WORDS: JOSMIN ONG PHOTOGRAPHS: FLICKR - ARIAN ZWEGERS, FLICKR - JÉRÔME DECQThrough the Cities
Sri Lanka is a small but intriguing island country that boasts up
to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites despite its land area of
65,610sqkm. The remains of these ancient and medieval civilisations
stood the test of time and thrived remarkably against world-class
attractions. One of which is Galle, the country’s most historically
interesting town with its strong scent of spices and wonderful
collection of Dutch-colonial buildings. Aside from being a city of
trade, both past and present, it is also expanding its cultural arts
scene with a burst of new boutique shops, cafes and hotels owned by
local and foreign artists, writers, photographers, designers and poets.
Colombo, Sri Lanka’s ocean city and capital, is a bustling
metropolitan city with plenty of beaches that have transformed
into a worthy destination in recent years. Drive through Cinnamon
Gardens, the country’s swankiest address, with elegantly tree-lined
streets and posh mansions of the wealthy and powerful. It is hard to
imagine the cinnamon plantations that covered it a century ago but
it was named rightfully so. The centre piece of the area is a 50-acre
campus, University of Colombo. MICE planners may consider The
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMIC), the
first purpose built convention center in the country. Shopaholics
will be thrilled to enter ODEL, one of the best shopping destinations
within the country for the latest trends and Barefoot, the city’s
hippest hang-out with plenty of bespoke products within the shops,
gallery, café and bars.Natural Jewels of
Sri Lanka
Uncover this hidden gem in the form of a quick developing
country that is home to a multitude of cultural experiences,
timeless ruins, welcoming people and most importantly –
wildlife treasures such as whales and dolphinsHeritage Hour
The massive Portuguese and Dutch Fort in Galle, however, was
crowned the best-preserved sea fort in South Asia as well as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Feast your eyes upon a superb blend of
architecture with fortifications that resemble those in the coastal areas
of Portugal and find yourself captivated by the working community
within this district – administrative offices, courts, export companies
and lots of positive buzz of energy in the air. To the south of the island,
lies Colombo fort, one that used to be surrounded by the sea and a
moat on the landward side. Today, it has transformed into a curious
mix of brash modern structure including the World Trade Centre, tallest
building in Sri Lanka, and red-brick institutions from the colonial-era. A
good landmark would be the clock tower at the junction of Chatham
St and Janadhipathi Mawatha (once named Queen St), which was
originally a lighthouse built in 1857.
From Colombo, drive four hours to Sigiriya, one of the most valuable
historical monuments of Sri Lanka. This dramatic central plain has an
iconic rocky outcrop that serves as the single most dramatic sight in Sri
Lanka. The rock plateau was formed from magma of an extinct volcano,
200m higher than the surrounding jungles. Its view astonishes all visitors
with the unique harmony between nature and human imagination. The
fortress complex includes remnants of a ruined palace, surrounded by
an extensive network of fortifications, vast gardens, ponds, canals, alleys
and fountains. Pack your hiking shoes because this excursion will take
you approximately three to four hours uphill and down.ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE