Sri Lanka is known as the "Teardrop of the Indian Ocean".
🚅 Due to work reasons, we needed to assist with engineering projects in Sri Lanka. We arrived in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.✈️ We were met at the airport by a local colleague. I had also done some research online. A well-known travel magazine named it the world's top travel destination and one of the five most charming travel destinations in the world. It has also been named a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. Sri Lanka has abundant tourism resources, from mountain tea gardens to charming beaches, from historical sites to wildlife. Here is a detailed guide I have compiled. If it is helpful to you, remember to like and collect it!
Colombo Travel Guide
- Attractions and prices:
- Independence Square: It is the site of Sri Lanka's independence ceremony on February 4, 1948, and is also a major tourist attraction. The pillars of the memorial hall are engraved with elephants, lions, and patterns depicting Sri Lanka's Buddhist history. There are 60 stone lion statues symbolizing the Sinhalese people around it. Free admission.
- Viharamahadevi Park: Colombo's largest park, built by the British, was renamed after Sri Lanka's independence to commemorate the mother of King Dutugemunu. To the east is Colombo City Hall, to the south is the Art Gallery, and to the north is Gangarama Temple. Opening hours 06:00 - 18:00, free admission.
- Colombo Lotus Tower: Located in the World Trade Center area, it offers panoramic views of Colombo. A meal at the Lotus Tower revolving restaurant costs about US$30 per person.
- Dewala Butterfly Park: Home to 36 different types of butterflies, it displays over 250 butterfly specimens for visitors to admire.
- Food and prices:
- Five-star hotel buffet:
- ayu (Mövenpick Colombo): Lunch 2930 rupees, dinner 3600 rupees.
- table one (Shangri-La Colombo): Lunch 3200 rupees, dinner 4100 rupees (excluding drinks).
- taprobane | Cinnamon Grand: Lunch 2931 rupees, dinner 3257 rupees.
- governor's restaurant | Mt. Lavinia Hotel: Lunch weekdays 1900 rupees, Saturday 2100 rupees, Sunday 3200 rupees, dinner 3100 rupees.
- harbour court (Kingsbury): Lunch 3100 rupees, dinner 3200 rupees.
- latitude | Taj Samudra: Lunch 2650 rupees, dinner 3200 rupees.
- Local specialties:
- Hopper: A bowl-shaped crispy, often served as breakfast, made with eggs, priced at around 50-200 rupees in street stalls.
- Kottu: A dish made by chopping up roti and stir-frying it with vegetables, meat, etc., priced at around 200-500 rupees per serving.
- Travel itinerary:
- Day 1: Visit Independence Square in the morning and admire the memorial hall and stone lions; visit Viharamahadevi Park in the afternoon and experience the local leisure atmosphere; enjoy local cuisine in the city in the evening.
- Day 2: Visit Colombo Lotus Tower, climb to the top for panoramic views of the city, and then visit Dewala Butterfly Park to see butterflies and specimens.
- Precautions:
- Tuk-tuk cars are the main mode of transportation. Be sure to negotiate a price before getting in to avoid being overcharged.
- Sri Lanka has a hot climate, so be sure to take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, mosquito repellent, etc.
- Respect local religious culture and customs. Dress appropriately when entering religious sites such as temples and take off your shoes before entering.
- In terms of food, if you are not used to local food, you can bring some convenient food. There are many local cold drinks and raw food, so pay attention to food hygiene to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Pay attention to price and quality when purchasing items, and avoid buying overly expensive or poor-quality goods at tourist attractions.