Temples, mosques, lakes, parks and more to check out in Colombo

Beira Lake is perfect for a relaxing walk while admiring the city skyline. – Photos: Pexels

Walk the streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, and you will notice an interesting contrast.

Standing right in front of you may be a historical landmark, but surrounding it are high-rise buildings born of modern times. Cities like this are one of the most fascinating places to explore, because, in a way, you get to see their transformation unfold from old to new.

Colombo is a modern metropolis that doesn’t forget its past. Complemented by a lively coastline and urban greenery, you’ll find that it has a diverse landscape just waiting to be explored.

For Malaysians, getting there is easier now with the recent relaunch of Batik Air’s direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo.

Here are some of the places you can visit after touching down in Colombo.

Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque

Built in 1908, the historic Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque also goes by the name “red masjid”. One look at its exterior and you will see why.

Red-coloured, with white stripe accents, the mosque has become a popular tourist site for its unique appearance and multicultural heritage.

You can admire the architectural wonder inside and out when you visit. According to redmasjid.com, visiting the mosque requires no fee, so take note of that if you decide to visit.

Gangaramaya Temple is one of Colombo’s most important temples. — Unsplash

Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple is often described as one of the most important and oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo. Its architecture is said to showcase an interesting mix of influences from Sri Lanka, China, India and Thailand.

Inside you probably expect to see hundreds of Buddha statues and other religious relics. What you may not expect are vintage cars and various antiques. But all of these are what await you at this one-of-a-kind temple.

One of the biggest festivals held here is the annual Navam Perahera, a religious and cultural festival commemorating Buddha’s top disciples. This event usually takes place for two days in February.

Beira Lake

Speaking of Gangaramaya Temple, it is actually located close to Beira Lake. This means you can visit both places in a single day.

The centuries-old man-made lake is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll while admiring the city’s skyline. It also has the floating Seema Malaka Temple, which is used for meditation.

If you love birdwatching, this is one of the popular activities here too, as various bird species can be seen here.

Take a swan boat ride if you feel like exercising your legs more. A ride typically lasts for 30 minutes.

Viharamahadevi Park

Another park you can visit is the Viharamahadevi Park, touted as Colombo’s oldest and largest public park.

It was originally known as Victoria Park when it was built by the British colonial administration. Following Sri Lanka’s independence, it was renamed to its current appellation.

The Queen Victoria statue that once stood there has also been replaced with a towering, golden Buddha statue.

The park is located in front of the colonial-era Town Hall building, another historical place you can visit before or after your peaceful walk at the park.

Galle Face Green is a seaside promenade popular for sunsets. — Pexels

Galle Face Green

If you want to walk down a seaside promenade instead, head to Galle Face Green.

The urban park stretches along the coast, giving you a clear view of the Indian Ocean as you enjoy your sunset stroll.

Expect a crowd though, as the boulevard is highly popular not just with tourists but with locals, too, during sunsets.

Arrive before 6pm and you will get to witness a unique cultural tradition – the flag lowering ceremony that’s done daily as the sun sets below the horizon.

Afterwards, head to the night market, where you can get your fill of local fare.

World Trade Centre Colombo

In Malaysia, we have the PETRONAS Twin Towers; in Sri Lanka, it’s the World Trade Centre Colombo that fills the citizens’ hearts with pride.

Usually referred to as WTCC, the building features 152m-tall twin towers. Standing tall in the business district, you can stop by to take photos with the iconic structure.

Not all areas of the building are accessible to the public, however, but you can of course visit the four-storey retail area. Here you can do some shopping and dining when the weather gets a little too hot and humid for long walks outdoors.

Colombo Lotus Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Sri Lanka. — Pexels

Lotus Tower Colombo

Standing at a height of 350m (some say 360m), Lotus Tower Colombo is the tallest skyscraper in Sri Lanka. It is also touted as the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia.

Alternatively referred to as Nelum Kuluna, the tower has several places you can visit, including shops, a rooftop promenade and a revolving restaurant.

You can buy a tourist pass to access the observation deck on the 29th floor, which is open from 9am to 10pm. The purchase can be made via the tower’s official website.

You can also visit Pixel Bloom, described as South Asia’s first immersive digital art experience, which is located on the ground floor.