COLOMBO

To discover Colombo is to fall in love with one of the most genial and easily -explored cities in Asia.

Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, might not quite match up to the grandeur of Kuala Lumpur or the frenetic pace of Hong Kong, but it will be no time at all before you feel at home in a compact and easily-explored coastal city with a relaxed atmosphere all of its own.

For the tourist in colombo , the hub of the capital remains the Fort area where old colonial buildings remain among an increasingly vibrant Skyline.

You can experience our Hidden History City Walking Tour which samples many of the Fort’s most famous sites before finishing amid the hustle and bustle of pettah market where small traders congregate to sell their wares. If you prefer,we can even offer you a Colombo City Tour by Tuk Tuk.

The old Dutch Hospital is now a site for some of the swankiest restaurants and bars in town,although many still throng to old favorites- a sundowner perhaps at Galle Face Hotel or experiences a spot of lunch and some souvenir buying at barefoot further down the Galle Road.

Cricket tourists will find much pleasure in the timeless cricket grounds with atmosphere bars that stud the capital. Such as Colombo cricket club, or if golf is your favorite activity have a round at the historic Royal Colombo Golf Club.
While some roads can be slightly chaotic at times, Colombo is also blessed by tree-lined avenues and you can also get active in the magnificent viharamahadevi Park.

The National Museum, established by a British governor in the 19C, showcases the crown and throne of former kandyan monarchs as well as paintings and other art facts that tell the story of Sri Lanka. It also includes a fascinating, if much more run down , natural history section.

Pride of the bellanwila Raja naha Viharaya temple, on the way south to mount Lavinia,is a sacred Bo Tree , which according to ancient texts is one of the 32 saplings that sprang from the most sacred Bo Tree of all Anuradhapura.
This ancient Buddhist temple houses statues and frescoes depicting the life of the Buddha. The Gangaramaya (vihara) temple is also Worth a look.

Colombo’s three-mile long rampart, which separates the area covered by the Fort and pettah, was originally built in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese and was then further developed by the Dutch and the British, the colonial powers which later occupied Sri Lanka. Today, it is the commercial hub of the country, five-star Hotel and the country’s largest wholesale bazaar. Pettah market is a maze of by lanes and small shops, crowded with people either loudly advertising their wares or searching for the best purchases. Frantically buying and selling. Every imaginable item is sold here , and at a bargain- fruit,vegetables,fish, spices, fabrics, home ware and even gold jewelry.

In the Fort district,many of the old colonial buildings still stand,in glorious contracts to the rest of Colombo ‘s modern skyline. Interesting buildings to visit include: Galle Face Hotel ( once the mansion of a British Governor and one of the oldest hotels in Asia), presidential secretariat (previously the Parliament House),Grand oriental Hotel ( previously barracks for soldiers during Dutch period), the red and white cargills & Millers department store buildings, the General Post office and the Fort police Station ( previously a Dutch Hospital) . The st. Peter’s Church and the wovendaal church, located by the Grand oriental Hotel , were also built during the Dutch period.

If you are interested in discovering more about the history of Colombo Fort and admiring its beautiful colonial architecture, why not try the

Colombo’s Hidden History Walk?

Colombo’s Hidden History

Colombo’s is a bustling city, undoubtedly the most commercial in the island, and while the region itself is a reasonably large area, it has been divided into 15
Sections for the purposes of postal codes. Being a city that boasts a large harbor and an ideal position along trade routes, including the famous silk Route, the city of Colombo has been the site of many traders and merchants over the years.

It is the same roads that you would be led through as your host takes you past many a historical site and memory hidden within the hurried pace of life amongst the barely organized arrangement of stores. Spend a moment at the layman’s Gate, which used to be an entrance to the old Colombo Fort and also the site for public hangings. Wander along and witness the unmistakably changing face of this city , as old buildings are converted into newer projects, concealing precious history beneath. As your walk draws to an end this shift becomes much more apparent coming face to face with what used to be Sri Lanka’s first surgical ward during colonial times.

