Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom
Yapahuwa Ancient Kingdom
4.5
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4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
9
Average
2
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0
Terrible
1
Cyril T
Colombo, Sri Lanka4 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
After the decline of Polonnaruwa capital of Sri Lanka was shifted to Yapahuwa by King Bhuvanekabahu the first. The palladium of the Sinhalese Buddhist nation, the sacred tooth relic of Buddha was enshrined within the newly built temple at the Yapahuwa royal residence in 13th century Yapahuwa was able to preserve some interesting remains. While many traces of other ancient defenses are still be seen, an ornamental stairway remains it’s the main draw. capital of Sri Lanka in 1301, today, the Royal residence, the Temple of Tooth Relic, the battle defenses are in ruins. While many traces of other ancient defenses are still be seen, an ornamental stairway remains it’s the main draw. The ruined walls of Yapahuwa form a rough semicircle. The ends join the foot of the high steep-sided rocky granite outcrop. The outer fortification, an earthen rampart extends to about a mile is about 20feet in height. Over the rampart are the ruins of a brick wall that was erected for defences. Around the rampart was a moat. Around the rampart was a moat. Access to the fortress was by means of the three gates that connected to three causeways. Within this rampart was an inner fortification: a stone wall 12 feet in height and about 500 yards long with a moat outside it and with two gates.
Stone Stairway in Yapahuwa
The Stone stairway originally comprised of three flights of stone stairs, one above the other, however the lower one has disappeared and been replaced by cement steps. The walls on either side of the stairway form pavilions in each of which is a graceful female figure. Above these sculptures are sculptures of stylized goggle-eyed spring and the in balustrades above these, the head of lions have transformed into the Elephants with their trunks extended. Beautiful rock carvings of jubilant musicians, dancers and drummers decorate the last staircase and the porch above them.
Also you can see “Door way”, stairway the pilgrim will reach the impressive and harmoniously conceived doorway that once led into the Temple of the Tooth.
Caves on the top of the hill are inhabited by ascetic monks for centuries. Also there are another caves in base of the rock there is a fortification with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings including a Buddhist shrine. There is also a Buddhist temple called Yapahuwa Raja Maha Vihara built during the Kandyan period.
Stone Stairway in Yapahuwa
The Stone stairway originally comprised of three flights of stone stairs, one above the other, however the lower one has disappeared and been replaced by cement steps. The walls on either side of the stairway form pavilions in each of which is a graceful female figure. Above these sculptures are sculptures of stylized goggle-eyed spring and the in balustrades above these, the head of lions have transformed into the Elephants with their trunks extended. Beautiful rock carvings of jubilant musicians, dancers and drummers decorate the last staircase and the porch above them.
Also you can see “Door way”, stairway the pilgrim will reach the impressive and harmoniously conceived doorway that once led into the Temple of the Tooth.
Caves on the top of the hill are inhabited by ascetic monks for centuries. Also there are another caves in base of the rock there is a fortification with two moats and ramparts. In this enclosure there are the remains of a number of buildings including a Buddhist shrine. There is also a Buddhist temple called Yapahuwa Raja Maha Vihara built during the Kandyan period.
Written 10 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chindika
Colombo68 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
Well preserved ruins with wonderful stone carvings are a joy to explore. The ruins and the temple are set in a tranquil, green space. In addition to the palace ruins on the ground level, (steep) stone stairway leads to the remains of the old temple of the sacred tooth relic and the summit (of the rock) beyond. Moderate climb to the top of the huge granite rock takes about 15 minutes and the view from the top is worth the climb. Located just off the Kurunegala-Padeniya-Anuradhapura main road at Maho, it is easily accessible by road or rail.
Written 29 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sudesh
Matara, Sri Lanka1,505 contributions
July 2019 • Friends
This is a historical place where some of not discover yet. Before you visit, better study the history, then you can understand the real value.
You have to climb up, so nice adventure. But avoid the mid day hot sun, as top of mountains is burning. There is a museum also near by.
Need minimum 4 hours to cover all area. Remember to bring a water bottle when you climb. But bring back all garbage please. Need to visualise more deatil at each point.
You have to climb up, so nice adventure. But avoid the mid day hot sun, as top of mountains is burning. There is a museum also near by.
Need minimum 4 hours to cover all area. Remember to bring a water bottle when you climb. But bring back all garbage please. Need to visualise more deatil at each point.
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nilmini D
Colombo, Sri Lanka265 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Yapahuwa is in the Northwestern Province. Just three miles from the Maho railway station. It is also called ‘Subha Pabbata’ (or ‘Subha’s rock’) since military leader named Subha who used this location’s as a point of military defense. It has a history dating back to the 13th Century as Sri Lanka’s seat of governance and home to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Today it is one of the country’s most unique and important sites of historic interest .
Written 2 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G P
South Pacific139 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
We visited in Dec 2013.
We had a bad start as yet again we felt ripped off in Sri Lanka.
The access fee was supposed to be 500 rp but they doubled it to 1000 Rp. It is not worth it
Though the initial steps are of interest, the rest is pretty average.
Just go to Sigiriya and forget about such places as this one.
Sri Lanka is getting too greedy and is pricing itself out of the tourism market.
we found America was cheaper and a lot less hassle
We had a bad start as yet again we felt ripped off in Sri Lanka.
The access fee was supposed to be 500 rp but they doubled it to 1000 Rp. It is not worth it
Though the initial steps are of interest, the rest is pretty average.
Just go to Sigiriya and forget about such places as this one.
Sri Lanka is getting too greedy and is pricing itself out of the tourism market.
we found America was cheaper and a lot less hassle
Written 29 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Albia-Newton
Evanton, UK4,727 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A medieval fortress and palace complex dating from the 1200s. Fantastic climb up to the top of the rock with brilliant views
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darshana Ratnayake
Amman, Jordan2,082 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
Its a amazing kindom to visit. Better go morning or evening. Its a great work of 12th century.
There is a huge, stunning rock stairways to the top of the kindom. Top of the rock a old temple. Cave temple is just under the big rock.
There is a huge, stunning rock stairways to the top of the kindom. Top of the rock a old temple. Cave temple is just under the big rock.
Written 17 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sherry_dissa
Colombo, Sri Lanka612 contributions
July 2019 • Family
That is a very beautiful place for visit in sri lanka.that is a lot of stone arts and also that is the very uniq ruince of the sri lanka.
Written 1 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ceylon Beach Travels
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka16 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Yapahuwa was one of the capitals of medieval Sri Lanka. The citadel of Yapahuwa was built around a huge granite rock rising abruptly almost a hundred meters above the surrounding lowlands.
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pauline R
Busselton, Australia322 contributions
June 2018 • Family
Interesting visit, old monastery with large red Buddha statue "Aukana", 12 metre high carved in the 5th century
Written 8 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to take morning train from Habarana and I check the nearest station to Yapahuwa is Maho Junction. Could anyone please advise whether the train is direct (without changing train)? It confuses me as if I check it through google map or rome2rio, the route is not possible. Some will show the end destination is Polgahawela station. And is there many tuktuk waiting at the nearest train station to go to Yapahuwa? Should we ask the tuktuk driver to wait at Yapahuwa while we explore the place? Appreciate your answers. Thank you.
Written 2 August 2019
If you want to go to yapahuwa.you can get a train to colombo fort.all that trains stop that MAHO junction.then you can go to yapahuwa easly use by that station...
Written 2 August 2019
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