Visit Colombo - Sri Lanka's 'Ocean City'

[Mariya Marth]

Sri Lanka's political and business capital, on the island country's west coast, is blessed with a rich colonial heritage is a fine blend of races, religions and cultures, as well as colonial and contemporary architecture. Its streets are packed with three-wheel motorised vehicles called tuks-tuks, which can be convenient to get around (just be sure to choose metered tuk-tuks instead of trying to negotiate rates with drivers).   Alternatively, you can look for a tourist-friendly fleet that’s operated by the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority, or avail yourself of regular taxis, public buses, and trains. 
 
Why Visit Colombo?
 
Many tourists compare and book cheapest flight tickets to Colombo to visit its plenty of historic sacred sites against modern high-rise buildings. History and modernism co-exist in Sri Lanka’s capital city on the ocean shore.
 
Visiting for the first time? Then you may be overwhelmed by a great number of people, traffic and activities packed on the streets of Colombo. But as time passes by, you would be charmed by the offerings made by the ocean city. There’s a lot you can see, but several visitors prefer to give a kick start to their tour with the striking temples found throughout the Sri Lankan capital.
 
Of all the temples, the multi-coloured Gangaramaya Temple is a favourite among tourists for its amazing Buddhist statues as well as museum.

 
Interested in Colombo’s history? Visit the National Museum of Colombo, the Dutch Period Museum and the Natural History Museum. For a contemporary feel, don’t miss a visit to the National Art Gallery.
 
Colombo is certainly a metropolitan city, but there are many opportunities to escape the urban flavour in favour of a more natural retreat (in fact,.one of Colombo's nicknames is “the garden city in the east”). Viharamahadevi Park adds to the great natural appeal while taking a leisurely walk through  abundance of green space. Once recharged, head to Galle Face Green, a promenade facing the ocean, to grab some of the most beautiful sunset views.

 
Shopping, Dining and Nightlife
 
As the capital city of Sri Lanka, an exciting nightlife has developed within the city of Colombo. Dining, dancing and casinos provide great entertainment to visitors. The Fort and Cinnamons Gardens areas provide amazing entertainment after the sun goes down.
 

Looking for a night out clubbing? Dress appropriately and arrive around midnight, when it’s time to grab some fun. There are a number of restaurants that serve the visitors with a mix of international as well as authentic local cuisine. Don’t miss the curries, and the Siam House Thai Restaurant is a must visit.