Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, Maho: Sri Lanka’s Hidden Cultural Rock

Off the beaten track and hidden just off the A28 you can find Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, a looming rock that appears out of nowhere with a rich history important to the Sri Lankan People. Yapahuwa Rock Fortress or temple, is Sigiriya's smaller, less known brother that is worth a visit if you happen to be passing on your way to Anuradhapura or if you want a lesser-known authentic Sri Lankan experience.  

Click Me! To Find The Best Places To Stay Near Yapahuwa

Contents

Where Is Yapahuwa Rock Fortress?

The fortress is located in the sleepy village of Yapahuwa which is near the main town of Maho. Located just off the main A28 Road, it will take approximately 3.5 hours by car from Colombo (or 5 by tuk-tuk) and is a great cultural stop in central Sri Lanka. 

How To Get To Yapahuwa Sri Lanka?

Hire Car or Tuk-tuk Rental

One of the best ways to see Sri Lanka is by travelling like a local, that’s why we choose to rent a tuk-tuk for our trip. This made it super easy to access off the beaten track locations. Just type it into google maps and you’re good to go. Alternatively you could rent a car and explore the country in more comfort.

Private Taxi or Tuk-tuk

If you don't fancy driving the crazy Sri Lankan roads we don’t blame you and would recommend hiring a private driver, this is a good option if there is a group of you as it will work out cheaper than a tour. If you’re solo or in a couple then a tuk-tuk will be the cheapest option however they are uncomfortable so maybe only for a short distance from a neighbouring town.

Tour Bus

If you're on holiday and just want to relax then it makes so much sense to Join a tour to Yapahuwa which will sort all of your transport for you!

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress History

Yapahuwa was once a palace and stronghold and was in fact the capital of Sri Lanka, albeit for a short period of 11 years. Similar to the famous Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya, the fortress was built on top of the imposing rock with inner and outer sections. Sadly, today you can’t see much apart from one stupa on top, hence why Lion’s rock has become more popular with tourists (although we still think Yapahuwa is worth a visit if you’re passing.)

This isn’t the only history found at Yapahuwa. The famous, sacred tooth relic of the Buddha that now resides at Kandy’s Tooth Temple was found on this site, and as you can imagine this is of great importance. 

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress Description

When you arrive at Yapahuwa you will pay SR2000 per person to enter, it’s worth noting there are toilets near the ticket office. 

You will be greeted by a very steep, ethereal staircase that leads the way to the top of the rock.

The staircase is extremely picturesque and would be a lovely location for a photoshoot, although I couldn’t help but think to the rule that stairs shouldn’t be more than a certain number of steps due to free falling down them… these steps definitely wouldn’t pass a health and safety check. 

Pass the doorway with the guarding lion statues and head left onto a jungle pathway. Around a 15 minute walk up following the stone path will lead you to the top of the rock and 360 degree views across the area. 

We spent around 20 minutes exploring the top, although there’s not much to see apart from a small pond to dip your feet and an ancient stupa, it’s nice to take in the view after the hot, steep incline. 

Once you’ve finished soaking up the distant mountains and ground littered with palm trees make your way back down the rock. Take it slow and we recommend wearing a good pair of trainers, although of course all the locals exclusively wear flip flops.

Yapahuwa Rock Fortress Entrance Fee

We paid RM2000 each per person (£5.00)

Yapahuwa vs Sigiriya Lion Rock 

The main difference here is that Lion Rock's Fortress is more intact meaning the history and significance of the sight is greater. Many more people choose to visit Lion Rock to see the remains, plus it's further south on a more touristic route. Although Lion Rock is busier, we saw no other tourists at Yapahuwa, we still think it's worth a visit and Yapahuwa isn't a substitute due to the lack of fortress remains.

If you happen to be heading further North or to Anuradhapura then we recommend you stop to hike up Yapahuwa. The lack of tourists make it a unique experience plus it only costs £5 compared to Sigiriya's £27.

What To Bring To Yapahuwa Rock Fortress?

Although the hike is only a short 20 minutes it’s steep and hot meaning you will need to bring lots of water. We saw lots of people in flip flops but we were glad we had our trainers on as the steps are narrow and sometimes tricky. We were informed the area is also considered a temple but I was allowed to enter with my knees and shoulders showing. 

Final Thoughts on Yapahuwa Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka

An incredible natural rock that holds rich history of Sri Lanka’s past. Although there’s not as much to see as Lion’s rock this budget friendly cultural site is worth the stop if you plan adventuring up to Sri Lanka’s north. 

With panoramic views across to distant mountains, the 20 minute hike will reward you with the beauty of Sri Lanka’s landscape. We arrived at midday on our way up to Anuradhapura but we can imagine at sunset and sunrise this place is absolutely stunning. 

Travel Tools To Help You Plan

These are some of the travel tools we love and use daily, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you.

Thank you for reading and enjoy your Sri Lankan adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!

*Some links in this article are affiliate meaning we may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you! It helps grow the blog so thank you for supporting us.