Solo Explorer: Colombo City

Lotus Tower Colombo

Colombo City

Colombo is the commercial capital & the busiest city of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city. It is the financial center of the island and a tourist destination too. It is located in the middle of the western coast of the Island. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is within the urban area and a suburb of Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of the Western Province of Sri Lanka and the district capital of Colombo District. It is a busy and vibrant place with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins. Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to be ancient traders 2,000 years ago. It became the capital of the island during the period of British Ceylon (1815-1948).

Climate

Colombo features a tropical monsoon climate, falling just short of a tropical rainforest climate. Colombo's climate is hot throughout the year. From March to April the average high temperature is around 31°C (87.8°F). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from April to June and September to November, when heavy rains occur. Colombo sees a little relative diurnal range of temperature, although this is more marked in the drier winter months, where the minimum temperature is average 22°C (71.6°F). Rainfall in the city averages around 2,500 millimetres a year.

Famous Tourist places in Colombo

· Colombo Galle Face Green

· Viharamahadevi Park

· Gangarama Temple

· Kalaniya Temple

· Independence Square

· Beira Lake

· Mount Lavinia Beach

· Dehiwala Zoological Garden

· Red Mosque

· Colombo Lotus Tower

· Colombo National Museum

· Colombo Port Maritime Museum

· Old Galle Buck Lighthouse

· Royal Colombo Golf Club

Annual cultural events and fairs

The ‘Sinhalese and Hindu Aluth Awurudda’ is a cultural event that takes place on 13 and 14 April. This is the celebration of the Sinhalese and Hindu new year. The festivities include many events and traditions that display a great deal of Sri Lankan culture.

Colombo's most popular festival is the celebration Vesak (May) During this festival, most of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights, and special displays of light (known as Thorana). Many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week, people distribute, rice, drinks, and other food items for free in Dansal which means charity place. These Dansal are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs.

Christmas is another major festival and is among one of the island's biggest festivals. Most streets and commercial buildings light up from the beginning of December and festive sales begin at all shopping centres and department stores. Caroling and nativity plays are frequent sights during the season.

Museums and art collections

The National Museum of Colombo established on 1 January 1877 during the tenure of the British Colonial Governor "Sir Willam Henry Gregory" (1872-1877), is in the Cinnamon Gardens area. The museum houses the crown jewels and the throne of the last king of the kingdom of Kandy, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. There is also the Colombo Dutch Museum detailing the Dutch colonial history of the country. Colombo does not boast a very big art gallery. There is a small collection of random Sri Lankan paintings at the Art Gallery in Green Path and next to it is the Natural History Museum.

Activities you can do in Colombo

Ø Tuk Tuk ride - An incredibly exciting, thrilling way to explore Colombo city, prepare yourself for non-stop darting other vehicles. This is an incredibly fun way to explore the Colombo City and it would be a marvelous experience in your life.

Ø Tea tasting - You may have a chance to taste an extensive variety of Ceylon tea products. If you are a Tea lover, don't miss your chance.

Ø Street Foods - Tempt your taste buds with Colombo's most popular and delicious junk food Kottu Roti. And you can try the many varieties of Sri Lankan junk foods, especially in the Galle face green area.

Ø Colombo shopping - Colombo is an amazing place to do shopping. There are many shopping complexes located in Colombo. Moreover, each and every shopping malls are filled with designer clothing, handbags and shoes, handicraft item, and many more shopping items.