Explore Colombo’s fascinating multi-cultural society on this guided walking tour, led by a local host who grew up in Colombo and who has an extensive knowledge of the for four main religions which are practiced in Sri Lanka Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. The walk lasts approximately 2- 2.5 hours ( although this can be tailored to your individual preferences) and includes visits to a temple, a kovil , a church and mosque, as well as an experience of pettah, a huge , lively market located just outside of Colombo Fort which is home to a number of historic building buildings. Discover the complexities of Colombo’s modern-day culture whilst listening to intriguing stories about the city’s past, and get an insight into the rich modern-day society of Sri Lankan’ Capital.

The walk begins at the seema Malaka, a Buddhist temple which appears to float on the waters of Beira Lake, part of the majestic Gangaramaya , one of most prominent temple in Colombo. Originally built towards the end of 19th century before being redesigned and reconstructed by famous architect Geoffrey Bawa, it House several Buddha statues in a variety of styles from around the world and – seemingly strangely- four statues of Hindu gods. From this restful spot, take a short Tuk Tuk ride to a Hindu temple which is unique in its plain, stone exterior, completely distinct from the multi-colored statues which usually adorn the walls of a kovil. Explore the cool, dark interiors and discover why this kovil is so distinct in design to the others scattered across Colombo.

From here , walk through the bustling streets around the Fort towards a Catholic Church dedicated to Saint Anthony and see how this Portuguese building has grown and adapted over the last 500 years. The final religious building, a dramatic red- and – white- striped mosque, of this tour lies on the other side of pettah, a vibrant, sprawling bazaar juts outside Colombo Fort which sells almost anything you can think of. It is separated into streets dedicated to a particular type of product: walk down a road lined with jewellery stores, from tony stalls to History shops, all selling gold . Stop at an Indian restaurant along the way for a refreshing cup of chai tea and absorb the exciting, chaotic atmosphere of pettah, before heading to the spectacular hami UI- Alfar Mosque to end the walk.

Ceylon tea has long been renovated as some of the finest tea in the world, ever-since it was initially planted in the island’s hills by Scotsman James Taylor in the mid-19th century . If you do not have time to head to the hill country during your holiday, but are interested in learning about Sri Lanka’s tea industry, this Colombo- based tea factory is a great choice if you have a few hours to reach in the commercial capital.

This tea factory is old, but has been updated with more modern equipment in recent years.take a guided tour and discover how the leaves are processed and packaged, before doing a tea tasting session to explore the art of grading and find your favorite flavor. Your guide will end tour with a brief overview of how new technology has changed tea production in recent years, with details of how the world-wide demand for tea has affected not only the quantity but also the type of tea grown in Sri Lanka. The tour is led by a professional tea- taster who is highly knowledgeable about Sri Lankan tea and regularly visits the Colombo tea Auction. It lasts approximately 1.5 hours and can be done morning or evening.

We also offer a tea factory tour near Galle and in the hills. For those of you planing to visit Sri Lanka’s lush central region to explore the history of Ceylon tea, see our list of things to do in the hill country.

No holiday is complete without a chance to have an opinion on authentic local food. Despite being able to sample and savour local dishes during your time in Sri Lanka, we believe an experience to try out the street food of Sri Lanka will showcase a different dimension of this island paradise. Colombo has a rich history influence by various civilizations from around the world, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British, each of which brought with them their own culinary traditions which shaped traditional Sri Lankan cuisine. Colombo is pulsating with lifestyles and food that have merged into each other, allowing for diversity throughout the island.

The Colombo street Food walk , starting at sundown with a shot of local alcohol, is geared for those prepared to take their taste buds on an adventure. Your host will lead you through a maze of streets busy with workers and small clusters of people whiling away the evening after a tough day . Let your senses explore the sights and sounds of the food- the vibrant colors of the concoction that creates a sweet Beeda (a curious digestive aid originating in india) , the bubbling of the fiery red curries and the sweet earthy fragrance of hot porridge. End the evening with a meal by the sea, a traditionally popular haunt for much of the Colombo crowd. Be it families or friends. Your evening with the host will last about two hours and we do recommend dressing conservatively as the walk takes you through areas steeped in culture.

