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Explore Lotus Tower: The Latest Attraction in Colombo

by | Nov 2, 2022

Lotus Tower in Colombo

History & Background

In 2012, Sri Lanka and China signed a contract to construct the tallest tower in South Asia, in Sri Lanka – making it one of the biggest construction efforts in the country. In 2019, the then President of Sri Lanka officially opened the tower but construction was not complete yet. In September 2022, parts of the tower were open and accessible to tourists.

Located in the heart of Colombo, on the waterfront of Beira Lake, the layout of this tower is inspired by the lotus flower, which in turn symbolizes purity in Buddhism (the significant religion practiced in the country). The tower has multiple functions such as a TV tower, communication services and leisure facilities such as hotels, restaurants, banquet halls, hotels with suites, auditoriums, museums, shopping malls and more.

A symbolic landmark of the island, the green and purple colored tower is now a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka!

Did you know?

  • Also known as “Nelum Kuluna”, the Lotus Tower is 365 meters tall, the tallest in South Asia, the 11th tallest in Asia and the 19th tallest in the world.
  • Due to its height, the tower can be seen from as far as 10kms from its site.
  • The construction of the tower took seven years to complete.
  • Inspired by the lotus flower, the tower design consists of 13 floors, 8 elevators and 4 entrances.
  • An interesting highlight is the revolving restaurant at the top which offers a 360 Degree scenic view of the city, completing one rotation every 90 minutes.
  • Facilities such as suites for guests to stay over are available at the Lotus Tower.
  • The petals of the lotus flowers are made of glass and the framework is made of steel, which is further illuminated with color-changing LED lights.
  • The tower is also illuminated with floodlights and beautifully decorated interiors.

Don’t Miss!

Things to do at the Lotus Tower:

  • Take a stroll with your loved ones to see the different parts of the tower such as malls, restaurants and other recreational facilities.
  • Try the different types of cuisines and restaurants located at various floors in the tower.
  • Shop till you drop – from clothes to accessories, shoes, bags, souvenirs and more, the third and fourth floors are where you’ll find most of the brands.
  • Hotels on the 5th floor give you options of checking into a relaxing room and taking a break from travelling. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view of the beautiful Beira Lake from your room.
  • The Observation Deck is a must-visit as it offers an exceptional view of the city as well as the beautifully decorated interiors of the tower.

Parts of the Tower

  1. The Tower Base: This forms the base parts of the tower, consisting of 9 floors, located at an elevation of 215 to 260 meters. Designed in the shape of a bud of the lotus flower, the petals of the base are decorated with lights that shine bright in different colors, making it a very attractive sight from the outside. The Tower Base consists of the following areas:
    1. Outdoor Space: includes a rooftop of about 54,000 square feet which is very useful for organizing events and shows.
    2. VIP Entrance: on the second floor, the tower base provides a massive shopping complex for VIPs, spreading to about 51,000 square feet.
    3. Shopping Centre: a popular space to explore on the first floor is a shopping center home to many popular brands in Colombo.
    4. Entrance Lobby: located on the ground floor, the Entrance Lobby is home to more shopping complexes, spreading to an area of 52,000 square feet.
    5. Basement: this is where the banquet hall and some famous restaurants are located.
  2. Tower Stem: This is the second part of the Lotus Tower which mainly consists of lifts to carry passengers and goods.
  3. Tower House: Being the main part of the tower, this is the most popular location as all leisure activities are located here. Shopping, adventure, fun and entertainment – it’s all here!
    1. Observation Deck: Located on the 7th floor of the tower house, the observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city of Colombo at a height of about 280 meters. Restaurants and other outlets are also available on this floor.
    2. Lotus Suite: Rent out a guest house, eat, drink, relax and enjoy the view.
    3. Revolving Restaurant: Offers famous Sri Lankan cuisine while taking you through a full 360 Degree rotation.
    4. Banquet Halls: From all the banquet halls in the Lotus Tower, the ones in the Tower House are the most elegant and popular ones. With a space of 15000 square feet, both halls can accommodate about 600-650 guests.
    5. Transmission Centers: Two floors in the Tower House are dedicated to transmission activities.
  4. Antenna: This is the prime spot of the tower and is located on the top part to manage the telecommunication of various TV and Radio networks.

Tips during your visit to Lotus Tower

  • The Lotus Tower can be reached by car from the Colombo International Airport in about an hour.
  • The Tower is open to visitors throughout the day, all year round.
  • Don’t forget to capture memories on your camera while on the observation deck.
  • You will have access to various restaurants, hotels and shopping outlets at the Lotus Tower.
  • The Lotus Tower is approximately 33kms from the Bandaranaike International Airport and takes about an hour to get there in a taxi.
  • Taking the bus would be cheaper but involves two different bus routes, short walks to get to the bust stands, and takes longer than a private vehicle.
  • The entry fee for tourists is about 20 USD; however, a concession is possible for students and families.