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General
Travel
Sightseeing
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Printable Guide
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City Guide > Indian Subcontinent > Sri Lanka > Colombo | |
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Key Attractions The Colombo National Museum Established in 1877, this is Colombo’s oldest museum, and has a vast collection of antiques and objects from all over the island. Wherever you are traveling to on the island, this will be a good place to get an idea of the local cultural heritage. Adjacent to the National Museum is the Natural History Museum which has a number of representations of the flora and fauna of Sri Lanka. Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: (011) 2694 366. Cinnamon Gardens The most exclusive area of Colombo, this is a district of large houses set on shady streets, lined with jacaranda and frangipani. Home to many of the city’s most exclusive and trendy bars, shops and restaurants. A stroll round Cinnamon Gardens is a pleasant way to spend a few hours in the city. In the middle of Cinnamon Gardens is Viharamahdevi Park, the city's largest open space. Colombo 7 Gangaramaya Temple Located on the waters of Beira Lake, adjacent to the so-called Slave Island, this Buddhist Temple dates back over 2,000 years. It is reached by crossing a wooden bridge. There is a holy bo tree under which the Lord Buddha is reputed to have preached. There are many historic Buddha images and frescoes. 61 Sri Jinarathana Road Dehiwala Zoological Gardens Colombo zoo has a wide range of flora and fauna from all over the world, as well as a large collection of animals, birds, reptiles and fish from all over Sri Lanka. It includes a walk through aviary, and aquarium and a butterfly park. There are also elephant shows – a reminder of the place of the animal in Sri Lankan society. Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Dehiwala Tel: (011) 2729 790. Pettah Pettah is the main Bazaar district of the city. Situated next to the refined Fort district, it is an area of narrow cobbled streets and stalls and shops that spill out onto the streets in a riot of colour, smells and noise. Particularly good for local produce, including gold, spices, music as well as ayurvedic medicines. There is also a sprawling and colourful vegetable and fish market. |