Kelaniya Raja Mah

Situated six miles from Colombo, the ancient kelani Raja Maha Viharaya has stood beside the Kelani River for over 2,500 years. According to the Mahavansa, a chronicle of Sri Lankan’s History That date back to 543 BC, Lord Buddha stopped at this temple during a visit to Sri Lanka in 523 BC, where he was invited to preach by the king. The Mahawansa records that the original dagoba at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. This temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and beautiful paintings, which depict notable events in the life of the Buddha and the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka . Each year, on the full moon day of January, a cultural procession known as the Duruthu perahera is held at the temple, which displays ancient traditions and and highlights the historic culinary significance of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

Kovils in Colombo

The city of Colombo has several Hindu kovils, all decorated with colorful, ornate statues and shrines dedicated to different gods and deities. A visit to a kovil, especially during the time of a Pooja- a ritual offering devotion to the gods – is a mesmerising experience involving the sound of clanging bells and prayers being chanted and the intoxicating smells of oil lamps and incense. The new and old kathiresan kovils, dedicated to God skanda ( the god of war victory) , are located in pettah. The oldest kovil in Colombo is the Sri kailawasanthan swami Devasthanam.

National Museum

The National Museum of Colombo, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, is the largest Museum in Sri Lanka and houses many collections of cultural and historical significance, including the crown and throne of the Kandyan monarchs – the last kings of Sri Lanka- and artifacts and narratives which outline the island’s fascinating ancient history and the central role that Buddhism came to play in Sri Lankan culture.

First established in 1977 by Sri William Henry Gregory , the British Governor of Ceylon at that time, the museum was designed in a spectacular italianate Architectural style and sits majestically on a quiet city -center street. Those interested in exploring Sri Lanka’s enthralling History- particularly if you are not visiting the cultural Triangle- should spend half a day here and explore the wide range of intriguing objects that are on display.

We offer a wide range of engaging experiences for those interested in discovering more about the culture and History in Sri Lanka, including several in Colombo, such as our Colombo’s colonial History, walking tour, and a tea tasting session with an expert who will take you through the history of Ceylon tea.

A tranquil oasis in the heart of Colombo, the Royal Colombo Golf Club offers a welcome escape from the busy streets of Sri Lanka’s capital and has a course which is ideal for golfers of mixed abilities. Built in 1879, it was the second club in the world to receive the royal charter – and it is certainly worthy of this accolade. The course is tight and challenging, 5,770 meters of fairways which reward both strategic defensive golf and long hitting. Whilst the fairways are wide and inviting, unless you are accurate off tee huge trees and other obstacles will hinder your second shot. If the towering trees are not enough of a hazard, the course also has 13 well- placed water traps to avoid- from the very first hole , where a lake protects the Green, water comes into play . These hazards are also home to a number of local giant monitor lizards, so beware!.

Each hole on this course presents a different challenge, and the course is deceptively difficult. One of the more testing holes on this course is the par 3, 13th, which requires a daunting shot over the water to a bunker-protected Green on the other side. While Royal Colombo does not match Victoria Golf course or the Golf course in Nuwara Eliya for scenery, the course does offer a unique golfing experience-the Kelani valley railway runs along the 6th fairways, and crowded trains occasionally clatter through the course and is a lush oasis of tranquility in the city centre.

The clubhouse stands in testament to a bygone era: its architecture and old-fashioned interiors are reminiscent of the British colonial period. The teak -panelled Governor’s Bar has a cool veranda, a delightful place to enjoy a drink and discuss the round, as well as a good selection of wines and a wide-ranging menu .There is also well- stocks pro shop which has a selection of clubs and bags for hire.

