Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka

Fortress over the forests

Though this scene reminiscent of 'The Lion King' is actually set nowhere near the savannahs of Africa, its grand granite subject bears the name Sigiriya, or Lion Rock. And like Mufasa reigned supreme from his high perch, King Kashyapa I held this high point as his seat of power during the 5th century. While the fortress was near impenetrable, it was far from stealthy: the 400-foot-high, 100-foot-wide western face of Lion Rock was once covered in colorful frescoes. Though most of these murals have worn away, the intricate ruins topping the tower remain, accessible by climbing more than 1,200 stairs.