This is the oldest museum in Sri Lanka. The grand two-story white building houses artifacts from various historical periods of Sri Lanka. Inside the museum, there is a 'Zheng He Stele' built by the Chinese Ming Dynasty's Admiral Zheng He during his voyages to the West, discovered in 1912. The top of the stele is carved with a relief of two dragons playing with a pearl, and the inscriptions are in three languages: Chinese, Arabic, and Tamil, mainly recording the purpose of Zheng He's visit to Sri Lanka.
Galle Face Green
Galle Face Green is a scenic seaside promenade located in the heart of Colombo's financial and commercial district. Stretching half a kilometer along the coast of the Indian Ocean, it is a great place to watch the sunset.
Gangaramaya Temple
Gangaramaya Temple, located across the road from Gangaramaya Lake and Park, is a complex of intricately carved buildings that blend architectural features from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and China. It houses a library, museum, dormitory, and a three-story Buddhist academy, with a Bodhi tree in the courtyard. The museum treasures several tall Buddha statues and large ivory tusks, as well as relics of Arhats, jewelry, pure gold ritual objects, and ivory artifacts. It also contains Buddha statues from Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, and other places. The exquisite carvings of the Buddha statues are awe-inspiring.
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, is situated south of the capital Colombo. It is a port city in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka, known for its unparalleled beaches, seawater, and sunsets, which are captivating. The beach is also a traditional tourist resort in Colombo.
Red Mosque
This is a mosque near the Pettah Market in Colombo, a red and white brick building. The mosque is located right next to the bustling Pettah Market, making it one of the most memorable temples in Sri Lanka.
The City Hall, known as the 'White House of Colombo', was built by the British and is a neoclassical style building. The Viharamahadevi Park opposite is also part of the City Hall and is the largest park in Colombo city, where couples can be seen cuddling on the green lawns. However, the City Hall is not open to tourists and can only be viewed from the outside. The Colombo National Museum and the Gangaramaya Temple are also nearby and can be visited together.
Viharamahadevi Park is the largest park in Colombo, formerly known as Victoria Park, built by the British. After Sri Lanka's independence, it was renamed Viharamahadevi Park in honor of the mother of King Dutugemunu, a hero who liberated the country. To the east of the park is the Colombo Town Hall, to the south is the Art Gallery, and not far to the north is the famous Gangaramaya Temple. Today, Viharamahadevi Park is a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy their holidays.
Independence Square
Independence Square is the site where the independence ceremony of Sri Lanka was held on February 4, 1948. The Independence Memorial Hall in the center of the square is modeled after the hall where the royal family of the Kandy dynasty received pilgrims. The beams and pillars of the memorial hall are carved with elephants, lions, and patterns depicting the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, surrounded by 60 stone-carved lions, reflecting the style of Kandy culture.