• Notes:

• The course is ‘ soft spike’ only.Appropriate footwear is available from the golf shop near to the
Entrance of the club and the for shop.

• The usual Golf dress code must be adhered to at a
Club as prestigious as this, both on the course
And in the clubhouse.

• The course stays consistent throughout the year, although it can occasionally get Bobby in places after the heavy rain of the monsoon season
( June/ July and October/ November).

• Royal Colombo is a busy course and a number of
large- scale competitions are held here.

Like many capital cities, Colombo is a melting- pot of cultures . As well as the traditions that live on from Sri Lankan’s fascinating ancient history, European influences are wide- spread across the country, which were infused into Sri Lankan culture from the early 16th century when the Portuguese settled on the island. Sri Lanka was colonized by the Portuguese (1505), the Dutch (1640) and the British (1815) respectively, and each nationality left behind a legacy which permanently altered Sri Lankan culture.

Nowhere in the city is the culture diversity more apparent than slave island, which is the focus of this walking tour. Slave island, named by the somewhat unimaginative British, was once the port where the Dutch and Portuguese brought African slaves as a multicultural hotspot and is home to people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, including Moors, Malays and Burgheres, reflecting the many different nationalities that have made Sri Lanka their home over the years. The varied religious beliefs, languages, food and clothing of everyone in this community mingle together to create a culture that is now wholeheartedly Sri Lankan.

As you walk through the jumped streets, your engaging host will uncover the history of slave island and. describe how it became the diverse area it is today, pointing out the tell- tale pieces of historical architecture and religious buildings which reflect Sri Lanka’s modern – day confusion of cultures. Within five minutes you will pass an English railway station, houses with Persian and Dutch architecture, an iconic mosque and a Hindu temple, located on a road named after Kew Gardens in London: it is a landscape which cannot help but impress upon you the impact each separate culture had on shaping present- day Sri Lanka.

The Full tour takes you from the historic Galle Face Hotel, one of the first hotels to be built in Asia , to Beira Lake , and lasts approximately two hours. En route you will visit a tea stall, where you can pause in the shade and sample several types of Sri Lanka tea . There is an option extension to visit Gangaramaya Temple at the end if you should wish to, one of Colombo’s most famous attractions.

Located just a few kilometers from Colombo’s city center, the Talangama Wetlands are an oasis of peace within a sprawling urban jungle and are one of the last remaining Wetlands in Sri Lankan’s capital, the others having been built upon. This marshland is extraordinarily diverse and attracts a lot of wildlife, including 100 species of bird , numerous types of butterfly and dragonfly and some small mammals which are more commonly spotted in the early morning or late evening. Talangama is a fantastic choice if you are a keen birder , beginning your Sri Lanka birding holiday or seeking a tranquil spot in the heart of the island’s capital city.

Birds

The birding highlights include many species of water birds, such as the resident purple swamphen , common moorhen, pheasant-tailed jacana, little grebe, little cormorant , cattle, egrets, oriental darter, purple heron, grey heron, red- wattled lapwing, Indian pond heron, black- crowned night-heron, little heron, back bitten and yellow bitten. Also Asian open- bill, the occasional painted stork , plenty of black- headed ibis and during the migrant season, the elusive glossy ibis has also been seen here . Lesser whistling teal, cotton pigmy- goose and a few varieties of raptors have also been recorded. This Wetland is also home to four species of kingfisher: pied, common, white- throated and the largest in Sri Lanka- the stork – bilked kingfisher.

Whilst there are many birds to be seen all year round at Talangama, it is particularly rewarding for birdwatching between November and April, when the migrant waders and other migrant birds stop over here on their journey to the south coast. These species include: common sandpiper , Kentish, lesser- sand and golden plover, Mach sandpiper, common redshank and common greenshank , wood and curlew sandpiper, black- wing stilt and little stint.

