigiriya, and just as interesting though smaller in scale. At the foot of the rock are the remains of many more buildings and gardens, again much like Sigiriya. And the bonus – in a temple next to the rock is a cave with Buddha images and paintings to rival Dambulla. One of the monks opens the door to the cave temple with an enormous brass key. It really is a fascinating place, though the climb up – and especially back down! – the steep stairway with not much to hold onto is not for those with mobility problems or vertigo! Entry costs a tiny fraction of what you pay for Sigiriya or Dambulla. The downside is the lack of signage and information in English. It would be good if the archaeology service could do something about that. We stayed the night at the nearby Yapahuwa Paradise hotel which has a great pool, friendly and efficient staff, comfortable rooms, good food and Lion lager on draught – what’s not to like?
https://hotelyapahuwaparadise.com/
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