With its sandy beaches, sparkling gems and Buddhist temples, the Island nation has the potential to become a major tourist hotspot
The first thing that strikes you as your flight hovers above Bandaranaike International Airport outside Colombo is the deep blue ocean. You cannot help but be mesmerised. You ask yourself, if this is an ocean what was that you saw at Chennai and Mumbai—muddy urban drains? Sri Lanka has that effect on you.
The island nation, justifiably called “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, has many surprises for the tourists. From white sand beaches to Portuguese architecture, from lush green tea plantation districts to the ancient city of Anuradhapuram, the island has much to offer in jaw-dropping abundance.
Start your voyage from Colombo itself. You’ll seldom come across a city like this. There is a lot to do in the city for all age-groups. People who are interested in history can take a tour of the National Museum of Colombo and the Dutch Period Museum. While the former gives you a vivid sense of Sri Lanka's rich history, the latter offers a glimpse of the Dutch rule on the island. The artifacts displayed here are among the rarest of the rare and are bound to draw attention. The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre at Guilford Crescent is the centre for culture vultures. The place is always brimming with activity. A quite evening amid the spectacle of Sri Lankan culture is a dead must.
Galle Face Green Promenade on the North-Western extent of the city is Colombo’s equivalent to Bandstand. Only, the former is million times cleaner and serener. You’ll find hundreds of families taking their evening stroll amidst the calls of ice cream and other fast food vendors. A nice place to strike a conversation with locals. Solitude seekers can alternatively stretch out on chairs and just see the Indian Ocean in all its splendour. However, a visit to Mount Lavinia, on the outskirts of the city, is a truly out of this world experience. This beach offers you all sorts of water sports as well as some of the best Ayurvedic massages that you would have ever come across.
The more religious minded can visit any of the numerous Buddhist temples in the capital city. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in the heart of the city is a famous attraction for travellers—both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. The temple boasts an exceptional carving of a reclining Buddha and is the site for an annual fair.
The area around Fort is famous for swanky malls and marketplaces. The gem and stone shops in the World Trade Tower offer some of the most exciting gems collected from deep inside the India Ocean, and that too at tempting prices. Pettah is the old commercial district where one can buy a range of things from thousands of shops.
The first thing that strikes you as your flight hovers above Bandaranaike International Airport outside Colombo is the deep blue ocean. You cannot help but be mesmerised. You ask yourself, if this is an ocean what was that you saw at Chennai and Mumbai—muddy urban drains? Sri Lanka has that effect on you.
The island nation, justifiably called “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, has many surprises for the tourists. From white sand beaches to Portuguese architecture, from lush green tea plantation districts to the ancient city of Anuradhapuram, the island has much to offer in jaw-dropping abundance.
Start your voyage from Colombo itself. You’ll seldom come across a city like this. There is a lot to do in the city for all age-groups. People who are interested in history can take a tour of the National Museum of Colombo and the Dutch Period Museum. While the former gives you a vivid sense of Sri Lanka's rich history, the latter offers a glimpse of the Dutch rule on the island. The artifacts displayed here are among the rarest of the rare and are bound to draw attention. The Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre at Guilford Crescent is the centre for culture vultures. The place is always brimming with activity. A quite evening amid the spectacle of Sri Lankan culture is a dead must.
Galle Face Green Promenade on the North-Western extent of the city is Colombo’s equivalent to Bandstand. Only, the former is million times cleaner and serener. You’ll find hundreds of families taking their evening stroll amidst the calls of ice cream and other fast food vendors. A nice place to strike a conversation with locals. Solitude seekers can alternatively stretch out on chairs and just see the Indian Ocean in all its splendour. However, a visit to Mount Lavinia, on the outskirts of the city, is a truly out of this world experience. This beach offers you all sorts of water sports as well as some of the best Ayurvedic massages that you would have ever come across.
The more religious minded can visit any of the numerous Buddhist temples in the capital city. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in the heart of the city is a famous attraction for travellers—both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. The temple boasts an exceptional carving of a reclining Buddha and is the site for an annual fair.
The area around Fort is famous for swanky malls and marketplaces. The gem and stone shops in the World Trade Tower offer some of the most exciting gems collected from deep inside the India Ocean, and that too at tempting prices. Pettah is the old commercial district where one can buy a range of things from thousands of shops.
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