Many species of forest birds also can be seen at Talangama, including green imperial pigeon, emerald and spotted dove, greater coucal , rose- ringed parakeet, Asian koel, Indian scops owl , brown hawk- owl, little green bee-eater, Ceylon small barber, Indian pigmy wood pecker, lesser yellownape, black-rumped flamback . There are also migrant species including the Indian pitta, barn swalloe and forest and yellow wagtails.

Dragonflies and Butterflies

Talangama is one the best places to photograph butterflies and dragonflies in Sri Lanka as you can get vary close to them. There are a wide range of species in a variety of beautiful colours . The best time to spot them is in the afternoon.

Mammals

The endangered and endemic purple- faced leaf monkey is found here , in good numbers as it is one of the last remaining patches of their habitat in Colombo. Other mammals found here include the Indian porcupine, brown mongoose, citvit cat and fishing cat.

One of Asia’s most prominent 20th century architects, Geoffrey Bawa is one of Sri Lankan’s most iconic and beloved figures, internationally renowned for his stunning designs and his development of the architecture concept tropical modernism – a concept which earned him the title of ‘ the father of Asian architecture. Whilst Bawa’s legacy can be explored throughout the island- many of his structures are now Hotels, such as Heritance kandalama , and travelers can explore his beautiful country home and gardens ( Lunuganga) – he spent much of his life living and working in Colombo. This guided tour takes you from his place of residence to his studio, giving you a detailed insight into Bawa’s City life. Your host will also touch upon the work of other leading figures in arts at this time, including the founder of Barefoot , Sri Lankan’s first female architect and batik – specialist Ena de Silva.

Begin the walk at Number 11, Bawa’s townhouse, where your host will share absorbing stories about his time spent here . You will then journey to the spectacular Gallery cafe, which was originally designed and built by Bawa as his studio. It’s sleek, dark interiors and open- air central courtyard set it apart as one of the most alluring buildings in Colombo and you can be assured that the food and atmosphere is wonderful If you are contemplating grabbing dinner there. After a drink and a look through some of his original design, head to your final stop , the seema malaka Temple, redesigning and restored by Bawa in the 1970s which appears to float unsupported on Beira Lake. You can choose to end head on to Barefoot to see an exhibition, have a spot of lunch or do some shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

Sri Lankan’ Coastal capital is conveniently compact, but navigating the lively, cross- crossed streets can be tricky , and walking can quickly become tiring in the heat and humidity.
The easiest way to get a sense of Colombo’s character is Tour the city by Tuk , Tuk, the most popular form of local transport. The traffic in Colombo can often by frustrating, but these three- wheeled, taxis, named by the locals as Tuk Tuks after the sound of their spluttering engines and gentle honking horns, can manouevre easily through the busy streets and their open sides provide a welcome breeze on a hot day.

Hosted by a trained, English- speaking driver, the Tuk Tuk Tour includes visits to some of Colombo’s most fascinating cultural sites, as well as a selection of ‘non-touristy’ recommendations which reveal a more authentic side of Sri Lankan’s capital. If you have any particular places you would like to visit, just inform your Tuk Tuk driver and he will be happy to adjust the itinerary accordingly- this experience is entirely flexible. Whizz around the streets and see the some of the city center’s most beautiful spots, such as independence square and viharemahadevi Park, and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of this captivating capital city.

Located close to Mt. Lavinia, just three kilometers from Colombo’s City limits,
Bellanwil Raja maha viharaya is one of the oldest temples in Sri Lanka’s capital, and it has a long and hallowed history. There is a great sanctity attached to this temple due to its sacred Bo Tree that according to ancient texts, is one of the thirty-two saplings that sprang from the Bo tree at Anuradhapura which was planted in the 3rd century B.C the Bo tree at Anuradhapura is said have come from the Tree under which Lord Buddha sat and attained enlightenment, which is why these Bo trees have such significance. As well as the sacred tree, Bellanwilla houses elaborate statues of Buddha and frescoes depicting the life of Buddha from birth to enlightenment.