Colombo

1. Gangaramaya Temple

The Gangaramaya Temple, located in the heart of Colombo, is one of the most recognized and revered Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. It is renowned for its architectural splendor, religious significance, and cultural significance, attracting devotees and visitors alike. The temple was established in the late 19th century by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera and has since grown into a complex that embraces traditional Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architectural styles.

The temple is not only a religious complex but is a learning and conservation complex as well. The inner sanctum is formed by a humongous Buddha statue and there is a library, a museum, and relic chamber in the complex. The collection in form of ancient scripts, statue, and gifts presented by devotees worldwide is accommodated in the museum. The serene Bodhi tree in the temple, being a reminder of enlightenment, makes it religious in nature.

Gangaramaya is equally renowned for annual Navam Perahera, a flamboyant procession wherein drumming, traditionally attired dancers, and elaborately decorated elephants are moving down a street in Colombo. It is enough proof of how much Gangaramaya Temple is concerned about conserving rich culture in Sri Lanka. Tourists at Gangaramaya Temple can experience serene landscape, catch a sneak preview at complex layout, and hear Buddha discourses. Pilgrimage in this religious complex provides a sneak preview at religious and cultural lives in Sri Lanka.

2. Colombo National Museum

The Colombo National Museum, commissioned in 1877 and largest and oldest in the island, is but one adventure for a wealth experience in island history and culture and navigating history. The centrally situated museum, commissioned in stately colonial-style buildings and flanked on each side by gardens, is in Museum Road in Cinnamon Gardens.

The museum's collection is extensive and encompasses time period for over 2,500 years and royal dynasties, colonial period, and ancient cultures artifacts. Some are Last Kingdom King throne and coronation headpiece, ancient scripts, jewelry, ritual mask, and archeological artifacts in extensive collections. Nature history exhibitions and rare specimens in plant and animal kingdom in Sri Lanka are being annexed to the museum.

One of them is bronze statue of Bodhisattva Tara in the 9th century, miracle sculpture in ancient days in Sri Lanka. The library in the museum is history-laden and old and rare volumes and books, priceless references for research works and historians.

A visit to National Museum in Colombo is a history and culture experience in Sri Lanka. It is a must for history enthusiasts, for visitors and curious minds interested in learning island nation rich history. The serene and peaceful surrounding and nicely composed collections in this museum are a norm in culture in Colombo.

3. Galle Face 

Galle Face, sea-fronting promenade in Colombo, is equally nature and culture and energy tourist location. It is a total length of 500 meters in length alongside the Indian Ocean and is perhaps best known as being one of the key features in the metropolis. It had once been created in the 17th century as a structure for occupation for the Dutch, afterward reformed as leisure space for entertainment and leisure for the British, and is today a foreigners and natives meeting hotbed.

By day, there is quiet retreat at Galle Face in which to take a leisurely stroll, play at being in the air at flying a kite, or sit out on grassy plain and drink in fantastic sea views. By sunset, however, there is bustle and street-food stalls selling island favorites such as isso wade (shrimp fritters), roti kottu, and tropical fruits chopped and sliced before your eyes. The sea breeze and crashing sea noise are a nice accompaniment to a leisurely and enjoyable sunset.

Galle Face is just as good for enjoying some culture in Colombo as family and friends and lovers come to revel in open space. To just chill out, eat some street food, or catch some heavenly sunset moments, Galle Face is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience capturing some essence in Colombo.

4. Pettah Market

The bustling heart of Colombo is Pettah Market, a wholesale market jammed tightly. The busy bazaar is a network-like system of alleys, each offering spices, textiles, electronics, jewelry, chemicals, perfumes, and much more. The alleys are lined with cacophony of haggling yells and honking motorcar and tuk-tuk horns.

For locals, it is a daily shop for groceries and for things used in weddings. It is for tourists a place where tradition and modernity come together. It is there where brightly coloured sari and pungent spices and exotic presents and hi-tech gadgets and smart fashions are on offer.

But Pettah is about much much more than just a market – it is an experience. The avenues are lined with old buildings, old moslem mosques and colonial history and reminisce yester-years. Pettah Market gives you a real taste of vibrant and bustling Colombo life. Taste it for yourself when you are here.

5. Independence Memorial Hall