Joanna James
With skyscrapers booming all over and the cutting-edge restaurants to entertain the tourists that stream into the city, Colombo is famous for its cultural allure tinged with modernity.
What better way is there to get a feel of a country's tradition, culture, heritage and the religious influence than visiting a museum? The National Museum of Colombo has stood as an institute of great knowledge since it was found back in 1876. The largest of the kind, the place is situated in a green park with towering trees dotting the site. With belongings of the former royal family as the main highlight, the museum pledges to educate the visitors on the ancient history of the country. The historical collection has in its possession guns, masks, swords, art and carvings. The establishment is located in Colombo 7, and you'll lose no time in finding a tuk-tuk to get you there.
Gangaramaya Temple is one of the oldest and most revered temples in Sri Lanka, especially because of the important religious artefact it shelters: the hair relics of Buddha. The temple complex bustles with devotees every day of the year, though, on poya days, the site is crammed to gunwales with people. In addition to its religious importance, what constitutes the allure of the temple is the local craftsmanship; the place is well furnished with masses of Buddha statues. The site is structured with more than one building; it boasts a library, a hall of gifts to display the tokens of reverence and a museum. Another distinct feature of interest is the stuffed elephant that astounds both tourists and locals. Getting to the temple is far easier than you think – you can hire a cab or a tuk-tuk from any of the hotels in Colombo.
After rambling all over the city, you'd welcome the sight of many restaurants housed in Old Dutch Hospital. Dating back to the colonial era in the early 1600s, the building has a number of restaurants of which the crowd-puller is the delectable local cuisine. In addition to restaurants, at Dutch Hospital, you can shop for souvenirs and quality garments. The place is located in Colombo 1 and is open to visitors from 10.00 to 22.00.
To be a witness to the soft, flaming sun and the beach awash with it, visit Galle Face Green at dusk. The promenade that outlines the beach is occupied by those who'd like a nice evening stroll and joggers attending to their daily workout plan. You'll also find many food stalls piled up with street food; the prices are reasonable, so you can have a jolly good time sampling as many dishes as you want.
Part of the Residence by Uga Escapes travel itinerary, Bawa in Colombo is a guided tour arranged mainly for tourists. Take a peek into the notable artwork of the talented architect starting from his residence; the tour will then guide you through many other notable buildings which casts a different light onto the Colombo city life. Appreciate the creative craftwork, textile and architecture, and you can call it quits by having a drink at the Gallery Café.
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