Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its name means "city on the
plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of the Nuwara Eliya District,
with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is
considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by
Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate –
the coolest area in Sri Lanka.
The city was founded by Samuel Baker, the explorer of Lake Albert and the upper Nile in 1846. Nuwara Eliya's
climate lent itself to becoming the prime sanctuary of the British civil servants and planters in Ceylon.
Nuwara Eliya, called Little England, was a hill country retreat where the British colonialists could immerse
in their pastimes such as fox hunting, deer hunting, elephant hunting, polo, golf and cricket.
Colombo to Nuwara Eliya distance 173.8km
Bomburu Ella, also known as Perawella Falls, is a waterfall at Uva-Paranagama Divisional Secretariat of Sri Lanka. It is located near the border of Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts, approximately 15 km from Welimada town. Bomburu Ella is the widest waterfall in Sri Lanka and consists of several small waterfalls grouped together. The source of the falls is a lake located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
Hakgala is a mountain situated in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka at 2,169 m above mean sea level, most parts of the mountain are covered with forest belonging to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. Hakgala Botanical Garden is situated on the northeastern slope of the Hakgala Mountain. The southwestern side of the mountain has a wet climate compared to northeastern slope since southwestern part faces directly to southwest Monsoon. According to the native language of Sri Lanka – Sinhala, the name of the mountain hakgala’ has the meaning of jaw-rock.
Great Western Mountain is the 7th highest mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located in Nuwara Eliya District. Its trail is ranked as difficult due to its steep incline and difficult, unclear path.
Dunsinane Falls is a waterfall in Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. It is situated in Pundaluoya village and between the Tea estates known as Dunsinan and Sheen. Therefore sometimes this falls is called as Dunsinane Sheen falls. The water fall is created by the river called Pundalu Oya which is a tributary of Kotmale Oya.
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is one of the oldest Golf Clubs in Sri Lanka. Established in the late 19th century, it is located in the hill station of Nuwara Eliya. It is an 18-hole golf course.
There are several mountains in Sri Lanka but this one is the most special. Donning a height of 2,524 meters above the sea level, Pidurutalagala is Sri Lanka’s tallest mountain peak and one of the most beautiful places in Nuwara Eliya. Also known as Mount Pedro, this peak is so high that it is one of the major highlights of Central Province landscapes of Sri Lanka. Public is not allowed to climb this mountain because it serves as a base for the army of Sri Lanka.
Situated within the Horton Plains National Park, Thotupola Peak is the thirsd highest peak in Sri Lanka and your trip to Nuwara Eliya is incomplete without visiting this place. This 2,357 meter high mountain in the Nuwara Eliya region is also known as Thotupola Kanda in the local language. This is one of the most popular tourist places in Nuwara Eliya. Apart from the natural beauty of this place, the mythological belief associated with it also attracts tourists. In the context of the ancient Indian epic – Ramayana, it is believed that this was this peak was the landing site of Ravana when he had kidnapped Goddess Sita.
Kudahagala is one of the most breathtaking places for sightseeing in Nuwara Eliya. It is also known as Agrabopat Hills. Flaunting a height of 2320 meters, this is the 4th tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Dominating the landscape, this massive mountain stands surrounded by lush green monutains ranges. Climb Kudahagala to get the breathtaking view of the valley below.
Situated in the town of Hatton in Nuwara Eliya, Laxapana falls is the eight highest waterfall in Sri Lanka. It cascades amidst lush greenery that streams into a natural pool at the bottom. No wonder it is one of the most famous tourist places in Nuwara Eliya. It is cons idered to be the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka.
If you are visiting places in Nuwara Eliya, make sure you visit the beautiful falls. Located in the Pussellawa district, in the city of Kandy, it is known for scenic landscapes comprising of highlands, ridges, plains, streams and hilly mountains. The best attractions include the Ramboda Falls. It is lcoated on the orad between Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Make sure you don’t miss it.
There are several numerous national parks in Sri Lanka. The Galway’s Land National Park is one of the few well-known national parks in the city, and one of the smallest as well. It comprises of many exotic birds and animals, coexisting to form biodiversity. It is one of the best places to see in Nuwara Eliya if you like to spend time amidst nature. The park is spreac across an area of 27 acres and houses about 20 rare migrant bird species and 30 native species.
Seetha Amman Kovil is a Temple near the Hakgala Botanical Garden is a must visit among the places to visit in Nuwara Eliya. It is must visit as it has a lot of Mythological importance. It is believed that after Ravana captured Sita, she used to come here to pray to Rama regularly. Rama was her husband and also supposed to be one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Anyone who loves mythology will love this place.
Horton Plains in Sri Lanka, is the coldest and windiest location in the country. It consists of ecosystems such as Montane evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands and aquatic ecosystem. At an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level, Horton Plains spreads across over 3,169 hectares of the highest tableland of the island. In view of the large number of endemic flora and fauna species, Horton Plains was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 30th July 2010.
The Hakgala Botanical Gardens are believed to be the highest altitude botanical gardens in the world. On the road to Badulla, stop at the green gates and visit the beautifully manicured gardens full of roses and orchids and other plant species.
Nuwara Eliya is hill country, meaning that it’s also tea country. There are hundreds of acres of tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya and plenty of tea factories to visit in the area. A little further away from town is St. Clair’s Falls, one of the widest falls in Sri Lanka and definitely worth a visit.
The largest and more prestigious dairy farm is also in Nuwara Eliya. Just a little bit out of town and you reach the rolling hills of Ambewela where the cows roam free to graze in turns. Visitors can see the milking stations of the dairy cows and see the calves in the nursery. The cows are well taken care of and the visit is quite pleasant. The farm is pretty big so there is a lot of walking. Drink a fresh glass of milk at the cafe station up the hill and buy some cheese to eat.
No visit to Nuwara Eliya is complete without a visit to the Adma Agro Farm and lots of strawberry eating. Strawberries love colder weather and Nuwara Eliya is perfect for them. Eat them off the plants or in the cafe with cream, condensed milk or drink in a juice!
The Bale Bazaar in Nuwara Eliya is aptly nicknamed the Winter Market because they sell winter clothes for the cold Nuwara Eliya weather. Locals who live abroad shop for inexpensive winter fare here before going back. If you forgot a sweatshirt or want to have a fun stroll, head to the market.
The main park in Nuwara Eliya is called Victoria Park, in honor of Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee coronation in 1897. The park spreads out on 27 acres of land and is full of foreign trees and flowers. It’s the perfect place for a fresh natural walk. There is a little train for kids to enjoy with a playground too. At quiet times, plenty of native birds flock the trees and bridwatchers come to see them.
Gregory Lake is a huge lake in the middle of the Nuwara Eliya. There is a calm park next to it with walkways and benches to rest on. There are horses roaming which are offered for rides, plus for a few hundred rupees, tourists can take a 20-minute speedboat ride on the lake. The cool air is lovely on the water and the sights are unbeatable. Gregory Lake was created by Governor William Gregory between 1872 and 1877. It was used for watersports during the British colonial period.
Only a few hours from Colombo, Nuwara Eliya sits in the hill country in eternal temperate winter and is charmingly called “Little England”, due to it being where British settlers built their holiday bungalows and spent their down time.