8th Wonder of the World

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This Asian Destination Was Named the Most Welcoming in the World — and It’s Called the ‘8th Wonder of the World’ by Locals

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, came in at No. 1.
By Taryn White

Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka
Photo: Joel Carillet/Getty Images

Travelers visiting Sri Lanka enjoy the view of the famous Sigiriya rock fortress after hiking to the top of Pidurangala Rock.Booking.com recently released its 13th annual Traveler Review Awards, unveiling the “Most Welcoming Places” worldwide to visit in 2025. Ratings for the list were derived from each destination’s volume of Traveler Review Awards, based on a three-year average of more than 360 million verified customer reviews on the company’s website and app.

Topping the list as this year’s most welcoming destination is Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s “Cultural Triangle,” Sigiriya, a quaint village of 1,000 residents, is most accessible to international travelers via a scenic three-hour drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, the capital of the island nation.

The town is renowned for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a formidable landmark rising 1,200 feet above the landscape. This ancient fortress, which served as a royal capital in the late 5th century, houses the ruins of a once-elaborate palace at its summit, which you can climb 1,300 stairs to reach.

Ancient Forest Monastery in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

PHOTO: Gita Kelpsiene/Getty Images

The Pidurangala Ancient Forest Monastery in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.Visitors can learn about the region’s history at the Sigiriya Museum, explore the Sigiriya Craft Village for its handcrafted batiks and handloom textiles, and observe wildlife at Minneriya National Park. The park is famous for “The Gathering” — the world’s largest congregation of Asian elephants, which occurs annually from July to October. Another remarkable sight is the Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka’s largest and best-preserved cave temple, which has continuously functioned as a temple for more than 2,000 years.
For upscale accommodations in Sigiriya, andBeyond operates the luxurious Jetwing Vil Uyana, an enclave of 36 rooms spread across five habitats, ranging from forest to paddy fields. The six-room eco-luxury Roo Mansala is another option, providing incredible views of Sigiriya Rock and neighboring Pidurangala Rock.
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