The city is best known for its British colonial architecture and its location at the base of the dramatic Zomba Plateau.

The town's British colonial past is reflected in the architecture of its older buildings and homes.

Its diverse cultural mix included British tobacco farmers and Dutch, German and U.S. emissaries.

The Zomba Gymkhana Club was where the Malawi Rock Shandy was created by the head barman Shadrack in the 1960s.

Next to the old parliament building is the botanical garden, which was established by the British, as well as the golf course in the city centre.

Zomba is the centre for the tobacco and dairy farms of the surrounding area, which also produces rice, corn (maize), fish, and softwoods.

A market can be found in the town centre, where farmers from surrounding villages sell their products, as well as secondhand clothes and basic consumer goods.

Local supermarkets, such as Peoples Trading Company, Metro and Shoprite are located near the bus depot.

A dozen, mainly Indian- and Chinese-owned, shops sell imported clothes, electrical appliances, bicycles and other basic goods.

The Ku Chawe Inn, situated right on the edge of the plateau, is the most luxurious hotel in the area.

Within the grounds there is a swimming pool, a football and netball field, a basketball court, a cross-country track, a playground and a nursery play area.

[citation needed] The school is non-profit making and is managed by an elected board of trustees from the parent community.

[citation needed] Located around 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the Old Capital city's town centre, this is a government-funded school founded in 1942 by the Catholic church.

In some parts, it rises to 1800 m in height and is covered with vast tracts of African juniper and Widdringtonia, and other mixed vegetation.

[citation needed] From the top of the plateau, it is possible to see Lake Chilwa to the east, Mount Mulanje to the southeast and the Shire River to the west.

National Bus Service as well as private run mini-buses connect Zomba with Liwonde (1hr, K1,500), Mangochi (2,5hrs, K 3,500), Balaka, Lilongwe and Lake Malawi.

Public transport within the city is organised by minibuses and taxis (approx K 2,000 for a journey within town; K 6,000 to go up the mountain).