Nuwara-Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is well known for scenic landscape, cool climate and tea production as well. The meaning of the name is “ city of light” and it is popular as “Little England” because of colonial era bungalows and the cool climate. The town is surrounded with Golf course, Race Course, Horses, Rose gardens and stunning tea estates.
Nuwara Eliya is located in the Central hills of Sri Lanka, and it is a city that lies at 6,199 feet above sea level. The journey takes through winding roads, tea estates, cascading waterfalls and rocky mountains. The distance from Colombo to Nuwara Eliya is 171.1km and it takes 5 hours to complete the journey.
Nuwara Eliya was discovered by Dr. John Davy in 1818, as a city with a similar climate as England and also a place full of wild animals and Asoka trees.
The Grand hotel of Nuwara Eliya was built by Sir Edward Barnes, governor from 1824 to 183. It was built as his home known as “Barnes Hall”. Samuel Baker, an explorer discovered Nuwara Eliya as a place which has the exact climate of England. He also introduced farming and Mr Samuel Baker was also contributed in building “Baker’s Farm, a hospital ward at the Nuwara Eliya base hospital known today as Bakers Ward. His work at Nuwara Eliya was recognised by the broadest water fall in Nuwara Eliya was named after him and is called “ Bakers Falls”. Sir William Gregory was initiative in building Gregory Lake and he spread the message that Nuwara Eliya is an idle place agriculture and specially for coffee, Tea, Cinkona and animal farming.
The buildings that contain the features of colonial period are Queens Cottage, Grand Hotel, Hill Club, St.Andrew’s Hotel and Town Post Office.
Nuwara Eliya has a much cooler climate, with a mean annual temperature of 16 °C. Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate, therefore it is pretty cold at night in the winter. It is a must-see location especially from February to April.
In the winter months, there can be frost at night, but it warms up rapidly during the day because of the high sun angle.
Since April is the summer season in Sri Lanka, the locals rush to Nuwara Eliya in search of a cool climate and fun. The festive season starts on April annually in a ceremonial manner. The band show is a crucial event in this ceremony, which all the local school bands participate.
Special Safari Tours, Sports Shooting, Horse Races, 4 X 4 Jeep Races, Motor Cross, Carnival are some of April season events. Season culminates in the nine-furlong (1811 m) Governor’s Cup at the Nuwara Eliya Race-course, Golf Tournaments at the Nuwara aya Golf Club, and the flower show in the end of the month.
Motor racing comes alive with the Mahagastotte and Radella Hill Climbs, the former being run since 1934. The Nuwara Eliya Road Race and the 4X4 Lake Cross on edge of Lake Gregory attracts plenty of enthusiasm.
The best attractions of the town are the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is popular for bird watching and is an attractive and well-used oasis. The bird species such as Indian blue robin, pied thrush or scaly thrush and the Kashmir flycatcher are lurking in the denser undergrowth.
Galway’s Land Bird Sanctuary, is an area of montane forest, close to Gregory Lake. It encompasses an area of 0.6km2, which is a habitat to endemic birds and mammals species including wild boar and barking deer.
The distance from Nuwara Eliya to Horton Plains National Park is 23.7Km. This is a key wildlife area of an open grassy woodland. Species such as the leopard, sambar, and the endemic purple faced langur. Endemic highland birds include the dull-blue flycatcher, Sri Lanka white-eye, and yellow-eared bulbul. The must-see tourist attraction in the plains is World’s End. The return route from the World’s End is through the attractive Baker’s Falls. Visiting the place early morning is recommendable to observe wild life and to view World’s End before mists close in during the later part of the morning.
This Little England is an adequate location for agriculture, growing of vegetables, fruit and flowers. This landscape has the crops of growing potatoes, carrots, leeks, and roses interspersed with tea bushes on the steeper slopes.
Marvellous waterfall ‘Lovers Leap’ is set among tea plantations. It is said that it is named after a young couple who decided to be bound together forever by jumping off the cliff to their demise.
