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Colombo Introduction Walking Tour II, Colombo

Colombo Introduction Walking Tour II (Self Guided), Colombo

The capital and the largest city of Sri Lanka, Colombo is a busy and vibrant metropolis with a mixture of modern life, colonial architecture and ancient ruins. Galle Face Green, Old Parliament House, Khan Clock Tower and many other notable attractions make up this orientation walk.
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Colombo Introduction Walking Tour II Map

Guide Name: Colombo Introduction Walking Tour II
Guide Location: Sri Lanka » Colombo (See other walking tours in Colombo)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 9
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.4 Km or 3.4 Miles
Author: Linda
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Galle Face Green
  • Old Parliament House
  • St. Peter's Church
  • Khan Clock Tower
  • Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque
  • The Dutch Period Museum
  • Grand Mosque
  • Wolfendhal Church
  • New Kathiresan Kovil
1
Galle Face Green

1) Galle Face Green

The Galle Face is a promenade which stretches for half kilometre along the coast in the heart of financial and business district of Colombo. The promenade was initially laid out in 1859 by the British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Ward, and was also used for horse racing and as a golf course. It was known as the Colpitty Race Course.

The Galle Face Green is currently a 5 hectare ribbon strip of land between Galle Road and Indian Ocean which is now the largest open space in Colombo. This is a popular destination for children, vendors, teenagers, lovers, kite flyers, merrymakers and all those who want to indulge in their favorite pastimes next to the sea under the open sky. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is busy with day trippers, picnickers and food vendors.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
2
Old Parliament House

2) Old Parliament House (must see)

The Old Parliament is one of the most impressive buildings in the city, located just a few meters from the Indian Ocean. Visitors will be amazed by its resemblance to the Greek Temple of Goddess Athena, both of them designed in the Ionic style. Its history began with Sir Henry McCallum, who proposed to build a single building for the Legislative Council. The idea was accepted by the Government and on January 29, 1930, the Parliament was opened. Now it hosts the Presidential Secretariat and the Finance Ministry.
3
St. Peter's Church

3) St. Peter's Church (must see)

In the period of Portuguese occupation, the site where now stands Saint Peter's Church, was occupied by a Dominican monastery and a charity hall. The Dutch converted the structure into a government house where councils meetings took place. In 1804, the British Governor, Frederick North, decided to turn the house into Garrison Church, which was visited and blessed, in 1816, by the Bishop of the Anglo Indian church. Even if its exterior does not look like a church, the interior is decorated with a beautiful altar, tablets on the walls and a wide aisle.
4
Khan Clock Tower

4) Khan Clock Tower (must see)

The Khan Clock Tower was built in Colombo, Sri Lanka by the Khan Family of Bombay. The Clock Tower is a popular landmark and marks the entrance to Pettah Market. It was built in the early 20th century by the family of Framjee Bhikhajee Khan. This Parsi family hailed from Bombay, India and also owned the famous Colombo Oil Mills as well as other business interests in Ceylon, as Sri Lanka was then called.

The clock tower also provided a working water fountain, but this no longer functions. The plate on the clock tower carries the inscription: "This clock tower and fountain was erected to the memory of the late Framjee Bhikhajee Khan by his sons Bhikhajee and Munchershaw Framjee Khan as a token of affectionate gratitude and dedicated through the Municipal Council to the citizens of Colombo on the fourth day of January 1923, the 45th anniversary of his death." The Tower is roughly four storeys high and is situated on a landscaped roundabout that marks the entrance to the famous market.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
5
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque

5) Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque (must see)

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is one of the most impressive buildings of its kind, decorated in red and white brick. The mosque was built in 1909, designed by architect H.L. Saibo Lebbe, and for many years was considered a landmark of the city by sailors who were approaching the shores of Colombo. Still, Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is one of the most visited spots in the city.
6
The Dutch Period Museum

6) The Dutch Period Museum (must see)

The Colombo Dutch Museum is a museum that covers the history of the Dutch colonial rule in Sri Lanka. The old Dutch House on Prince Street, Pettah which houses this museum was built in the latter part of the 17th century and was initially the residence of Count August Carl Van Ranzow along with five other houses of the elite. Today, the sides of the street are choc-a-block with boutiques and stores of Moor traders. The restoration of this building commenced in 1977 and was completed in 1981. This museum was opened to the public in 1982. This building embodies the unique architectural features of a colonial Dutch town house. The museum while displaying the Dutch legacy with the artefacts viz. furniture, ceramics, coins, arms etc. portrays facets of contemporary life and culture.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
7
Grand Mosque

7) Grand Mosque (must see)

Grand Mosque is one of the most important edifices in the religious life of the country's Muslim community, which was eager to approve the majority of decisions made by the mosque's committee. The first mention of the Mosque dates back to 1505, when the Portuguese anchored on Colombo's shore. It is believed that the beginning of Grand Mosque's history can be linked to Arab traders, who were carrying trade objects between Europe and the Orient, between the first and sixteenth centuries.
8
Wolfendhal Church

8) Wolfendhal Church

Wolfendhal Church, whose name comes from a place called Wolvendaal, was built in the eighteenth century, and is the oldest Protestant church in the country and a vestige of Dutch architecture, representing a symbol of unity between Dutch and Sri Lankan cultures. It was established in 1749 as a replacement for the old Roman-Catholic church, on a hill that offers amazing views of the city. The church is designed in a Doric style, with its base constructed in the form of a cross and the roof resembling a dome.
9
New Kathiresan Kovil

9) New Kathiresan Kovil

The New Kathiresan Kovils is a Hindu temple, situated in the Pettah district and dedicated to the God of war and victory, Scanda or Murugan. Every year the Kathiresan Temple is the starting point for one of the most important festivals for Hindu worshippers; it takes place in July - August and is called Hindu Vel festival.

Walking Tours in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Create Your Own Walk in Colombo

Create Your Own Walk in Colombo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Colombo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tour of Fort and Pettah

Tour of Fort and Pettah

Colombo's main districts are Fort and Pettah, which represent the financial and business centres of the city. The most impressive hotels and corporations are situated here, yet there are many spiritually valued spots that have been preserved. Take this tour and discover this lively region.

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.2 Km or 4.5 Miles
Colombo Introduction Walking Tour I

Colombo Introduction Walking Tour I

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, the country ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British, has a long history reflected in the city's architecture – a mixture of colonial buildings, modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. The majestic Colombo National Museum borders the sprawling Viharamahadevi Park and its giant Buddha. These and other attractions of Colombo make up this...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.9 Km or 4.3 Miles