Dutch Hospital
Colombo
Copyright: Dan Lundberg/Flickr.comDutch Hospital
Dating back to the colonial era, the Dutch Hospital has served as a hospital for the Dutch officers, a police station after the country's independence, and in 2011, it was converted into a shopping and dining complex. A nice place to hang out, grab a bite, and marvel at beautifully preserved seventeenth-century colonial architecture.
Shopping
Modern air-conditioned malls are found adjacent to top-end hotels or in the same vicinity, and they are perfect for souvenirs such as traditional masks, batik, gems, and presentation packs of the famous Ceylon tea. For a more authentic shopping experience, visit the Pettah area and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of a busy Asian city. Anything and everything is on sale here, and haggling is well expected.