Hindu temple called Seetha Kovil is another important place. It can be seen while approaching Badulla from Nuwara Eliya. The temple is in the Seetha Eliya temple. Folklore says that the mighty king Ravana kidnapped princess Seeta who was the queen of Rama and hid her where the temple currently located.
Lake Gregory is located in the center of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. It is a prominent reservoir surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and mountains and a perfect place for photographers as well.
Activities to do near Gregory Lake:
Visit Bomburu Ella Waterfall
This is popular as the widest waterfall, Located around 25 minutes from Nuwara Eliya. It is the most beautiful waterfall in Nuwara Eliya.
It is one of the best place in Nuwara Eliya to relax, have a picnic and take a bath.
Visit a Strawberry Farm
On the outskirts of Nuwara Eliya, there are many strawberry farms you can visit. At these farms, you can pick fresh strawberries, explore the farms, or even have a strawberry milkshake or dessert.
Wander Hakgala Botanic Gardens
As the second-largest of only 5 botanic gardens in Sri Lanka, Hakgala Botanical Gardens are a very popular thing to do in Nuwara Eliya. The gardens feature over 10,000 different species of flora all displayed in a variety of manicured gardens and forests to walk through.
Take a Walk in Victoria Park
Victoria Park is a park in the middle of Nuwara Eliya and reminded me of a miniature botanical garden. The entire area is fenced off so you must enter at one of the entrance gates and pay the 300 LKR entrance fee.
Hike to Lover’s Leap waterfall
Lover’s Leap Waterfall is a very famous waterfall in Nuwara Eliya. The waterfall got its name from a love story about a prince who fell in love with a beautiful girl. Their love was forbidden by the king so the couple jumped off Lovers Leap Waterfall.
Visit Mlesna Tea Castle St Clair
Ever wanted to drink tea in a castle? You will get this thrilling experience at Mlesna Tea Castle St Clair.
The location is around a 40-minute drive from Nuwara Eliya but this place is worth the drive. Head upstairs to enjoy some tea, coffee, and delicious treats.
Explore Galway’s Land National Park
Galway’s Land National Park is a small national park within Nuwara Eliya city limits that was created to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It is a popular place for bird watchers to go as there are more than 20 rare bird species that can be found in the park.
Drive the Moon Plains
The Moon Plains is one of the more popular things to do in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.
At the Moon Plains, you just jump in a jeep and get driven around a beautiful area. The top viewpoint is said to resemble that of the World’s End hike and is the perfect option for those that don’t have time to visit the Horton Plain National Park.
Walk to the top of Single Tree Hill
Single Tree Hill is a small hill that you can hike (or drive) to a lookout right in Nuwara Eliya. The hike takes around 90 minutes to get to the top where you are rewarded with views of the town, lake, mountains, and surrounding tea fields.
Tour a Tea Factory and Tea Field
Visiting a tea factory is a must-do activity in the area of Nuwara Eliya! If you haven’t already visited a tea factory in Ella or Haputale (as they are all pretty much the same) then you should do so in Nuwara Eliya!
World’s End Hike in Horton Plains National Park
The World’s End hike is one of the most famous in Sri Lanka. This 9km long hike is a loop in Horton Plains National Park which offers an incredible viewpoint about halfway through. The steep cliff at the viewpoint is where this infamous hike gets its name for looking like “the end of the world”
Drive to the top of Pidurutalagala (Sri Lanka’s highest peak!)
From Nuwara Eliya, it is possible to go up to Sri Lanka’s tallest peak! Sitting at 2,524 m (8,281 ft) above sea level, this viewpoint (Pidurutalagala) offers panoramic views of the island! And the best part is you can drive all the way to the top!
The entrance gates are about a 10-minute drive from town with the highest viewpoint another 30-minute drive. It costs 200 LKR per vehicle and foreigners need to present their passports.
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