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Trail Directory · Heritage climb

Dambulla Cave Temple: The Climb to the Painted Caves

Easy · Matale District · Central Province

Buddha statues in the Dambulla cave temple
Photo: Philip Nalangan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
EinfachSchwierigkeitsgrad
Golden Temple, DambullaAusgangspunkt
Heritage climbTyp

The Dambulla cave temple sits near the top of a rock that rises 160 m above the plain, 72 km north of Kandy. Its five painted caves hold 153 Buddha statues, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The short climb up the rock is part of the visit.

Was Sie durchlaufen werden

The path starts below the Golden Temple, with its giant golden Buddha, and climbs the rock to the five main caves. The largest statue is a reclining Buddha about 15 m long. More than eighty caves are recorded on and around the rock, and the top gives wide views over the surrounding plain.

Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the caves. The rock is hot underfoot by midday.

Zugang & Genehmigungen

An active Buddhist temple and a protected monument. We could not confirm the ticketing body or the foreigner price from an official source, and published prices disagree, so we do not print one; bring cash. Dress modestly and remove shoes at the caves.

On the map

Pin 1 is Dambulla Cave Temple. The others are the nearest places in our trail directory.

  1. Dambulla Cave Temple: The five painted caves.
  2. Sigiriya: The Lion Rock fortress. About 17 km away.
  3. Pidurangala-Felsen: Trail guide: the view of Sigiriya. About 17 km away.
  4. Ritigala: Summit reserve; the monastery ruins are on the eastern slope. About 28 km away.

Wichtige Sehenswürdigkeiten und Besonderheiten

  • Golden Temple - The giant golden Buddha at the foot of the rock.
  • Five main caves - Painted cave shrines, still in daily use.
  • Reclining Buddha - About 15 m long, the largest statue in the complex.
  • Rock-top views - Out over the plain.

Die beste Reisezeit

Early morning or late afternoon; the rock heats up at midday.

Anreise & Praktisches

  • Where it is - In Dambulla town, 72 km north of Kandy; Sigiriya is a short drive away, so the two are often combined in a day.
  • What to wear - Shoulders and knees covered. Shoes and hats come off before the caves, so wear shoes that are easy to slip off.
  • Timing - Early morning or late afternoon: the rock and its steps heat up at midday.
  • How long - Allow about two hours with the walk up and the caves; the golden Buddha and museum sit at the foot of the rock.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What should I wear to the Dambulla cave temple?

Cover your shoulders and knees. Shoes and hats come off before you enter the caves; it is an active temple.

How many caves are there at Dambulla?

There are five main caves near the top of the rock, holding 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of kings and 4 of gods and goddesses. More than 80 caves are recorded in the surrounding area.

How big is the reclining Buddha at Dambulla?

The largest statue in the complex is a reclining Buddha about 15 m long.

Is Dambulla a UNESCO site?

Yes. The cave temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Can I visit Dambulla and Sigiriya on the same day?

Yes. They are close together, and many visitors climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala in the morning and visit Dambulla in the afternoon.

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Sie können dies als geführte Tageswanderung unternehmen, mit nahegelegenen Zielen zu einer mehrtägigen Trekkingtour verbinden oder in eine individuelle Sri Lanka Wanderreise einbauen. Wir kümmern uns um Transport, Genehmigungen und die Logistik; Sie wandern.

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