The pulsating metropolis of Colombo is an enthralling concoction of innovation, street-culture, fashion, urbane art and antiquity, that savours its rich history whilst simultaneously evolving in pace with the contemporary world. Colombo encompasses an extensive area that houses a wide array of captivating attractions and activities.
From phenomenal styles of architecture to the city’s swarming streets, skirted by a number of high-rise skyscrapers that range from hotels, banks, office and apartment complexes which pierce the city’s spectacular skyline, especially the Colombo Lotus Tower which is anticipated to be the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia. The refurbished Old Dutch Hospital, Colombo Racecourse and the famous Galle Face Hotel are examples of aesthetic colonial edifices from a bygone era that can be found scattered across Colombo. The city also includes many prominent landmarks such as Galle Face Green, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo National Museum, Independence Square and more.
A city that has also developed into a celebrated fashion destination in the island, its fashion industry is increasingly growing, with contemporary and local brands which include Spa Ceylon, Odel, Paradise Road, Barefoot, Colombo City Centre, Laksala, PR, amante, Buddhi Batiks, Crescat Boulevard and more.
Dotted with many religious sites, Colombo reflects the island’s multi-ethnic heritage. Divine Buddhist temples such as the renowned Gangaramaya Temple with its intricate and eclectic blend in architecture, and the charming Sambodhi Chaithya situated in the Colombo Harbour. Numerous Hindu temples, such as the stunning Kathiresan Kovil, can also be found across Colombo, with its structures exquisitely embellished with many-hued statuettes of Hindu deities. The mesmeric red-white patterned Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque) with its rising turrets and the magnificent St. Lucia’s Cathedral built during the colonial era are two popular examples of the many Muslim and Christian places of worship located in Colombo.
The streets and markets here are lively; brimming with a colorful assortment of fruits, vegetables, vivid fabrics, sweet-smelling spices, aromatic scrumptious street-food and more. Among these, the vibrant streets of Pettah are the most popular, with ceaseless shops, bargainers and travellers along its bustling boulevards. Colombo’s streets are certain to awaken the explorer in you, compelling you to seek its secrets and wander its intriguing paths.
